Chapter 10

Three days after Laird’s departure, Abby and Essence were summoned to a meeting with Kara – just the three of them. Neither Abby nor Essence required any assurance that Kara was not your ordinary governor, but they received it just the same. She didn’t ask them to get dressed up or hold a formal meeting in some sterile conference room. She merely invited them over to her place, where they sat comfortably in her living room. She had even gone to the trouble of making them lunch.

“This salad is incredible, Kara,” gushed Abby. “Did you make this dressing yourself?”

“I did,” said Kara with a smile. “I’ll give you both the recipe. It’s actually very simple – it’s kind of a vinaigrette. Vinegar is easy to make – we have a lot of it stored away - and Lars grows olives over in the greenhouse, so we also make our own oil. A few other easy to obtain natural flavor enhancers, and that’s it. Of course, the greens and the tomatoes also come from our greenhouses.”

“And you know there’s no additives or chemicals like there were in the salads of your day,” Essence pointed out.

“I’ll tell you the same thing I told Elena about her crab cakes,” said Abby. “I’d like to bring this recipe back to my time.”

Kara moved to switch the topic. “How are you doing, Abby? I know you went through a rough couple of days because of that Laird mess. Part of the reason for my asking you over here was to check up on you.”

“I’m quite all right,” replied Abby. “But thanks for the concern. I look at it this way. Laird wanted out of here in the worst way. He also wanted something from me that I can’t give him. So, from my point of view, it’s all good. Best of luck to him, Godspeed, and I hope he finds happiness up there.”

“I’m glad to hear you say that,” said Kara. “I’ve heard bits and pieces of what went on, but I wanted to hear your side of it. Tell me the whole story – first of all, what happened at the pub, and then what occurred at Noah’s com center.”

And so, Abby laid out the whole tale one more time. She went into the details of the events at the pub, up to and including her ending the date and leaving him sitting by himself. Next, she gave Kara an unfiltered account of the following afternoon, everything that went on – even including the inaccurate slur that Laird had thrown at Noah.

Kara’s mouth dropped open upon hearing that. “Oh my. He really said that to Noah?”

“He’s lucky Noah is so even-tempered,” Essence put in.

“The thing about Laird is,” Abby explained, “that once something gets trapped in his mind, it’s there forever. He’s convinced that Noah is gay. Let’s just say that Laird is the type who focuses on things of that nature. Plus, he can’t wrap his brain around the way Noah’s marriage works. It doesn’t fit into his world view.”

Kara turned to Essence. “I heard he made a huge mess in your lab on his way out.”

“Yes, he did,” said Essence. She went on the relate how he’d trashed the place and made off with his lab notebook and some labware along with his belongings.

“Is there anything we can do to get those back?” Abby queried. Then she thought a little and recalled that she was in a different environment now. “Then again, maybe not. This is a different world from what I’m used to. Back in 2023, lawsuits, criminal charges, and subpoenas were an option. Here, you have to rely on someone in a position of power being sympathetic to your cause.”

“You won’t find anyone like that in Philadelphia,” said Essence. “For me, the big loss is the notebook. A lot of my ideas – things I asked him to work on for me – are detailed in that notebook. He can use those ideas in his new job and claim that he thought of them.”

“Abby, you know Laird the best of all of us,” said Kara. “Do you think he’s unscrupulous enough to do something like that?”

“I would have said no until the two recent incidents, but now, I have to say I wouldn’t put it past him. He showed me a side of him that I never knew – a very ugly side.”

Kara nodded. “Let’s move on from Laird for now, although we might come back to him later. I want to talk about Orval – Orval and Clair, really, but especially Orval. Essence, if Orval gets elected President, what do you see occurring here at Delmarva?”

Essence sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. “For the community at large? We’ll be attending meetings constantly, wearing old-fashioned business attire, becoming slaves to routine, and having our lives micro-managed to a ridiculous extent. We’d also lose our independence and ability to function as an autonomous unit. For me personally? After the way I spoke out against that time machine project, Orval pretty much considers me Public Enemy Number One. I’d lose my research position at the very least. He’d make sure of it. Right behind me on the hit list would be Mercy and Jason, for also voting against the project. And behind them are Taff and Mimosa, for changing their minds. When Orval sets his mind on something, he is ruthless in pursuing it.”

“I pretty much agree with you,” Kara said, “but I wanted to hear your thoughts. I think I’ll have to start campaigning for Fern, who I don’t like all that much, but who is definitely the lesser of two evils. Hopefully, I’ll be able to convince most of the population here at Delmarva to vote for her, and we are a good-sized voting bloc.”

“I hope so,” said Abby, alarmed at this speculation, “because I don’t even want to think about the alternative.”

“There’s a lot at stake for us in this upcoming election,” Essence pointed out. “A lot.”

Silence reigned for a moment; it was interrupted by Kara. “Going back to Laird,” she began. “I keep coming back to the same thought. The timing of the departures of Orval and Laird is ... suspicious. Maybe it’s just a coincidence. But I can’t help but wonder if they are somehow connected.” Kara broke off at this point, for Essence was already nodding her head in agreement.

“I made the same connection,” she said. “Yes, it could be a coincidence. But if you apply Occam’s Razor, it seems to me that the simplest explanation is that their departures are connected somehow. Especially when you consider how abrupt Laird’s exit was. On top of that, there is no question that their beliefs align in many ways.”

“Abby, do you know if Laird knew Orval at all?” Kara wondered.

“He never mentioned him once. I’m sure of that. But there is one thing ... something I should mention.”

“This sounds intriguing,” said Essence with curiosity. “Do tell.”

“It happened at the pub, during our first date. We were sitting there, and a man bumped into Laird’s chair from behind. It was a pretty hard bump, and Laird got a little bit miffed. I’ve never been introduced to Orval, so I don’t know what he looks like, but...”

Kara cut in with a description. “Tall, well-dressed, handsome, dark hair, in his forties?”

“That could be him. But you know something else? The guy walked over and sat down with a woman. The woman was Clair – no question about it; I do know what Clair looks like.”

Kara and Essence exchanged concerned looks. “I know that Orval and Clair often went to the pub together on Friday evening,” said Kara. “And I agree that it’s quite possible that Orval and Laird are in cahoots. But let’s not get carried away, either. It could be that Orval just pulled some strings to help Laird get set up in Philadelphia – nothing more. Let’s just monitor the situation for now.”

“Your point is noted,” said Essence. “But with Orval, you can’t be too careful. He doesn’t understand the concept of generosity. If he’s helping Laird, there must be an ulterior motive.”

They, of course, had no inkling as to just how far-reaching Orval’s intentions were.

“Here’s what you should do,” said Maeve to Essence. “Every night, you and Abby sit down together, have your coffee, chat a little, and then head off to your respective rooms, right?”

“That’s the routine that I’ve come to cherish, yes,” said Essence. “Maybe I should modify it somehow?”

Essence and Maeve were seated comfortably together on the sofa in Maeve’s living room. Both were wearing long T-shirts – and nothing else. They, too, had a cherished routine – the chat about the latest developments in each other’s life, which was immediately followed by the two of them heading off into the bedroom for sexual release. The primary topic of discussion on this evening was Laird’s departure. When combined with the kind words Abby had spoken to Essence on that wonderful evening, both of them saw an opportunity on the table for Essence. But the biggest problem of all had not been resolved – Essence had no idea how Abby might react to an “escalation” of their friendship.

“I think you should make one small modification. Before she heads off to bed ... kiss her goodnight.”

Essence contemplated that scenario for a moment. “Okay. I see the benefit. The potential benefit, at least. I can observe her reaction, and go from there, right?”

“Right. And if it makes her uncomfortable, you could act as though it was just a simple gesture of affection between two friends. Just keep it to a little peck, but definitely on her lips. Something ambiguous enough to make her curious. Here, you can practice on me right now.” Maeve puckered up and giggled.

“Okay,” said Essence with a grin. “Here goes.” She leaned in and placed a plain, innocent kiss on Maeve’s drawn-up lips. After pulling away just a little, she said to Maeve, “Hmmm. That just won’t cut it.”

Leaning in once again, with decidedly less than innocent intent this time, she pressed her lips firmly against Maeve’s. She opened her mouth, and pushed her tongue through, forcing Maeve’s closed lips to admit the invader. Moistness met moistness as their tongues made contact. They French-kissed in the way that Essence knew Maeve enjoyed the most – one tongue chasing the other in circles. After a few minutes, Essence lifted Maeve’s shirt and performed another act that she knew Maeve loved. She touched her middle finger to the bottom of Maeve’s vaginal slit, and with a feathery touch, ran the finger the full length of her opening.

“That does it,” squealed Maeve with delight. “Eat me, please.”

“You don’t have to say ‘please’,” Essence growled. She pulled Maeve’s legs apart and knelt down between them. Right there in the living room, Essence parted Maeve’s bush with her two thumbs and delivered the eating that Maeve had requested. And when she was finished, and Maeve was coming down from her orgasmic high, Essence noted wryly, “Tonight, we didn’t even make it to the bedroom.”

“Right,” agreed Maeve. “But keep this in mind. You practiced on me with that quick little kiss at the start, and you saw what happened afterward. Think you’ll be able to stop at just the kiss with Abby?” They shared a laugh.

Essence opened her own legs, allowing Maeve to move into position to return the favor. “Maybe the first time,” allowed Essence, basking in the sensation as Maeve’s tongue began to explore her center. “Maybe even the second. But that’s what I want with Abby. That, and so much more.”

“Do you know what Hannah told me a little while ago?” said an irritated Abby. Essence had just made it home ahead of curfew, and it was apparent that Abby was primed to unload about something.

Essence took her by the hand and led her over to the sofa. “You’re upset, honey. Now tell me about it.”

“Earlier today, one of her tram passengers asked her if she was really twenty-three years old. Hannah said it was the third time in the last few days she’d been asked that question.”

“That’s ... strange,” said Essence. “I know Hannah looks young for her age, but why would everyone be asking her about it all of a sudden?”

“I’m pretty sure I know why. It was a rumor started by one Laird Edmunds. Back on our first date, he questioned Hannah’s age, and he was pretty obnoxious about it. He said she was nineteen years old at most.”

“Laird again,” said Essence, shaking her head. “He’s gone, but the problems connected with him persist. But why doesn’t Hannah just ignore it?”

“The problem for Hannah,” Abby explained, “is that she’s a pilot. Laird actually called her ‘that teenage pilot’ when I was sitting there in the pub with him. People are questioning whether she should be flying airplanes, and this could get Noah in hot water too. One of the people even told her that she shouldn’t be driving a tram. Now, I have a question for you. How easy is it in this world to get a birth certificate? Is it even possible anymore? I really want to help Hannah – she was very upset.”

Essence thoughtfully ran her fingers through her hair. “First question ... where was Hannah born? I don’t think she ever told me. And exactly when?”

“Here’s what I know. She was born in Philadelphia. Four years before the Second Incident – I guess the world was still normal then. She’ll actually be twenty-four in two months. Her birthday is October 4. Her mother died during the Second Incident. She was raised from that point by her father, who unfortunately died during the Third Incident. Besides Hannah’s birth certificate, would a copy of her mother’s death record help?”

“It may help some – if it even exists - but it wouldn’t verify Hannah’s date of birth. That birth certificate is what we need. We’d have to ask around a little. Kara might have an idea. Even better, let’s get with Noah and ask him. He knows enough people.”

They chatted a little more, and Abby gradually calmed down. When bedtime approached, Abby smiled softly at Essence.

“You did it again,” she told her. “I needed you, and you walked me right through the problem.”

The moment is now, thought Essence.

“I’m always here for you,” she told Abby. “Good night, and we’ll see what we can do tomorrow for Hannah.” In one quick motion, smooth, effortless and natural, she leaned in and gave Abby a soft, fleeting kiss on the lips. She held Abby’s gaze for just a second, to gauge her reaction.

Abby merely widened her smile a little, her look indicating that she had simply taken the kiss in stride, a new but normal aspect of their very close friendship. “Good night, Essence. Sweet dreams ... and thanks again.” She gave Essence a quick embrace, another kiss on the cheek, and then headed off for her bedroom.

Well ... that was not what I expected, Essence said to herself. A reaction that was neither positive nor negative. She had acted like it was nothing out of the ordinary. Essence wondered whether close friends kissing each other on the lips was common in Abby’s time.

There’s always tomorrow. Essence resolved to continue the process.

“So, you need a birth certificate,” Noah said slowly. “That could be ... a little bit of a challenge. Let me think it over for a minute.”

Abby, Hannah, and Essence had headed over to Noah’s office first thing in the morning. Hannah had explained the situation. Noah, realizing that Hannah did indeed have a problem, was trying his best to offer support.

“I know that they have a public records office up in Philly,” he finally said. “You’re lucky that you were born before the Second Incident. I would think they’d have it ... but I can’t say for sure.”

“All of the records were digital, weren’t they?” Hannah said.

“And if the records are digital, how could you get your hands on a hard copy?” Abby threw in.

“If they have the digital record,” Essence said, “they can get you a hard copy. Printers as you know them don’t exist, but take for example Kara’s photo gallery. I’m sure they have the ability to print something out using the same method. We may need to pull some strings, but I believe it’s doable.”

“Who should we ask to pull some strings?” asked Hannah. “Kara?”

“Kara might be able to help,” allowed Noah. “But you know who might be the best person to handle this?”

“Who?” Hannah wondered.

“Isabella Genovese.”

“Isabella?’ Abby and Essence both interjected at once. All four of them laughed at the in-unison exclamation.

“Well, that was an interesting response,” said the still-laughing Noah. “But hear me out. I know that Isabella comes across as cold and calculating. But I know her a little better than most people around here. Remember that she’s a legislator, and she has connections no one else has – not even me, not even Kara. If something needs to be done within her call of duty, it will get done. Period. She’s actually very diligent and persistent. And this definitely falls within her call of duty.”

“Is Isabella even here at Delmarva right now?” asked Essence. “She spends as much time in Philadelphia as she does here.”