Bill of Human Wrongs

The chatter was a friendly sound to their ears, the smells were enticing. Christine reached out and ran her fingers down one of the many trunks covering the inner wall. She looked at Eve with questioning eyes and then spoke. “Eve? Where are we? I don’t think we’re in D.C. anymore.” She grabbed Ron’s hand and squeezed. “Honey?”

“Eve, good to see you.” Donna had a pencil stuck through her hair and wore her normal costume. “And you brought your friends, how nice.”

She led them to Eve’s table and asked if they wanted some hot scones. “They’ll be ready soon. I’ll get you started with your coffee.”

Ron hadn’t said a word. He looked around the room, and then repeated the exercise. He’d never seen anything like it before. The concrete walls, the carved out arched entrances to smaller parts of the café. He felt more secure than he’d felt in a long time. A warm sensation filled his body.

Donna returned with their coffee, but stood at the end of the table without setting the mugs down. “Eve, this just isn’t going to work.”

“What do you mean?” Fear struck through her. They’d fought so hard to get where they were. She wouldn’t turn them back, not now!

“Honey, your friends will want to sit with you and there’s not enough room at this table.” She pointed to a large round table with wrap-around booths. “Do you mind?”

Relief came over Eve, a deep sigh released, helping her body to calm down. ”Of course not. Come on, let’s move. I’ll answer what questions I can before Claire and Rachel get here.” She laughed at Ron’s expression. “I’ll tell you everything, Ron. No holding back.”

Eve followed Donna to their new table, but stopped. She told the others to sit. “I’ll be right back, I need to get a newspaper.”

“Oh let me get that for you, Eve.” Donna winked.

“What is this place, Eve?” Ron couldn’t think of anything else to ask.

“Here you go, Honey.” Donna laid the paper on the table.

Pushing it toward Ron, Eve said. “Read the headlines, Ron. Read the date of its publication.”

He picked up the printed paper, and squinted.

Christine fumbled in her purse and pulled out some glasses. “Put these on, Ron.”

“Thanks, Honey.” He unfolded the glasses and hung them over his ears. He raised the publication up to his face, his hands stretching its folded paper so it was taut.

Eve watched. His fingers curled into the paper, crunching its edges as he read.

Looking up, he shook his head. “This isn’t funny. Why are you doing this? We made you part of our family and now this?”

“What is it, Ron?”