A couple of days later, a woman came to speak with all the girls in our wing. As The Breeding Center's Education councilor, Miss Martha was there to prepare us for the stage of our lives which followed. She explained everyone would receive a mandatory education and we needed to firm up what our trade would be. As soon as we moved to the 11th floor, we would be required to formally declare our major, and upon our move to the 10th floor, our studies would begin. Depending on the chosen trade, some could go straight to work after discharge while a few would need to continue their education on their own. What more, girls who had successfully become impregnated with multiples would receive their education at no cost. While those like myself would incur a student loan.
That evening, myself and my circle of friends, along with Gem of House Bedford and Tabitha of House Santé Fe, surrounded a table in the community room and threaded beads into necklaces.
"You all know I want to be a hairdresser." Nora said. "But what are you ladies thinking?"
"I know is sound strange, but I was leaning towards being a helicopter pilot. The idea of being able to fly sounds wonderful!" explained Lidia.
"That doesn't sound strange. Flying would certainly give a girl a feeling of freedom, which we haven't experienced much in our lives. I can see why you would crave that." I responded. "My difficulty would be the act of taking women's babies away..."
"Did you hear about that helicopter crash at The East Coast Breeding Center?" Tabitha interjected.
"I did!" Gem replied. "The pilot was distracted by her 36 parcels and lost control of the craft. It crashed at a fueling station and caused a massive explosion!"
"Uhhh... I think we need to change the subject." Nora interrupted after seeing the horror in my eyes.
"Oh yeah... Sorry, Lidia. I didn't mean to discourage you."
"Lexi, what do you want to do?" Josette quickly asked.
I wrestled to shake the images. "Uh... I don't know..."
"What does that mean? You honestly don't know, or you don't want to tell us?" Lidia asked. I flashed her a grateful expression. Her tone clearly selected to tease me and lighten the mood.
"I need to meet with Miss Martha to help me figure out what my options are. I mean... I know what I want to accomplish, I don't know what career I should select to get there."
"Well, tell us! Maybe we can help." Josette suggested.
"Lexi of House Meridian" I turned at the sound of my name. Riley stood next to Miss Maggie. "You have an appointment." She said.
I jumped to my feet, took in Riley's wearied face, and my faint grin immediately melted into a whirlwind of emotion. Haunted by my vivid dreams of her and Kayla, a lump formed in my throat and I burst into tears. I dropped my face into my hands and stood sobbing. Nora and Lidia were instantly at my side, concerned.
"Is she alright?!" Gem asked.
"It's all that talk of the helicopter. You need to be more sensitive!" Nora scolded.
Although Nora guessed wrong, my cries became more intense at the thought of having upset everyone. I felt terrible imagining my friends modifying their behavior to shield me from the realities of our world. I dropped from Nora and Lidia's arms into a squat and continued crying into my hands. I wished I would disappear.
I heard Riley's gentle voice speaking to Miss Maggie. "Get me a wheelchair, please. I'm going to take her downstairs." she whispered. Riley carefully persuaded me to stand and guided me to the chair as I quieted.
Lidia pushed a tissue into my hands. "Hang in there, hun. We'll get through this. Love you."
Riley shot Lidia a sour glare as she turned the chair away from her. Lidia did not see it, but Nora did. "That's right, Lexi. All your friends love you. Everything is going to be okay." Nora said, covering for her.
The chair was whisked away from the community room and paused in front of the elevator while Riley swiped her key card. I dried my face and blew my nose as we waited for the elevator. "I'm so embarrassed." I mumbled.
