Sins of Mine - Mary E. Twomey Page 0,8
together?”
I shrug. “It hasn’t yet. Jen is great because she understands that some ailments need medicine, while others just need kindness and time. But not everyone on her team is going to hold to that same philosophy. I need the census people to comb their surveys for therapists. In fact…” I pull out my phone and text Jen my instructions. She’s the only other person in the camp with a cell phone.
Camp, not commune. I don’t care what everyone’s calling it.
Once that’s properly delegated, I switch that item from “to-do” to the “check on” column. That one is also growing at too rapid a rate, though I’m sure soon enough that will get delegated. It’s hard for me to know which campers to trust, other than the four with whom I’ve shared a cell.
Charlotte keeps urging me to hand off some of the responsibility, but I’m not ready. Everyone hated me before. If I screw up and they go back to loathing me, I can accept that. I’ve got thick skin. But I couldn’t stomach putting a random camper I haven’t vetted through such scrutiny. I mean, I haven’t even given Gray a job yet.
Gray’s spirit is still on the mend, as Charlotte put it last night at dinner. He doesn’t need a job at the camp—not when he’s got one foot out the door.
When we turn down the street toward the palace, I’m struck by how stately and massive the whole thing is. I want so badly to go back to the safe haven of our camp. My suggestion for Paxton to deliver this speech was overruled. Apparently, there’s been a wave of sympathy for me that started when Officer Johnson took the photo of me covered in blood and vomit, beaten and lain out across the warden’s desk.
I’ve seen the picture, and I have to admit, I didn’t realize how bad off I was. I’d assumed I would never get out alive back then, when I was being poisoned by the substitute nurse at the prison.
The number of people protesting the Sins of the Father bill has grown exponentially, and I’m the beacon they’re to rally around.
But I think the main reason I was picked to address the public is because Father’s afraid Regis will suck Paxton back into his web.
That’s not a risk any of us are willing to take.
My heart leaps into my chest as I take in the swarm of not just reporters, but protestors and throngs of people that far outnumber the dozens I was expecting. “There must be hundreds.”
“More than that.” Sloan points ahead. “Check up the street. They’re stretched down the entire block.”
My throat dries, and every inch of self-doubt I’ve ever entertained creeps into my brain.
What do I know about any of this? I have firsthand experience with the prison system, sure, but what does that do, other than make me sound like a disgruntled teenager? I’m ornamental. That’s always been my role.
Model a miniskirt.
Carry a handbag to boost that company’s sales.
No one’s ever inquired about my political affiliations.
We drive slowly past police cars. My stomach tightens, but I know I have no reason to be worried. We called them. We told them we were holding a press conference on the palace steps, coming in peace to tell the world all we stand for.
But in my core, I know I’ve bucked the system. I defied the king, the police chief and all his employees when I helped everyone escape.
“Easy, Arlanna,” Dad says, patting my hand as he catches sight of the police cars. “We have every right to be here. They’ve merely showed up to make sure the crowd doesn’t get out of hand. Just read the speech. I’ll make it clear I’m going to help your commune. I’ll get you all on your feet.”
It should be reassuring, but it’s not. Dirty money isn’t how I want to build a new life.
Sloan and I have a different plan, but I’m certain I won’t be brave enough to pull the trigger.
I try not to panic while my brows knit. “I called four news channels. How are there this many people here?”
Dad grins, his bulbous nose crinkling. “That’s the thing about being who we are. When we speak, people listen.”
He brags about it, but I take it as a serious burden and a quest for which I must do all I can to become worthy.
As my father lets himself out of the car and Sloan opens the backdoor for me, I realize that