Ellen Feingold Frankel (she hated that name!) tossed and turned in her bed.

She threw her body against the lumpy mattress and fluffed her pillow yet another time. She readjusted her blankets. She stared at the ceiling. The ceiling was plain and white. She rolled to her side. She faced the heavy curtain concealing the plate glass wall. The door out of their quarters stood next to the massive window. She flipped to her opposite side. She could see ambient light from the outside reflected on the bathroom mirror above the sink. She knew a stand-up shower and toilet made up the rest of the bathroom, just behind a door. Their meager clothing hung from an open closet next to the sink. She could see the outline of the doorframe that led to the kitchen and living room. Ellen flopped onto her belly. She pressed her pillow over her head. This whole place is like a cheap motel, she said aloud. No one answered. Of course no one would answer. Her husband (ack!) Phineas was playing soldier with the kibbutz s militia this night. She hated that he hadn t exempted himself from militia service. He wasn t a soldier, nothing close to it. Still, he put on his uniform, inspected his service piece and holstered it, and put on the rest of his gear, and joined the other wannabe soldiers. Ellen snorted. If she didn t know her husband so well, she d claim he was having an affair on her with one of the tough chicks who also marched in the militia. No, Phineas was true blue to her, which made him even more contemptible sometimes. She shot up from her bed and threw the pillow at the wall. She grabbed her husband s pillow and screamed into it. The pillow muffled her anguish. She hated this place! She hated the time she was living through! She hated this life! And yet, she loved Phineas. She held him in contempt, but she didn t want to be away from him. It wasn t even from a sense of entitlement that he saved her life so many times. Now, she had this to worry about .

It started when Phineas was preparing for militia duty two months earlier. She didn t want him to leave then, either, and thought she found a perfect way to keep him home. So while Phineas was getting into his uniform, she was slipping into some of her hoarded Victoria s Secrets. And she stopped him at the door. For all of three minutes. Then he was gone. He never did anything that fast! She often fumed at him for wanting sex. Then, she gave it to him, and she fumed about that too. There was something else to make her angry about him. He had the audacity to still be a virgin when they got married. She had made herself available to plenty of guys during her high school days, under Lacey Beraux s influence. But, despite his sexual innocence, he scored the upper hand against her, almost forcing her into this marriage. It was a type of slavery, no, not quite, but servitude. She rubbed her ring and remembered.

Icy rain pelted the house. No electricity for weeks, no water for days. They had little food left, and had been reduced to burning their books and furniture for warmth, and burying their shit in the backyard. Now the gunshots were increasing in speed and tandem. Ellen s father carried a baseball bat and carving knife with him everywhere. He really didn t know how to use either well. He was an attorney, dammit, not a street thug. Her mother stayed inside and covered as much as possible, as did Ellen. They hadn t bathed in days, and they reeked.

Her father grew paranoid at the increase violence. He proposed they run as soon as the weather broke. He had traded his Rolex for five gallons of unleaded gasoline. He was pouring the precious liquid into the tank. That s when Phineas appeared. Two hard-eyed men accompanied him. Both carried menacing military rifles, complete with bayonets. Ellen had little doubt they had plenty of experience killing with either part of the rifle. Phineas himself had a shotgun slung over his shoulder. Its barrels had been sawed down. Collectively, the three men seemed quite buffoonish, the little, four-eyed neo-hippy leading two trained killers. Ellen had known Phineas for years, they even briefly dated for a while. He wasn t a soldier or a killer, yet, he held the leash of the two toughs. She had heard he joined up with a group of Jews who wanted to control a sizeable tract of land, from the river all the way to the outskirts of the city. A lot of people had hooked up into some faction or another, but many, many more were waiting for some order to return to the city, to the country. Her father was one of those people waiting it out. He had been one of the leading attorneys in the city left practicing after the chaos. The courts have been almost non-existent. Still, her father was able to earn a living by negotiating disputes between the more established factions and defending MJTF members accused of crimes against citizens. He was always successful in getting them off. Phineas pointed at the gas can. Going somewhere? he asked. Not really, just for a little while, her father said. Where? It doesn t really matter. Just away from the neighborhood. We re going to stay someplace a little quieter, until things calm down. Heard there were some more prowlers around the outside of the neighborhood last night, thought we d go someplace a little safer. Where?

Well I think we ll go along with Major Lvov. He s going to reposition his men at Ft. Knox, and await further orders. With him leaving, things will get a little crazy here in the city, but things will be OK in a couple of months. Once Gen. Peterson restores order in the country . One of the toughs whispered at Phineas. He doesn t know Phineas waved him silent. Yeah. Keep an eye on the truck. Mr. Feingold got angry. What don t I know? I don t have time for games! We re going! Soon! Phineas turned to Mr. Feingold. You know, it s good you re taking care of your family. My parents died down in Miami, when the bomb went off there . We re sorry about that . I know. I don t have any family left now, but if I did, I d make sure they were safe. Phineas, I don t have time for games! We re going! Mrs. Feingold spoke up. Phineas, what s going on with you? Phineas motioned to the door. Can we go inside? I need to talk to you all around the table. Mr. Feingold threw up his hands, but his wife opened the door. Ellen had said nothing in the whole exchange, but watched Phineas and the two men. He gave her an odd look. They sat around the kitchen table. The two armed men remained outside. The Feingold glared at Phineas for a moment. He looked uncomfortable. Then he spoke. Gen. Peterson has been defeated, by the faction known as the Brotherhood. Gen. Peterson himself is dead. The few remaining, cohesive MJTFcontrolled areas are imploding. I don t know where exactly Major Lvov plans to flee, but I m certain I don t want to follow in his baggage train.

What s this mean? Ellen asked. It s the end of the MJTF. Peterson was the glue keeping the whole ugly mess together. Before long, the surviving leaders will be at each other s throats for the number one chair, and others will be taken down by other factions. And that doesn t count all the chaos that s coming now that the system is falling. How do you know all this? Ellen asked. Reports from short-wave radio. Most reliable way to get information nowadays. We ve got a lot of guys listening to everything all the world over. Mrs. Feingold looked over to her husband. His face fell. Then it is true. I heard some guys talking, saying without Peterson in charge, the gig was up. I didn t want to believe it. Believe it. The old order is gone. Who knows what s coming, but the Brotherhood, I think, will be a major player. If what they say is true, they re why Texas held out so long. There s not many of them, but they can certainly fight. And I know this, Jimmy Bradox is a member of them. Ellen felt a chill creep up her spine. Her parents shivered at the name. Now, Phineas continued. I need to get to the crux of my visit. I m concerned for you. This neighborhood is contested territory between at least four different factions. The time to leave is now And we are leaving! Mr. Feingold shouted. Where? There s no more future traveling with the MJTF. You can t last long on your own. And what do you bring for another faction? I don t think anyone who carried water for the MJTF is going to have a lot of friends. Mr. Feingold was silent. We ll find a way Phineas nodded. And I m offering you one. Just this once, and you must decide quickly. You can come with me, into the Kibbutz.

Why would we want to do that? We re not going to hole up with a bunch of religious fanatics. We re Jews in name only, Mr. Feingold protested. It doesn t matter if you re practicing or not, or if you re Reform, Conservative, or Orthodox. All Jews were welcome, but the door s already closed. Only way in now is by a sponsor. All right, we ll go with you. Sponsor us, Mr. Feingold said. Phineas steepled his fingers. Uh, yeah, except, it s not that simple . What do you mean? Mr. Feingold demanded. Phineas face darkened a shade. Because some of us don t think an apologist for the Party and the MJTF deserve sanctuary within our walls. Mr. Feingold got up. I don t have to take that in my own home . So what will you have us do? Ellen asked. Phineas looked to her. He swallowed. You can marry me, he croaked. What! Mr. Feingold yelled. No, this is ridiculous! Ellen, ignore that! Phineas, you get out of here! We re all going now! Then something grabbed Ellen. Where would they go? How would they get there? What would they do when they got there? Who would take them in? Why would anyone take them in? Did her father understand how hated the MJTF was? Too many questions burned in her mind. She hadn t heard her father s ranting, but she croaked. I ll do it. Everything went silent. I ll marry you, Phineas. If Phineas was excited, he didn t show it. Instead, he nodded. All right then. You need to start packing, and do it quickly. You ll take our cars. Aaron will siphon your gasoline into one of our vehicles. The gas can you had comes with us.

Pack up all the food in house, including anything like oils or spices. That gets packed first. Next get all the practical clothing you have, clothes for all seasons, but nothing like high heels, cosmetics, or suits. But do pack up your jewelry. Then pack up some bedclothes, towels, and toiletries. Oh yeah, medications, vitamins, first aid supplies, definitely pack those as well. Finally, grab any family mementos you want to take. You ll probably not be coming back. They got to work. Phineas found totes in the basement and began organizing the meager foodstuffs they had. They had even fewer medical supplies or toiletries. He had them loaded into one of the cars within a few minutes. Ellen gathered up her clothing, putting what she considered practical into her old suitcase. She didn t bother with her jewelry boxes, but placed a few select pieces into a plastic bag and put them into the suitcase. She looked back into the closet, and pulled off a single formal gown, a white satin outfit. It seemed like enough of a wedding dress. If she d really go through with it . Before they d leave, her father would butt heads about packing his suits and his legal briefs. Then he wanted to be recompensed for his gasoline or his watch. At least her mother was a little more reasonable. Their house was stripped of what they had. So much reminded behind, and yet, it didn t matter anymore. Ellen rode with Phineas and the soldier named Aaron. The other was named Levi, and he rode shotgun while Mr. Feingold drove behind them. The drive to the Kibbutz was frightful, but they made it. Phineas got into an argument with the guards. You know we re not accepting any additional guests, MK Frankel, the chief guard said. Don t quote the statutes to me. I helped draft them. And they will allow direct family members in, Phineas retorted. We know this guy. He s not related to you. They will be soon enough. Meet my future wife.

The chief sighed. Yeah, right. OK, you re in. But don t expect to get cozy with the bride tonight. The Bowyers clan is on the move. Get them inside, and be ready, the militia will probably be called out tonight. Phineas led them to his quarters, a small concrete cabin alongside a series of massive greenhouses. It overlooked a stream and fields in the distance. Several guard towers disrupted the pastoral scene. The two soldiers left Phineas. The Bowyers are moving, they ll probably take us on soon, Phineas said. I m a member of the militia. If we re all called up, I ll be in the fight too. A fight? Ellen asked. And a nasty one, too. OK, let s get you inside. You ll stay with me until we can find some quarters for you. It shouldn t take long. While they were unpacking, an older man and woman came to see Phineas. MK Frankel, the man said. Minister Goldsmith, Phineas responded. I understand you ve brought in some rather distinguished guests, Goldsmith said. Yes, I did. Harold Feingold, his wife and daughter Ellen. They ll stay under my supervision. Ellen has agreed to marry me. We can find something for the other two to do. I know the rules, Phineas stated. I know you do, Phineas. That s why once this conflict with the Bowyers clan is over, we ll need a hearing for Mr. Feingold. Some of us want him to answer for his defense of the MJTF, Goldsmith said. Very well. At least the MJTF didn t give us too much trouble. I m willing to stand for him. Indeed. Well, we ll leave you to your unpacking. Are you going to the temple for your, wedding?

In a little while, once we re finished unpacking, Phineas said. All right, we ll notify the rabbis. Good day. They turned and left. Ellen went up to Phineas. What was that about? You sound like you re going to put my father on trial! Not a trial, but a hearing. They want to know more about the MJTF and your father s role with it. Don t worry, I won t let anything happen to him. Let s finish getting you unpacked. Ellen watched as her parents entered the room, carrying more of their belongings. A pile was growing in the corner. Mr. Feingold grumbled he wasn t getting recompensed for his gasoline and having to give up his best wardrobe. Ellen asked another question. Why did he call you MK? Mr. Feingold started at the title. Phineas sighed. Member of Knesset. I m a member of the Kibbutz s congress. Minister Goldman is the Minister of Justice. He s not a man to take lightly. Ellen wondered if coming into the Kibbutz was a good idea or not. Phineas turned to the Feingold family. Finish up your packing. Then get ready for our wedding. You can shower in the back room. We ll be leaving for the temple in an hour. Ellen s parents offered to let her shower first. The bathroom was small and Spartan, like a cheap motel s bathroom. She took out her bathrobe and the only clean underwear she had. The white gown she picked as a wedding dress hung on the bathroom door. There was only a single light bulb in the bathroom. Grey shadows inked the corners. The shower coughed and groaned. To her surprise, a strong stream of water eventually shot forth, and it was hot. The water both soothed and pained her skin. She absently rubbed herself with the large block of soap she found. She stood under the stream for a long time, until she remembered her parents, and

probably, Phineas, needed to bathe too. She finished her shower and got dressed. The white gown still fit perfectly. She still looked like a wreck. The first time she wore this gown, she had spent three hours in a salon getting her hair, nails, and makeup done. She had complementary shoes and stockings for the dress, and the proper jewelry. No point in worrying about stockings, she hadn t shaved her legs in weeks. Her hair hung limply down about her face. She frowned in the mirror. Maybe something could be done for her hair. No way would Phineas have any makeup in his place. Ellen looked at her parents. She tilted her head behind her. Uh, the shower s open now. He s got hot water, soap, and shampoo. I hope I didn t use all the hot water. Sorry, didn t think about it. Her mother winced as Ellen spoke. Harold, you go take your shower now. I ll help Ellen with her hair. Just don t use all the hot water. Harold Feingold nodded. He leaned into the two women. Look, remember, this is just a game, a faade. He can t force you into a real marriage, it won t have any weight of law behind it. Once we get settled in here, we ll make our way as best as we can. He turned and went into the bathroom. Don t worry, honey, we ll figure a way around this. I don t think Phineas was serious about marrying you. I think the boy s sweet on you, always has been, but he can t be serious. Your father will take care of you, her mother said. She brushed her daughter s hair. He s not going to marry you. He s not serious about it. He s not. Mom, what if he is? He s not. He s not. She started to snivel as she fiddled with her daughter s hair. You look so beautiful, honey. Mom, I think they re going to put Daddy on some sort of trial. He defended a lot of those guys in the MJTF, and they have a big issue with them. And Phineas is a member of the Knesset. He s got some influence around here. Maybe it would be better if we stayed.

They re not going to do anything to your father. They re not. You re not getting married. Her mother dropped the brush. After a few more tense minutes of brushing and a few strategically placed hair pins, Ellen s hair had a relative shape and form to it. Harold Feingold emerged from the bathroom, scalded pink. He complained he didn t have any shaving gel to shave with and the soap burned his face. Then he went on a tear about the lack of an iron so he could de-wrinkle his shirt. Ellen sat on the couch as her mother took her shower. Both she and her husband broke Phineas rule about not bringing any non-practical clothing. Ellen guessed they couldn t help it, but if they were starting off their time in the kibbutz with a wedding, why not. She had to wonder what life would be like from here. It was raining again. Phineas came out from the backroom, wearing a military uniform. A single chevron shone on his shoulders. What s with the uniform? Ellen asked. I serve in the militia, rank of corporal. If it s what we fear, tonight I ll be called up. The regular defense forces are already on alert and taking positions. Let s hope that doesn t happen. We can t afford a sustained battle at this time, Phineas told her. Phineas, just how safe is this place? she asked, leaning close to him. He shrugged, Safer than a few other places. Presently, with everyone dressed, like left for the Temple. A middle-aged rabbi met them, and the impromptu wedding began and finished quickly. Then the rabbi and his wife invited Phineas and the Feingolds to their quarters for dinner. Ellen was surprised it wasn t a traditional kosher meal, but rather standard American fare. She didn t care, the food was hot, nourishing, and plentiful. The couple talked at length about the history of the kibbutz, how many of the area s more practicing Jews had been buying up adjoining land, making sure they had access to multiple water sources, as well as sufficient land for livestock

and timber. Then they began to develop an economy and closed society, all under the noses of the local government and the hated MJTF. Key officials were bribed, and the work continued. Phineas explained he made his living within the kibbutz through a series of greenhouses, providing fresh food and herbs for the residents year round. He also worked with the resident physicians and pharmacists, growing herbs to supplement the steadily diminishing stock of medications they had. Some herbs can match or even exceed what standard medicines do. We re improving their qualities. Soon, we ll be sore-pressed for medications. We can t produce much of anything here. But herbs, we can grow. And even more, we can trade them. We ll need trade to get a sound economy established, not for the kibbutz, but the entire state, even country. No more hyperinflation. As they finished eating, an officer came for Phineas. Good news, the Bowyers have made their move far north of us. The army s still on alert, but the militia can stand down, though a number of us will stay active anyway, unless it s a distraction. Phineas looked at the Feingolds, and turned back to the officer. I think I ll retire for the night, I just got married, you see. But I ll do some spotting from my place, and call in if I see anything. They returned to Phineas s quarters. But Phineas didn t go inside, but climbed a staircase at the edge of the building. Curious, the Feingolds followed him. Phineas went into an elevated structure atop the house, a sort of crow s nest. The rain had stopped, but puddles remained everywhere. What are you doing? Mr. Feingold asked. This is an observation point, a look-out station. I m going to see if I can see anything about the Bowyers and their fight tonight, Phineas replied. He produced a pair of binoculars and glassed the northern horizon. Yes, they re on the move. I can t see any details, but I see the signs. Look. He handed the binoculars to Mr. Feingold. I can t see anything, he complained.

Mrs. Feingold shivered. So wet and chilly. I can hear it raining hard somewhere else. Listen to it! Hard, steady pitter patter pounded in the distance. An occasional clap of thunder erupted. Phineas went grim. That s not rain, it s automatic weapons fire, and explosions. Let s hope whoever the Bowyers attacked tonight instead of us were prepared and well-armed. That will be fewer for us to have to fight later on. You surely don t mean they ll fight each other, and then you fight them. That s total anarchy! They won t allow that! Mr. Feingold protested. They? They who? Phineas asked. The police. The government. The military! The MJ . Mr. Feingold halted. What government? The federal government that s increasingly isolated and irrelevant with a dozen officials vying for the presidency, each countermanding the authority of the others, or the state government, one third waiting for the feds to do something, the other playing games for the cities, the final faction playing games for the countryside. Then you have the city, breaking into factions daily. The military? The ones sent overseas and left to rot so the MJTF can run things? No, the MJTF has been defeated, and its remnants are scattering and hiding. They know they re marked men now. What s the saying? Payback s a bitch! Explosions flashed on the horizon. No, a civil war is coming. Not North and South, or black and white, but one gang against another, until one can exert enough control. Maybe a good guy will win, and we can get things working again. I think the Brotherhood just might be the key. They re a pack of terrorists and traitors, how can you say that? They killed MJTF. That s good enough for me. Mr. Feingold scowled, but for once held his peace. The temperature dropped. Please, can we go in now? Getting so cold, Mrs. Feingold pled. Yes, we ll do that. Let s get you to your quarters, Phineas said.

He took the Feingolds to their quarters. Ellen was about to step in, but Phineas stopped. Ellen, where are you going? She stopped. What? You re married to me now. You ll be coming home with me. That s the typical thing married couples do. Ellen froze. He was serious! Her mother gasped. Now her father spoke up. No! Absolutely not! We didn t agree to any of this! We re leaving now! You can t steal our daughter! Your daughter agreed to the marriage. It s a binding agreement, Phineas stated. He sighed. But I m not going to fight you. If you want to leave, you can go now. I won t stop you, but I won t help you either. You ll pack on your own. And there s no coming back. Once you leave, you re gone for good. He pointed to the north. And that s what s awaiting you. Society is beginning to collapse. You want to throw in with another faction, go ahead. But if you stay here, you ve got the best chance of any of them. I don t offer you any guarantees, but this is your best bet. Mrs. Feingold started to cry. Phineas softened his tone. I ll promise you this. I ve always cared about Ellen, always have, always will. This is only a marriage of convenience, even if this marriage doesn t evolve beyond this pact I will uphold my end of the agreement. I ll never lay a hand of her, hurt her, forsake her, or take her against her will. She ll be safe here. He looked directly at Ellen. Ellen, you remember that night, the day of the ice storm, when the bomb went off in New York City? The fight? Caleb Black and his ape, Lars, teaming up with Virgil Griffin and the football team. I ll spare you, and won t repeat the stakes, but you know what they were, and foolishly agreed to them. It s my shame that, even though I knew about the rumble, I wasn t there. I stayed at home. I couldn t even bring myself to rubberneck the affair. The

hockey team was fighting for the same prize for themselves. You and your socalled friends would have lost no matter which side won. Only one man dared fight alone, to truly fight for you and the other girls. Jimmy Bradox. Whenever Caleb gave you grief, I d never step in to defend you unless Jimmy was there to help. Jimmy s a part of the Brotherhood. If the Brotherhood is like him, then there s more hope for the country. Ellen looked down, then at her parents. It s OK, she said. I m going with Phineas. I ll be all right. They walked away. After a few steps, she turned around, I love you, she said. She spun around and tried to ignore her mother s wailing. Phineas muttered to Ellen. What was that about? You ll see them tomorrow. They think they just sold me into slavery. Please tell me they re wrong, she said. They re wrong, Phineas snapped. I was serious about everything. I ve always cared for you, but I don t love you, at least not yet. I just wanted to see you safe. They wouldn t have allowed you or your father into the compound without a sponsor. I ve given you the opportunity. They entered Phineas s quarters. The room was dark and chilly. Ellen groped for the switch, but the lights wouldn t come on. What s going on? The lights aren t working, she asked. Electricity is restricted at night. Fuels are too scarce to burn, and the solar panels only go so far. The wind and hydroelectric power we have just doesn t cut it. We ve got to use candles or lamps at night. Here, I ll get it, Phineas said. He snapped a cigarette lighter open and lighted a candle near the door. He walked across the room, dipping the candle at points in the room. A new flame flowered at each point. He walked into the adjoining rooms, lighting them as well. The domicile glowed with the soft, bobbing lights.

Ellen shivered and wrapped her arms across herself. Any chance of turning up the thermostat? I ll throw some more wood on the stove. Gas is restricted too. This house is small, we don t need much heat. I know it s not much, but it s not too bad here, really. Ellen looked around the small quarters. The whole place seemed so small, not much bigger than her bedroom. She considered what she had left behind, a large house with no electricity, water, or heat. Perhaps this wasn t so bad. I m still cold, I suppose hot water is restricted too? Phineas smiled, No, we still have it. I guess a second shower would warm you up. I ll get things settled in, just don t use all the hot water this time. Ellen grabbed her robe, nightgown, and her toiletries and slipped into the shower, locking the door behind her. Phineas might try to join her in the shower. She wasn t ready for that yet. She was ready for a change of underwear, but was wearing the only clean ones she had. She d ask about laundry in the morning. She rubbed her head under the hot stream. Ugh, she thought, she really wasn t escaping from this. Well, tonight wasn t going to be her first time, something Phineas already knew. It was well known she made herself available to members of the football and hockey teams before, in those lustful parties thrown in their honor, and the scandals that erupted when the football team went mad and brought in Mallard High School s criminal element to humiliate them in their feud with the hockey team. She remembered the terror she felt, the hard hands forcing her naked body to the floor, and her hair shore from her head. And then, the rumble, just a few weeks later, the football team looked like it would have a victory, and they be subject to them, when Jimmy Bradox appeared and singlehandedly won the battle. She remembered that awful scene, and not the devastation in New York City that same day . Jimmy Bradox had fought with a viciousness and deviousness that was demonic.

Phineas wasn t Jimmy Bradox, though. She felt she could at least trust him. He told her parents he wouldn t hurt her, surely he would honor that promise. Wasn t there a Commandment against lying? She never dwelt on such things. She emerged from the shower, dried and dressed, with her hair covered by a turban-folded towel. Phineas handed her a mug. Been saving this for a special occasion, I think this qualifies. Hot chocolate, the real stuff, and made with real milk too. I m going to take my shower now. I ll be out in a little bit. She took the cup and imbibed the dark brown brew. The chocolate fortified her more than either the food or shower. The sweetness of the draught dredged up memories of better times, and she had to fight back tears. Ellen listened to the shower. If she wanted to run from her so-called husband, now was the time. Instead, she made him a cup of hot chocolate and waited for him. Phineas came out, clothed in a thick robe and sweats. He took the proffered cup and thanked her. They drank in silence for a few minutes. Once Phineas finished his cup he peaked out the windows, scanning the horizon. It s quiet now. They must have stopped for the night. Probably too dark or out of ammo. We ll see in the morning. Well, I m going to bed now. Long day, he said. He went back into the bathroom to brush his teeth. Ellen watched him. I sleep with you, right? she asked. Or on the floor. Your choice. But either way, I m not going to hurt you, he said. Phineas blew out most of the candles and slipped into bed. Ellen reluctantly followed him. The mattress was lumpy and unaccommodating. The bed sheets, however, gave off a wholesome aroma and felt soft against her body. She was assessing her surroundings when Phineas gave her a quick kiss. Good night, I ll make breakfast in the morning, he said. He rolled over, his back turned to her. Ellen just stared at him. Uh, Phineas, aren t we going to you know?

Not tonight, I m too tired. I also can t bring myself to do it yet. I have feelings for you, but not enough to make love to you. Maybe that will change in time, I hope so. I hate to sound like a broken record, but I'll do nothing to you against your will. The rain picked up again. Ellen worried about her parents. She worried about friends she hadn t seen or heard from in years. She worried if any of them were still alive. Laci, someone she always had considered her best friend, still lived, queen of her little establishment in the middle of town. Rosemary Collins, Lucy Santoni, who knew? It was too painful to dwell on. Tears welled up in her eyes again. She hadn t cried like this in years, why now? She felt Phineas arms around her as she let loose. Hold me! she blurted. She didn t know how long she cried, or how Phineas wiped the tears away from her face, but she knew at some point she fell asleep. She awoke in Phineas arms. He was propped up against the wall. It was still raining. She settled into him. I m pathetic, she whispered. You look a little pathetic, but I don t think you re pathetic, he replied. Here I am, I mean, this is supposed to be my wedding night, and I m crying my eyes out. I m worried about what s going to happen to me, scared as a kitten, but I ve had two hot showers and my first decent meal in weeks. What s wrong with me? Phineas didn t answer. His fingers rubbed her hair. I never saw myself even getting married. Seemed so old-fashioned, out of date. I should be living with who I please. I had any guy I wanted in school. Can t even remember the first guy I was with, I was so drunk that night. I guess I shouldn t have worn a white dress, huh? What time is it? Almost two in the morning. You must be tired. Come on down. He slipped down to her, keeping her in his arms. You should sleep too.

Is this better than standing guard with the militia? Much better. It s better than freezing with my parents, huddled around burning newspapers in the fireplace. She sighed. We really can t go back, can we? It will be awhile before you can. I don t think I want to go back now. I m starting to like things here. I m glad for that. Now, let s get some rest. They settled back into bed. After a few minutes, Ellen asked, Phineas, what s going to happen now? With us? No, with the whole country. They kept saying once the MJTF restored order, things would be OK. Now, they ve been defeated, and everything is getting worse. What happened? They said they were within days of winning, and this group, the Brotherhood, destroys them! Phineas, what do you know about the Brotherhood? You said Jimmy Bradox was part of them? Phineas shot up from his bed. Listen, if I m going to tell you what little I do know about the Brotherhood, you ve got to keep it a secret, even from your parents, especially your father. Understand? I promise, she swore, and meant it. I don t know much, a lot we re not sure of, but the Brotherhood seems to be a group of former and current servicemen, along with men from militia groups and dedicated martial artists, along with some reformed convicts, Phineas said. Jimmy Bradox practiced karate, but he always swore he was no good at it, Ellen said. He said he was no good. I m sure that was just a ruse. But the Brotherhood apparently recruited a lot of kung-fu types into their ranks. They re also pretty

political, a definite pro-Opposition slant. It s said many of their members were former Special Forces who had experience handling some nasty stuff overseas. These guys knew how to fight. But how could they have won? They were said to have been beaten! That, I think, we may not know for sure, Phineas whispered. He hated deceiving his wife so quickly into their marriage, but this was a security concern. They overheard the panicked transmissions from the MJTF officers. He revised what he knew. The MJTF commanders made some huge mistakes at the last second. The Brotherhood took advantage of them. And somehow, it the course of a few days, the momentum of the battle changed, the besieged became the besiegers, and a Cannae ensued. And at Cannae men didn t dodge bullets or shoot with 100 percent accuracy, or disappear in plain sight. Jimmy Bradox. What happened to him? Everyone said he raped and murdered Anne Glass, Ellen said. I don t believe that for a second. Someone else did that, and he was set up. He surrendered to the police, and was immediately sent to a penal battalion against the Brotherhood. What s a penal battalion? An army unit made up entirely of convicts. If I was running an army, I think convicts would be the last people I d give any guns too! It s been done before. Stalin used them to terrible effect in World War Two against the Germans. You get these guys grouped together and send them at the hardest part of your enemy s lines, and position your regular troops in such a way that they can not only shoot the enemy, but also the convicts, then you waste them when they retreat. Who cares if a bunch of convicts get killed? Don t need to feed or clothe them anymore, and you ll always find more of them. Meanwhile, as for the convicts themselves, you only give them guns when it s about to get nasty, and only then give them the minimum, and shackle them

together, so they don t slip off. Finally, you tell the cons if they survive and fought well, they can get pardoned. Maybe you ll cut the few who do survive loose, to prove your point. And that s how Jimmy Bradox escaped? Who knows? But, I think you ll be sure of this. We ll be seeing him again, sooner or later. Ellen involuntarily pressed against Phineas. Why do you say that? He scares me! I m not afraid of him. He s got to return to Louisville, find out what happened to his family and friends. He ll show up.

Ellen returned to the present. She needed to talk to someone. Only one person she could. She pulled her wrap around herself and went out into the bitter night air. Shortly before she reached her destination a patrol stopped her. Halt! Where are you going? Who are you? the guard demanded. Ellen Frankel, wife of Phineas the Herbalist. I m on business, she snapped. The guard looked surprised. Of course, ma am, of course. We ll be happy to escort you! Don t report me! She thought he was pleading. I ll manage on my own, thank you, she responded. She reached her goal and knocked on the door. After a few moments, the door opened. Her mother looked at her through bleary eyes. Can I come in? I need to talk to you, Ellen asked. Of course, her mother answered. It s just us, your father is working the late shift tonight. I can t sleep when he s out. Her father found work with a bakery, and was probably pounding dough now. He seemed to enjoy the new career.

Ellen dropped her wrap on a chair. Good. I don t like talking about, woman stuff, around him. Mom, I m pregnant. What am I going to do? Her mother gaped at her for a moment. My baby This, this is changes things, doesn t it? Mom? What are we going to do? Her mother wrapped her arms around her. Honey, you ve got to do what you ve already done. Make a family and keep living. Ellen started to cry and leaned into her mother. Her mother eased them into their sofa. Mom, I m scared. What are you afraid of? I m afraid of having a baby and giving birth, especially in a world like this. I m scared about Phineas and I. I don t like living here, I don t like working in his greenhouse or processing his herbs, being his wife! I used to be somebody important, and Phineas was a nobody! I have nothing but contempt for him. And yet, and yet, I feel like I m not good enough for him to love me! She wept into her mother s breast. Her mother stroked her hair. Phineas does love you. I can tell. You will make it with him. Love isn t anything like being in love. Don t worry about how you feel. Just know that it s there. I think you and Phineas will be a great couple together, even though you ll probably always feel his herbs and plants are so silly. Ellen leaned into her mother. Her mother continued, And don t worry about giving birth. We ve got some of the best doctors in the city here with us. They may not have the best conditions to work under any more, but women have been giving birth for centuries under much worse, and they survived. You ll do fine as well. They sat in silence for some time. Ellen finally spoke again, Mom, it s never going to be like it was. Her mother looked down at her. You re saying that, not asking me. oh, what am I saying?

It s not coming back, not in your lifetime, probably not mind either, maybe not, even, even in my child s time. Well, honey, things look bad, but they ll get better. They always do. What s getting better? Well, we ve had bigger and better harvests. No trouble with the gangs from the outside for some time. No disease outbreaks, a steady supply of electricity. It s not all bad, her mother said. Mom, those are all things are inside the kibbutz. What about outside? Her mother said nothing.