Page 65 of The Pacifist
"Ehhh," the large young guard began, “It’s just that you were talking about Anne."
"Yes, I’m aware. What about her?"
"Umm, she has a lot of admirers.”
Pearl inhaled through her nose. “Are you talking about yourself?”
“Yes, but not just me.” He looked down when he confessed. "We’ve been trading pictures of her.”
“Have you?” Pearl spoke in a calm voice but because I knew her so well, I detected a bit of annoyance. "How would you men like it if single women in the Motherlands traded pictures of you in nothing but your underwear?”
The four guards lit up, and Jules, one of our more seasoned guards, answered, “I think I speak for all of us when I say we would be flattered.”
Pearl sighed. “Never mind then. I’ll pretend I didn’t hear about it.” Turning to me, she asked, “Would you like to come with me to the school? I’m hoping to brainstorm with the children to get new ideas on how to campaign.”
“I can’t today. I promised my dad I’d stay home and I have some things I need to follow up on.”
“All right. If I’m not home by seven, will you swing by Khan and make sure he eats something? He’s working way too hard.”
“I’ll check in on him. But you know he’ll just brush me off.”
Pearl moved to the drone. “Only if you don’t stand your ground with him. You can do that, can’t you?”
I thought about all my practice in front of my mirror a little while ago. “I can be firm. I promise!”
Pearl gave me a long glance. "I know you can, Mila."
Her words meant a lot to me. Pearl was graceful and kind, but also persuasive and strong-minded.
As I watched her take off with the four guards, I felt empowered by her trust in me.
CHAPTER 14
Answers from Anne
Jonah
My mother was visibly nervous and kept fiddling with her pocket when I met up with my family in the House of Mediation.
Cole had been allowed to be present and stood against the wall chewing on something.
“Good to see you.” I took both his hands. “Peace.”
“Yeah, peace to you too. What do you think of this place?” Cole threw a nod to the walls, which were decorated with happy colors and inspirational quotes.
Being right isn’t nearly as satisfying as being together.
Few can be kind to people who aren’t kind to them. Can you?
Grow as a person and you’ll rise above insults and hurt.
Being kind beats being right.
I brought my focus back to Cole. “It’s kind of fitting in a place like this, wouldn’t you say?”
“Hmm…”
“Did I tell you that I once came here on a fieldtrip with my school? We sat for a whole day and listened to the mediators work. It’s fascinating to watch, really.”
