This choice: Use Quentin to do the research • Go Back...Chapter #31People, They Are A-Changin' by: Nostrum   As much as you’d want to take on mayor Chen immediately, Claire’s comment made you think. (Well, it was really Tina’s comment, but she asked you to remember it.) You’ve been very lucky. Anything could’ve gone wrong, but so far it hasn’t. What if this is the moment you run out of it?
You’d rather not go blind, which means doing some research. You want to know if someone’s got tabs on Tessa – specifically the cops or the FBI – but also where the pens come from. Someone must have made them, and you’re pretty sure Tessa didn’t.
And the best way to do that research is through the Internet. Claire’s better than you at doing research – you figure she’s got everything to be a scientist – but you feel you could get someone else’s help.
Thus... “Not now. We need to know what we’re facing. I mean, how did Barbara and Cassandra’s dad got ahold of the pens in the first place?”
“Yeah,” she agrees. “That’s so weird. Also, where does the extra biomass goes?”
“Bio-what?”
She grunts. “Muscles, bones, organs, blood – y'know, everything that makes up a body besides skin and nerves!”
“I don’t think we’ll get that far,” you tell her. “I was thinking about putting on Quentin and help you with the research.”
“Uh,” she questions you. “Who the heck is Quentin, and how he’s gonna help us?”
“He’s the guy that was wearing Cassandra.”
She sighs, shaking her head. “Davey, you really think it’s a good idea?”
“He knows how to get around computers. If we’re gonna check the Internet without getting caught, he’s our best bet.”
“Alright. That sounds fair. You’ve still got a big problem, though.”
“Which one?”
“You’re gonna put on the guy that put on Cassie’s skin. You think she’s gonna like this?”
“I was getting to it!” you tell her, though she’s not wrong in pointing that out. “I’ll need you to help me keep an eye on her. I don’t wanna traumatize her.”
“You should tell her about your plan.” She leaves you deep in thought, since you feel it’s a fate as morbid as what Cassandra’s dad could imagine, but at least it’ll smooth things with her. “Davey, I’m pretty sure she won’t mind – I know she thinks he’s a creep without talking to her.”
“And what about me?”
“You’re my idiot brother,” she says without hesitation. “But if you ask me? I think she’s got something for dorky heroes.”
--
You wake up for church, as usual for every Sunday. What’s not usual is how heavy and nervous you feel. Maybe it’s the guilt of letting your mother wear Ashley, knowing it’s wrong.
She’s not going, but Barbara is – in your mother’s guise. Your mother helped her choose an attire, but she’s stumbling a lot, and you have to carry her through service. Seeing Tina at the distance makes it harder for Claire and you; she’s not very religious – none of you are – but she can be judgmental, and you fear she’ll judge you once she sees her.
To your fortune, neither Tina nor your dad approach you, leaving almost immediately. That doesn’t save you, however, from your girlfriend. “What’s up with your sister?” Jessica asks, as Claire and Katie split away to talk.
“She’s still angry about...” You look at Barbara, terrified at everyone looking at her, and whisper to her ear. “...the divorce.”
“Why? Out of everyone, I thought she’d be the last to support your dad.”
“She thinks we’re too harsh on him.” You notice as how Barbara’s trying to maneuver Mrs. Hunt, prompting you to rescue her. “It’s because Mom left to gather her thoughts. Isn’t that right, Mom?”
“Uh...” She glares nervously at Mrs. Hunt. “Yeah.”
“But being with aunt Louise and Grams and Gramps helped a lot.”
“Yeah,” Barbara says, playing your game. “They were very supportive.”
“Still don’t get it, missus Anderson. If you were with your folks, why Tina would be so angry at you?”
“I guess out of everyone, she’s the one that resents our separation the most. But I don’t blame her.”
“Marie,” Mrs. Hunt states, giving her support. “I know it must be hard, but Paul did you wrong. Twenty-five years of marriage, down the drain?”
“I know. But he’s still their father.”
“And he’ll still be their father after you two remake your life. Look at me. You think I crawled myself into a corner when I learned about George’s affair?” Barbara stays silent, but you notice her shock at the revelation. “I remade my life, Marie – and you will, as well.”
“Yeah,” she meekly claims. “I guess.”
“And remember, you have David and Claire’s support. Tina will come to terms with your decision in time.”
“Thanks.” Barbara grabs Mrs. Hunt’s hands and accepts her hug, yet that didn’t help ease her. To your surprise, Claire comes to the rescue.
“I’ve told Mom the same thing, ma’am, but it’s still a fresh wound. Anyways, I told Katie I’d talk to her later – if we’re not too busy helping Mom, maybe David and I can go pay a visit?”
“Sure!” Mrs. Hunt stated. “You’re always welcome to come. Marie, you can come in as well.”
“I appreciate it, but I’m too busy at home. Especially now that Tina’s not around.”
“When you’re less busy, then. Just don’t be a stranger, alright?”
As you send the Hunts off – Jessica with a kiss, Katie and Mrs. Hunt with a couple touches – you step outside, only to notice Tina standing on a corner, looking at you. “Asked Dad if he didn't mind giving you guys a lift.”
“We walked our way here,” you tell your sister. “We can return home on foot.”
“It’s cloudy.” (She’s right, but you don’t want to accept because of it.)
“It’s alright. You shouldn’t do this if it makes you feel uncomfortable.”
“I’m doing this because I want to talk for a bit.” She drags Barbara aside, prompting you to follow her. “Listen - I know the truth about what’s happening. Davey and Claire told me already.”
This relaxes Barbara, though not enough – Tina can be that fierce. “Look - I know this can be hard for you, but I want you to know I don’t enjoy doing this.”
“I appreciate it. It’s very sensible from you. Now, can you let me talk to my brother and sister for a while?”
“Oh, uh...” Barbara steps away, nodding.
“Good.” Tina drags you aside, finding an inconspicuous place. “I thought about what you said, Davey. I’m not gonna tell whoever’s inside that skin about what Mom’s doing to her sister.”
“But?”
“No, there’s no strings attached. I know Mom’s probably destroyed by what I did. I’m not proud of it.”
“Then why--?” You shut Claire’s mouth, as you suspect something must have changed in Tina’s attitude.
“I’m not going to change my mind – while she’s inside Ashley, I won’t return. What Mom’s doing to that woman and to her sisters is wrong, but there’s no point in trying to convince her.” You notice Tina’s just as destroyed as your mother. “I was thinking about what you were saying, Davey.”
“I told you. We’re gonna call the authorities, Sis. We’re just trying to figure out who to tell this to.”
“That’s why I wanted to talk to you.” You cock your head at her odd request. “What you did was really stupid, Davey. You’re not one of those guys in the movies, with all the skills and connections; you were very lucky your stupid plan worked.”
“I know. I’m trying to be cautious, though, because I can’t trust just about anyone.”
“That's not the point, Davey. I don’t know why you’re trying to be the hero for these women, but I really like you’re thinking about them. That, well... that you’re helping them without strings attached. Maybe if Mom thought of this, she’ll change her mind.”
Don’t think she’s gonna, you tell yourself. Though maybe if Mom talked to Jessica’s mom... Hell, maybe even Jimmy’s mom...
“Just don’t get over your head, y’hear? If you need my help calling the cops or something, I’m ready to help. Just because I’m angry with Mom doesn’t mean I’m gonna stop being your sister.”
“Alright,” Claire and you mutter.
“Good. Hop in. Dad’s gonna give you a lift home.” As you follow her, Tina makes a strange follow-up question. “Say, why didn’t Ashley come in?”
--
“Can I come in?” you ask Cassandra as you knock on the door. Claire’s with you, and you’re grabbing one of the garment bags.
“Yeah,” you hear her. You notice she’s lost some of the wariness since she arrived. As you step into Tina’s room, you even notice her smiling. “Thanks for helping us.”
“You’ve already thanked us a lot,” you tell her. “And besides, we haven’t done much.”
“I know you will.” She looks around the room and chuckles. “Feels like if it were my own room.”
“Well,” Claire explained. “My sister and you are around the same age, so I figured it’d feel comfortable to you.”
“Yeah... So, what’s that you need to talk to me about?”
“Right!” You show her one of the garment bags, and she winces. “I was asking if you didn’t mind if I, uh...”
“That’s... not one of the other skins, right?”
“It’s the guy that was wearing you. We, uh... Might need his help.”
You see her freak out, and a slap from Claire to your neck. “Dummy. What Davey here’s saying is that he’s gonna put him in and use his knowledge to find out people who might help us.”
“Oh...!” That quells down her nerves. “Yeah. Maybe that way he’ll learn a lesson.”
“I wanted to ask since, y’know, it might startle you.”
“If he deserves it? Go ahead. Might as well do something good with him other than being a pervert.”
That gives you pause. If Cassandra learns what your mother’s doing with Ashley, she might have a breakdown. But the way she responded, she has a sense of justice just as yours. Maybe you could ease your mother’s transition into Ashley if one of her sisters knew?
Especially when she makes her next statement. “And if I can help you with this? Count me in.” | Members who added to this interactive story also contributed to these: |
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