Elizabeth strained to breathe, getting a bit dizzy. A headache pinged in her mind as her thoughts drifted in and out of the past. Staring at the computer screen for too long, trying to budget the company’s assets, had that effect. A bottle filled with tablets labeled “Benzodiazepine” taunted her as it sat on her desk. You win, she thought, grabbing the medication. She walked over to the break room, taking deep breaths and giving herself some distance from the cubicle.
She poured what was left of the coffee container into a polystyrene cup, stirring creamers in it as she reminisced what human interaction with customers was like. Everything having to do with her accounting firm was online. Voices from the curved, flat television screen integrated into one of the walls of the office were heard, broadcasting an important topic. She looked over at the sea of women in their cubicles, subjugated to the propaganda of the news.
“So, what does this legislation mean for the people of America if it passes?” a female news anchor asked. The banner under her frame as she sat read “Callie”.
“Well, thanks to radical movements implemented by women due to the men who abused their positions of power, 2059 will be a definitive one as we rid ourselves of the patriarchy.”
There were speakers in the breakroom relaying the sound of the television in the workspace. Elizabeth leaned on the counter, making herself comfortable with pills in hand. She recognized the last woman who spoke. She was a bit of a celebrity in mainstream media as one of the prominent advocates for women. Her banner read “Jessica”. There was an infographic between them. It portrayed societal highlights based on female statistics.
“Oh, there’s no question!” Callie adjusted herself in her chair, arched her back, and protruded her chest in confidence as if her business attire she fashioned like a power suit wasn’t enough of a statement. “But what of the women who still cooperate with men to live?” She pointed at a statistic on the infographic showing the small percentage who still do. “Won’t that destroy their delicate foothold within our economy? Men have contributed quite a bit. Trying to live in a one income household has been nearly unheard of since 2024.”
“Sounds more like a talk show than a news report…” Elizabeth said under her breath. She glanced at a mirror by the sink in the breakroom to make sure her eyes weren’t bloodshot from exhaustion. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as her complexion and makeup was still intact.
Jessica narrowed her eyes at Callie, belittlingly as Elizabeth refocused on the screen. “Their past efforts aren’t in question. However, a lot of women are striving without male contribution. Most of multiple income-driven households are made up of women as well as two parent-households.” She turned toward the camera as if speaking directly to all women. Her dazzling necklace and earrings along with her name-brand dress put more of a spotlight on her ego. “Plus, we have all but dominated the infrastructure of the workforce – eighty-seven percent I might add. You tell me, what benefits do women gain by having men in our livelihoods?”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes at Jessica’s response as she watched and listened to the program. She discreetly swallowed the two pills she fiddled with and gulped her coffee.
“As I certainly see your point,” Callie said. She glanced at something off camera. Elizabeth figured it was a teleprompter – part of a stage acting out its agenda. “Some may argue that they are still human beings who deserve equal treatment as any of us.”
“Was that ‘equal’” – Jessica said “equal” in air quotes – “treatment given to women centuries before the 1900s?” Her earrings and necklace swayed, flashing her superiority as she gyrated her neck. “Let’s be real. The only reason we had rights at all was due to World War II where women had to work to maintain the household while men fought battles.”
“Isn’t that also a point to have men around? To fight the battles we can’t?” Elizabeth couldn’t tell if Callie was playing devil’s advocate with her questions. Elizabeth’s nerves calmed down, and her breathing regulated back to normal. The back-and-forth conversation the women were having kept unfolding as the infographic behind the women cut to a video of a female president’s inauguration. It happened to be on cue with what Jessica was about to say next.
“Battles we can’t?” Jessica re-iterated it as if it was a personal attack. She directed their attention to the video. “Has there been war since the first female president was elected to office?”
Callie didn’t answer. She averted the topic, cleared her throat, and asked other questions.
Yeah, Elizabeth thought. There’s one right now. We all know it… “Jay used to say everyone had their heads too far up their ass to see it,” she mumbled to herself, leaning against the countertop. She stared at her ring finger and took another sip of her lukewarm coffee.
She delved into her handbag beside her and pulled out her phone. An array of lights projected in front of her as she scrolled through the various messages. They popped up like mini holograms. She closed out of her apps to her home screen. A younger her and a man with his arms around her in a warm embrace were at the center of the electronic lights. In between them was a little boy, exuding happiness from their tenderness. Her fingers caressed the light fondly.
“Look, no one is saying for men to become extinct,” Jessica continued, chuckling a bit and snapping Elizabeth back to the news. “But we certainly don’t need them in the U.S. There are other countries more tolerable to their gender.”
“Hmm…certainly something to think about,” Callie replied and smiled as if something was said of merit. “We’ll be back after these messages from our sponsors.”
The news program cut to commercial as every woman in the office continued their work as if nothing serious was happening. Even the ads flashed female-driven religious churches, celebrities who celebrated womanhood, and various content alike. Elizabeth shook her head in disappointment. “Like bots stuck in a program…” she whispered to herself, sipping the now cold, stale coffee again. She was biding her time to keep from going back to her cubicle.
“Heh… you feel that way too?” Elizabeth immediately snapped her focus to the familiar voice. Her coworker, Shelly, approached and brewed her own cup of coffee in an espresso machine on the counter beside her. They’d occasionally chat from time to time. She startled her. As soon as Shelly’s back was turned, Elizabeth quickly put her phone back in her handbag. She wasn’t close enough to see Elizabeth’s screen, but she didn’t want to take any chances. “Don’t blame you for lingering over here. My ass fell asleep from sittin’ in that chair all day.”
“How much longer ‘til your sentence is over, Shelly?” Elizabeth asked jokingly.
She smirked. “I remember when you asked me that on my first day… It really is starting to feel like a prison here more every day.” She waited for the espresso to finish its cycle while standing beside Elizabeth. “What time you get off?”
Elizabeth was slightly envious of her fresh drink. The smell of refined grounded beans wafted to her nose, but she was fine with her stale cup. It reminded her that no matter which one she got, it didn’t change the taste – at least for her. It stayed the same just like the monotonous company she worked for. “Four. They’re letting me leave early today to pick up my daughter.” It was a lie. Her child was old enough to go home from school. She just couldn’t stand the place.
“Lucky… I wish I could leave early and get some time to myself.” Shelly leaned closer to Elizabeth as some other coworkers passed by. She spoke low. “I don’t want others to hear. But between you and me, sometimes I get what the guys were talking about. Soon as I get home to wifey it’s nag, nag, nag… drama, drama, drama… ‘Why didn’t you do this?’ ‘Why didn’t you do that?’ You’re one of the chill ones, so I know you get it.” As she poured her coffee into a mug, she again made sure no one was around to overhear. “It’s tiring. Some of our gender just don’t understand how good peace feels. Know what I mean?”
Elizabeth tapped her cup to Shelly’s mug. “I know it all too well…”
“I guess that’s why you choose to be single, huh?” Shelly gradually went away from the counter to head back to her cubicle with her mug in hand. “Don’t stand here too long. The uptight ones may report you to management.”
Elizabeth looked off into the distance as Shelly left, stuck with past thoughts again. “Actually… I guess that is why I’m single,” she answered, although Shelly already left.
After Elizabeth got off from work, she usually kept her composure with her head held high to not be a target of some radical. The pedestrian crossing signaled her to walk the street safely. A projection of light appeared on both sides of the walkway, turning into a tangible construct to further prevent cars from stepping on the gas at a red light. It lessened accidents and, God forbid, running over civilians. It always amazed Elizabeth how light sparked from nothing and became physical to the touch. She always thought about her deceased companion in this way. But today, his memory hit her hard.
She observed her surroundings to try and get her mind off it. Homeless men plagued the streets, especially in alley ways and under freeways. Women that chose to stick with them were rare. She still spotted a few huddling in tents or makeshifts huts while they endured the struggle with them. After walking a couple blocks, she spotted a long line of women at an urgent medical care center. Their main procedures were abortion. Everyone knew why they were there, but if they kept it under the radar, people turned a blind eye to it.
It was a depressing sight, almost as if they were now a part of the décor – the city itself. Crows always lurked above them, perched on city structures. They must’ve smelled death in the air since the people were already dead inside. The crows knew they had the choice to fly away. Yet, the people were so dependent on the system, they’d rather surrender to it. She couldn’t judge them though. Besides, she couldn’t fly away either due to being part of the décor herself.
Up ahead, she spotted female protesters harassing construction workers and upholding signs like “We don’t need you”, “Hands off creep”, and “Get out and leave us alone.” Yet, the workers did nothing to provoke them. She started taking deep breaths, trying to keep her thoughts on something else again. It didn’t work. The environment brought what she was trying to push down back to the surface. Her chest started to heave as an emotional flood of memories welled up inside of her.
*****
Justin’s face was red, frustrated. He and Elizabeth were in the living room as the light fixture above them flickered. “Beth, you don’t get what it’s like to be belittled and feel useless!”
“Really, Jay?! You do know I’m a woman, right?” Elizabeth rhetorically asked, standing a few feet away from him. She cut off the TV to the news they were both watching.
The couple were in their one-story apartment. Paint on the walls were chipped, cracked, and faded. The same little boy from Elizabeth’s home screen picture on her phone was standing not too far from them in the hallway. Elizabeth saw he had his door open a crack as he peeked his head from the corner to listen to his parents’ shouting match. At least they were using each other’s nicknames still, but he dared not to intervene. Last time he did, they turned their anger on him. She remembered he endured fits of rage for not sleeping and eavesdropping on adult conversations.
“Stop the crap… Equality’s been established since these radical feminist movements – “
“Keep your voice down, Jay! You want the entire neighborhood to hear you?”
“What difference would it make? I still can’t do a damn thing about it.” He paced around the living room, bumping into furniture, nearly pulling his hair out. The light in the room dimmed. “I have two degrees and the best thing I can be is an overnight garbage man!”
“And? They make decent money.” Elizabeth went to turn off the dining room light since they had already eaten. She could tell it made Justin worry more because he knew she really did it to save on the electric bill.
“Made decent money,” he emphasized, “before inflation kept rising and salaries stayed the same. I literally come home smelling like the bullshit they put on us!” He shook his head. “We’re just getting by. People pandering to these extremists reap the benefits.”
“We’re doing fine with my corporate job.”
As soon as Elizabeth spoke those words, Justin looked over to their bathroom door that was ajar. On the countertop were her meds for stress. He stared at her for a moment as if calling out her own bullshit. She looked away from his glare as they both knew she was lying.
“You know…” Justin said after a moment passed. “It makes me feel like crap knowing that I can’t do more for my family.”
“Your family? You sure this is genuine concern for your loved ones or your ego talking?” Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at him and crossed her arms, standing with her hip swayed to the side. “It sounds like you have a problem with me being the breadwinner.”
Justin shook his head in disbelief, denying her claim. “You still don’t see it…”
“It’s thoughts like that is the reason why these groups exist in the first place.”
“I’m not part of the oppression, okay? I just wanted to live a normal, peaceful life with you. Don’t forget. You” – he pointed at her – “were part of those groups. Now, I’m paying for the actions of a few that have nothing to do with me. Both of us are!”
Elizabeth unfolded her arms, dropping her guard. “We’re both trying, okay? I’m trying! What more can we do?!” She turned away from Justin, plopping down onto the couch. She buried her face in a pillow, upset with tears welling in her eyes. The air shifted as silence permeated the living room for a moment. Justin sat behind her, hugging her from behind and consoling her. She turned toward him. Warm tears pitter-pattered on his shirt, seeping through as she nuzzled her face in his loving chest.
“This world is tearing us apart…” Justin said as he calmed the self-righteous storm within him. “Look, I’m sorry. It’s the stress… I keep thinking, even if we do manage, what kind of world will this be for our eight-year-old?” She saw Justin look over to see their son peeping his head out from the hallway in tears – no doubt from seeing his parents frustrated. “Candor is going to have to grow up being afraid all because of what’s between his legs. It’s insanity, Beth! We have to do something about it. It’s not just our livelihoods at stake. It’s other people’s families too.”
She looked up at his gaze while still in his embrace. “I only care about this one.”
“How long can that hold out?”
They both jerked their heads as Candor came rushing to his parents after seeing them calm down. Elizabeth knew Justin was tempted to discipline their son, but he wrapped his arms around him instead, clearly fearing for his future well-being. She saw Candor was just as scared as them, although he didn’t fully understand their situation. Elizabeth bent down and gave him a kiss on the forehead. Her fingers ran gently through his hair. After holding her son’s head in her bosom, her focus went back on her husband, answering his question.
“As long as it needs to…”
*****
Elizabeth snapped back to reality as flavored nicotine hit her nose. She finally made it to the lobby of her two-story apartment and spotted the landlord vaping outside before heading up the old, creaking stairs. She waved, but the landlord didn’t acknowledge it. It was odd. Walking up the stairs after an exhausting day ached her knees. Every step pinged with pain as her headache did. It resonated with the rest of her body – the toll living was costing her every day. She leaned in close to the ocular scan of the biometric system integrated into her door.
“Welcome home, Elizabeth,” an automated voice announced. She once changed its setting preferences to Justin’s voice in the initial months after his passing. It was able to recreate it based on his voice from past call logs on her phone. Feeling any piece of him again brought her peace. But after a while, she saw through her own mental manipulation, knowing the voice was an artificial intelligence and not actually his. It brought her more pain and coldness. It was as if trying to mimic his presence was an insult to his memory in some way.
Heh… yeah… Home sweet freakin’ home, she mocked in her head. After shutting the door, she put her stuff down on the kitchen counter-top near the walkway. She rushed to the bathroom, eager to take a shower. Washing the worries and stresses away of the day relieved her from it somewhat. After getting dressed in her t-shirt and sweatpants, she headed for the living room. A solemn expression creeped up to the contours of her face as she eyed a book on the table. The title read The True Patriarchy. An overwhelming feeling of sorrow, regret, and guilt washed over her like a roaring wave from the ocean. As she sat down on the soft, plush sofa, ready to open its spine to reveal its contents, the A.I. voice spoke again.
“Welcome home, Candice.”
Elizabeth twisted her head to the door, putting the book down and immediately getting up. What appeared to be a girl was closing the door but left it open ajar as she was startled to see Elizabeth approach her from the hallway. Her blush blended in with her skin to highlight her cheekbones. Her hair was also shiny and shoulder length. “You’re home early,” Candice said, briefly looking up at her. Her voice was scratchy and slightly deep.
Elizabeth smiled a bit on the inside but was overcome with dread as well, knowing her child was showing signs of puberty. “They let me off from work sooner,” Elizabeth replied.
“School excuse again?”
“Well, hello to you too, Candice,” Elizabeth said sarcastically.
“I asked you not to call me that at home!” she exclaimed.
Elizabeth’s face turned hot red. “Keep your voice down, will you?” She immediately closed the door all the way. “You want the entire neighborhood to know that you’re a fourteen-year-old boy, Candor?!” she angrily said in a low tone next to him.
Candor immediately tugged his wig from his scalp that was somewhat integrated with his original hair, so it didn’t fall out. He put it on and off so often that he knew the trick to getting it off easily. Lipstick, concealer, and other accessories were still present on his face. Elizabeth examined him closely. Tiny stubs of hair were trying to make its way through his make-up’s foundation. It was hardly noticeable and could only be spotted if looking for it.
“You forgot to shave this morning, didn’t you?” Elizabeth asked, irritated.
“I didn’t shave,” he said aggravated, walking away from her.
“Are you trying to cause unnecessary attention for us, boy?”
“Mom, I’m sick of this!” He threw his bookbag on the floor in the living room.
“Unh-uh!” She quickly snapped her fingers and pointed at his bookbag. “You know we don’t do that under this roof. Pick it up.”
Candor reluctantly complied. He shook his head, disappointed. “I hate this girly stuff. Dad wouldn’t…” He stopped himself before mentioning him. “This isn’t me!”
“Don’t you think I know that?” She briskly walked to the kitchen, trying not to think about it and warmed up some leftovers on the stove. “I’m reminded of it every day I look at you and hear that mouth of yours.”
“Then why are you making me someone I’m not?” His eyes sparked with sincerity, locked onto his mother’s. She saw a hint of agony igniting behind them.
“I’m keeping you safe. You see how they treat boys in your school, don’t you?”
“I don’t care…” he mumbled.
“What was that?”
Candor bit his lip, perhaps trying to keep himself from saying something bad.
Elizabeth raised her voice a bit. “Be fed up all you want. Do not talk to me that way.”
He made his way to the kitchen counter and banged his hand on the island table, staring directly at her. “Dad wasn’t afraid. Why can’t I be like him?”
“You wanna die like him too?” Regret instantly took hold as she uttered those words.
Candor clenched his teeth and balled his fists to his sides.
“Candor, I didn’t mean –” Elizabeth sighed, realizing she incidentally struck a nerve. She couldn’t help but think about Justin and what he would’ve said. She pinched her forehead, trying to calm herself down. “I…” She shook her head. “Just wash up and get ready for dinner, okay?”
Candor made his way to the bathroom, sulking. His footsteps echoed the silence between them. Neither spoke about the emptiness of the apartment – how quiet it was without him. Before Candor closed the door, he turned to his mom and said, “It’s been worse ever since he’s been gone.” He shut the door with force behind him.
Elizabeth stood in silence for a moment. She wiped a tear trying to escape. How mature he was starting to sound made her proud and pissed off at the same time just like Justin would. Leftovers warmed up on the stovetop. She went back to the living room to read the book. She knew Candor was going to take his time in the shower and go to his room. The space between them grew. As she continued analyzing the pages of the book, her thoughts drifted again.
*****
The memory always seemed fresh when the sun’s rays kissed Elizabeth’s face. It was a beautiful day at the park with Justin and Candor. Justin was sitting beside her on a rustic bench, reading the same book. Candor was on the playground’s swing set with other kids. Bits of sand from it blew. It was a bit brisk outside so they sported jackets to warm themselves from the chill. Elizabeth stared at Justin a bit annoyed. Justin had his nose buried in the book, not noticing.
“Can I ask you a question?” Elizabeth asked in the politest tone.
“I’m all ears,” he replied, eyes still glued to the pages. It wasn’t just a question.
“You love that book more than me, don’t you?” she teased, covering her face from sand.
He set the book down on his lap, not taking his hands off it. “Jealous?”
She smiled, making a gesture with her index finger and thumb almost touching.
Justin playfully sighed. “We’re finally out and about enjoying this scenery and our time together. Can’t we just be at peace?”
Elizabeth was tight-lipped for a bit, reluctantly deciding if she should mention what she was thinking or not. “I agree…but it’s supposed to be precisely what you said. Our time together, Jay. Not you and whatever story you’re reading.” She briefly touched the book in his hands, closing the spine completely. “You’ve been reading it for several days now. Aren’t you done?”
He shifted uncomfortably on the bench, anticipating another shouting match. “It’s more than that…it explains everything – literally everything about society. Why it is the way it is.”
Elizabeth quickly looked over at Candor to check on him. He was playing alone now at the swing set after some of the other kids left. His distant stare resonated with Elizabeth. “Even why a father can’t spend time with his family?” She turned again to Justin.
He frowned, a bit irritated and probably thought she was trying to start something.
She realized how her question came off. “Let me rephrase.” She put her hands up defensively, signifying a truce. “I’m not trying to fight or anything. I’m just saying…we barely spend time with each other as it is. You work nights. I work days. I’m curious why that” – she briefly pointed at the book – “has your attention so much.”
Justin attempted to say something but stopped himself just as he opened his mouth to speak. He gazed at the playground full of life. Green, lush grass danced as the wind blew, hints of pine freshened the air, and parents played joyously with their kids. Candor smiled and waved at him. He grinned and waved back. Finally, he said, “Here.” He passed the book onto her lap to read. “It’s better if you understand yourself. I’ll go play with our son.”
Elizabeth grinned, a bit cheerful on the inside. If reading this book got his attention to be toward them instead, she was satisfied.
“Be back in a bit.” He rushed over to Candor at the swing set. He began roughhousing with him in the leaves before giving him a boost on the swing. Candor giggled excitedly. Their laughter and the sun’s rays warmed her beyond measure as she opened the front cover to The True Patriarchy for the first time.
*****
Tears flowed forth from Elizabeth’s eyes as she looked around the bare white walls of her living room. They dampened the seams of the pages seeping through her own wall she put up. She set the book down on the living room table and exhaled sharply. Calming herself down to control her breathing, ironically, suffocated her. A flood of trauma came rushing like ocean waves from the overflow of pain. Her hair fell on her face while her head was buried in her palms. She wanted her meds but already took her standard dose for the day.
Damn it… Why? Why did you go, Justin? she thought. I can’t do this without you. For godsake… Short pants escaped her heart and lungs in sharp, quick successions. “If you just stayed with us, you’d still be alive instead of being a damn ghost in our heads!”
She smelled the leftover chicken, rice, and vegetables permeate its aroma throughout the apartment, but vivid images seeped back from that fateful day.
*****
Elizabeth, Justin, and Candor were walking home from the grocery store after spending time at the park. A car turned the curb and was a bit too close for comfort. Candor jumped from seeing it in his peripheral and tripped on a crack sticking out from the concrete.
“Oww!” Candor blurted out.
“You okay?” Elizabeth asked, about to pick him up. But Justin beat her to it.
Candor squinted, attempting to cry, but Justin hushed him. “Shhh… It’s okay. Remember not to be afraid of the world, little man. It might make you fall now and again, but what’s important is how you pick yourself up.” Justin snuggled him in his arms while walking.
Candor latched his arms around his neck. Elizabeth saw how brave Candor tried to be by not crying in front of his father. “Thank you, Daddy” he whispered.
Elizabeth felt her heart swell. “You know he didn’t really get what you said, right?”
Justin looked over to Elizabeth with a smirk on his face. “One day he will.”
They spotted a homely man across the street, buttoning up a little girl’s jacket to make sure she was warm. He had a long scraggly beard with hair long enough to cover his face. Elizabeth and Justin saw him from time to time as he was a struggling single father trying to make ends meet for him and his daughter. Elizabeth grew fond of the pair as her heart would ache seeing Justin sympathize with them. But they were struggling just the same. Seeing them reminded her to be thankful for what she had. Candor would also get excited since the man’s daughter was around his age to play with whenever they conversed. Justin freed a hand carrying Candor to wave. The man waved back and smiled half-heartedly, appreciating their kindness.
Suddenly, a group came along behind the father and daughter and surrounded them. There were three women and two guys. Some were in their teens.
“What are you doing with that little girl, old man?” The woman that spoke front and center wore a shirt that stated, “Shoot your local pedophile.”
“She’s my daughter, young lady,” he replied, startled and a bit nervous.
“Fuckin’ liar!” one of the teenage boys said. He pulled out a pocketknife and ejected the blade. It intimidated the old man as they squared off on a dead patch of dirt near the sidewalk.
Elizabeth’s and Justin’s eyes grew in horror as they realized the man and his daughter were surrounded by a radical group. The men with them must’ve been supporters of the extremists. Some men thought like them, and others pretended to just to survive and not be antagonized themselves. Justin noticed the woman who spoke to him first had a gun tucked underneath the waist of her pants covered by her shirt.
“Freakin’ open carry laws let any psycho walk around with a murder weapon these days…” Justin said to Elizabeth under his breath. Tightness took hold in her chest as she didn’t have a good feeling. Candor started crying in Justin’s arms. The rest of the group pulled the man’s daughter from him. Their shoes scuffled the earth beneath them when they grabbed her.
“Let me gooo!” the girl screamed.
“Leave her alone!” the dad shouted.
“Look at that! She’s already been brainwashed by this perv,” one of the other women said. “Stockholm syndrome at its finest.”
“Get that sick man away from her!” another one shouted.
Justin gritted his teeth, unable to watch any longer from across the street. Others passing turned a blind eye. He put down Candor and nudged him toward Elizabeth to keep him safe.
Elizabeth gripped Justin’s arm tight. “Don’t you dare. We have a child.”
“So does he,” Justin shot back.
“Not our problem, and we have enough of them as it is.” Her eyes welled up, concerned.
Justin jerked his hand away. “We have to do something, Beth.” His compassion bore through her soul. “This isn’t gonna hold out anymore.”
The intent in Justin’s eyes were clear as day. Perhaps on some level, she knew he spoke the truth. So, she let him go. He frantically crossed the street, evading and sliding between honking cars to confront the group. “Hey! That’s his daughter. I know them. Leave ‘em alone.”
“Oh? An accomplice, huh?” the woman packing the gun said. She turned to her group. “Take her from here. I’ll make sure these assholes pay.”
Some of the group took off with the man’s daughter. They headed toward a nearby alley while the woman with the gun and one of the men stayed behind.
“No,” the old man said. “Give me back my little girl!”
“Shut up, pig!” She quickly pulled out her gun from her waist. In the blink of an eye, a shot was fired. Dark red liquid trickled down the old man’s head. The street soaked itself with the blood’s crimson innocence. The daughter saw it before her captor turned the corner with her.
“Aaahhh!” The daughter screeched as her father fell to the ground.
Justin’s eyes widened in horror as the old man’s life was taken. Elizabeth covered Candor’s face while they stood still across the street, watching the tragedy unfold.
“What’s wrong with you?!” Justin shouted at the two radicals. “You just ripped a child away from their parent for no reason except to satisfy your own damn delusion!”
The woman sucked her teeth. “You men would say anything to get out of trouble.” She directed her gun toward Justin. He was baffled by her lack of empathy. Before she could try to pull the trigger, he launched into a full sprint to take her down. He would’ve succeeded, but the other man in the radical group who stayed behind kicked Justin in the rib cage and stopped him in his tracks. “Go to hell,” the woman said with a coldness as stiff as the air.
The shot rang through the heavens. It became a nonstop echo, pinging in Elizabeth’s head as she witnessed in devastation as her husband fell to the ground like the old man. No one stopped to help. A hole was in his chest. Blood seeped out like a tiny river, resembling the death of a once civilized society. She was in disbelief. He literally gave his heart for what he believed in. With his last breath, he stared at her and uttered “live”. She barely heard it but also read his lips to pick up on what he said, taking in the sight from afar.
“Momma, Daddy’s hurt!” Candor shouted in shock. Elizabeth’s maternal instincts kicked in. She picked up Candor and threw him over her shoulder, running for dear life and not looking back. “Momma! Where’re we going? Daddy’s in pain!” He didn’t realize his father was dead.
“I know…” Elizabeth said to Candor. “And we’re gonna feel that pain for a long time.”
*****
Elizabeth still felt like she was running every day. The smell of seasoned chicken was strong throughout the apartment, now slightly burnt. She heard Candor’s bedroom door open. She quickly wiped her tears as she sat on the living room sofa, resuming her book.
“The leftovers…” He hurriedly walked toward the kitchen. “You alive?”
Elizabeth didn’t respond. Maybe she wasn’t. Maybe she was biding her time like she did during her coffee breaks just to survive their society.
Candor turned the knob to the stove off with unnecessary force, a bit annoyed by his mom’s silence. “I’ll fix my own plate and go to my room then.”
“Candor, sit down,” Elizabeth said. She patted an open spot for him on the cush sofa.
“Been through lectures all day. Don’t need another one.”
“Candor,” Elizabeth shifted toward him, moving some of the couch pillows. “Sit. Down.” More authority rose from her voice.
Candor stared at the back of her head for a moment, trying to read her. He went from the kitchen and sat down on the couch next to her in the living room. He let the leftovers cool off on the stove. She folded her arms, took a moment, and contemplated what to say to him.
“You know he’s in my head every day?”
Candor didn’t reply, but she saw he was less tense as he relaxed his jaw.
“I miss him too.” She unfolded her arms, feeling the warmth of the rug beneath their feet. “But we can’t go against the system. There’re consequences…” Her voice trailed a bit. “We have to be smart to live in this world.”
“Live? Look what happened to dad…what it did…” He turned away from her. “To us…”
Elizabeth’s heart sank from his remark, noticing their relationship had been strained ever since. She put her hand on the space of the sofa between them. A sincere look from her heart was exchanged. “What if I told you it was by design?”
Candor raised his brow, confused. She noticed just how much he’d grown sitting this close to him. He really was starting to look like a young man, especially with his disguise off.
Elizabeth’s eyes met his endearingly. “Your father and I weren’t always struggling. He was once an engineer who had a degree in both civil engineering and robotics. He even helped with blueprints long ago for some of the structures we have now in the city.” She turned toward the window away from Candor in shame. “I, on the other hand, taught philosophy. I specialized in lectures on the patriarchy before there was a department dedicated to feminist studies.”
Candor sat up a bit instead of slouching. “You’re why I have to pretend to be a girl?”
“Not exactly.” Elizabeth coughed to clear her throat. “At first, it was about equality. More rights for women was the goal. However, somewhere along the line, it got out of hand.”
Candor listened intently. He hugged a pillow and sat Indian style, bracing himself. Elizabeth pulled out her phone from her pocket. She went to a search engine and began typing something on the screen. Light images projected from it. She flicked her finger up while touching one of the images. It suddenly expanded as a projection from one of the lenses on the back of her phone. She set the phone face down on the back edge of the sofa. Holographic images of a video feed projected across most of the living room as if they were in the moment. Candor looked on in amazement at what the hologram was showing them.
“Decades ago, before your time,” Elizabeth continued, “the media exposed men who abused their power. Movie directors exploited actress’s bodies for them to get a role.” The hologram showed clips of women and some men rallying in front of studios, luxurious houses, and businesses, protesting with picket signs. They shouted at directors, rich men, and corporate heads. Some threw glass bottles, rocks, and anything they could get their hands on at them. Scrapes, gashes, cuts, and other lacerations were visible on people’s skin and through their clothing as fights broke out. Others had worse injuries. Candor was shocked as one protester had blood smeared across her face, missing some teeth. A corporate head jumped out of his car after protesters ignited it on fire. Officers were in the middle, trying to stop the riots. Elizabeth noticed some of the distress on Candor’s face but resumed with the truth. “Rich entrepreneurs ran child trafficking rings selling young girls. Corporate heads only gave promotions to women who would sleep with them.” She tried to keep her wits about her while explaining. “The list goes on…”
Candor parted his mouth in disbelief. “Is that why people hate boys at my school?”
“They’re hated everywhere now. It started movements geared toward positive change for women in society. Little did we know how radical it would become, especially when women started to gain more positions in political offices.” Elizabeth fiddled with her fingers as if it were her meds. The holographic clips now displayed women of history that took key positions in running the world. A lot gave gender-biased speeches ironically preaching equality, further spreading the hate already in the public’s heart. “Everything changed when the three branches decided to fund its campaigns toward female electives. Men eventually weren’t given any support. Due to social media and propaganda, the world started to think all men contributed toward the patriarchy.”
“You and dad…arguing. Was that…?” She saw Candor trying to connect the dots.
Elizabeth solemnly nodded as she got up and started toward the kitchen. “Society began oppressing men the same way women were oppressed.” She didn’t take her phone. It was still replaying the previous clips. She noticed and relayed a voice command. “Cut to 2043.” A graph appeared, highlighting the decline of men in the workforce. Other clips showed men getting harassed and bullied on the street by women. The ones that fought back were arrested by officers. Candor was speechless as one man was body slammed and cuffed on the concrete for speaking his mind. “The government went along with it. It unintentionally created a matriarchy. It’s the reason why your father was laid off and couldn’t find a suitable job to match his qualifications.”
“And you?” Candor eyed her serving the leftovers on plates. “You quit?”
Elizabeth stared at the pots on the stove, avoiding Candor’s gaze. “I’ve always admired how bright you are…” She glanced at him and looked away as if his light was too bright. “Turn off,” she commanded to her phone. The living room dimmed without the light from the images to brighten it. But somehow, it didn’t make a difference to her with Candor there. “One day, I saw how my idealism was doing more harm than good, especially to the man I loved.” She took a deep breath. “The mainstream media hid how men were also exploited for their bodies for acting gigs. No one spoke about the pedophilia of boys…how men had the highest suicide rate…how most of the homeless were men…single fathers’ mistreatment in courts…and so on.”
“The old man dad died for…” Candor realized, adding to her point.
She shrugged, in a way finishing his sentence as she put the pots in the sink. Candor studied her as he walked back to the kitchen, perhaps realizing how much of a weight this was on her chest. “Or I should say…we chose not to speak about it… Now, they’ve been shunned from everything.” She touched Candor’s shoulder. “Everyone is going through something. Your dad believed helping each other through it is what mattered. I had a choice… It was either your father or following the world.”
Candor’s eyes lit up and met hers as his anger toward her dissipated. “You chose dad.”
Elizabeth patted her son on the head. “I chose family.” They both slightly grinned. “It wasn’t easy. Your dad and I had to learn different skills and work in different professions to make ends meet. High wage-earning jobs slowly laid off men for women.”
Candor’s grin faded. He assisted his mom with setting the plates down in the dining room. “So, you and dad struggled. I still don’t get why.”
Elizabeth briefly walked to the living room to retrieve the book she was reading. She showed it to Candor as they sat to eat in the dining room. “The True Patriarchy…” Candor uttered, reading the title.
“Not sure if you’re old enough to understand everything in it, but your father had me read this.” She opened the book and directed his attention toward specific pages. A shiver ran up her body as she remembered how Justin showed her the truth between those same pages in the past. It was as if she could still feel his gruff, patient hands guiding her. “Elitists who are on top profit off our division. It explains the different class systems, segregation, wars, etcetera… People that are divided are easier to control.”
Candor’s eyes grew with intrigue from reading some of the material. “They don’t teach this in class.” He dug into his food while continuing to study the words on the pages.
“Why would they? It’s a system of control – a life I’m trying to shield you from.” She briefly rubbed his cheek while beginning to eat her food. “Feminism wasn’t the only socialist tool these elitists used to divide people.” She brought his attention to another section of the book on the topic of technology. She briefly pointed at her phone and then to a device at the entrance of their apartment. It was an intricate set up integrated into their door. “A.I. generated systems were put into place years ago for security at the cost of our privacy.”
“Police will have more power to impose the elite’s will on civilians under the guise of keeping us safe,” Candor read aloud from the book.
“Authorities never acted on those people who killed your father.” Elizabeth knew Candor could see the despair on her face as she said it. “They wanted conventional families gone.”
“Why? I don’t get it,” Candor set his fork down, giving himself some time to chew.
“When families are broken, societies are more vulnerable to control. Once you’re older, you’ll recognize it. This has been going on for a long time.” She affectionately touched his chin to bring his face to her eye level. “You understand why I have you do the things you do now?”
He respectfully brushed off her hand. “What happens if I’m 18, 21…? You still want me to be a girl even though I don’t want to?”
Elizabeth was quiet for a moment, continuing to eat and not knowing how to respond.
Candor placed his hand in the space between them on the table. “Didn’t dad say not to be afraid of the world?”
Goosebumps crept along Elizabeth’s skin. Maybe Justin’s ghost was there, haunting
Elizabeth until she listened to him. She hesitantly touched his hand, closing the gap. “There is another option – other countries who haven’t compromised themselves for the world.”
“Really?” Candor’s stomach growled as he ate. He must’ve been hungrier than he thought as he blushed.
Elizabeth smiled, still seeing some remnants of the little boy she used to know. “Really. But we’ll talk it about it tomorrow. Eat, okay?” Candor anxiously dug into his plate. Elizabeth felt they were finally getting through to each other, building something new.
“Landlord and authorities have arrived to enforce new mandate.” The A.I. generated voice of the apartment cracked the frame of their tender moment.” Please answer promptly and comply with the new regulation codes. Thank you.”
“New mandate?” Elizabeth said, perplexed. Both their heads jerked towards the door.
“Open up, Elizabeth!” a voice boomed on the other side of the apartment’s entrance door. “I know you and Candice are in there. Or should I say Candor?” It was the landlord.
Elizabeth’s heart dropped. Her worse nightmare was coming true. How do they know about my son? she thought. She stopped eating and rushed over to the door.
“We search tenant history of residents for credit checks,” the landlord said over the A.I. system’s intercom as if reading her thoughts. “Your son’s name was written as Candor on the last apartment you had with your husband.”
“Crap!” Candor said in a panic, nearly choking on his food in the dining room.
“Also, your past audio feed was kind of a dead giveaway.”
“That’s an invasion of privacy!” Elizabeth shouted through the end of her intercom.
“Come’s with the territory of renting smart apartments,” the landlord said. “It wasn’t a big deal until now. However, new mandate says all males are to leave U.S. soil. Anyone harboring one will be held in contempt by court of law. Nothing personal.”
“Shhhit!” Candor attempted to hide, but he and Elizabeth realized it was useless. The moment the authorities broke through, it was all over.
Elizabeth thought back to the conversation she had with her coworker, Shelly. The news discussed a new law that was being debated about whether it would take effect. Her eyes widened as reality hit. She barricaded the apartment door. Various household furniture scraped the floor, leaving desperate streaks. Candor helped. “And what if he chose to get a sex change or identifies as a female, huh?” she asked through the other end of the intercom, trying to find excuses to stall them. “It’s his right!”
“Ma’am, this is not a violation.” She heard a different female voice, probably part of the authorities. “Please read the following document regarding the new mandate on your screen.”
A notification sound brought Elizabeth’s attention to the screen of the A.I. system integrated into the door. It read:
“As of today (November 12th, 2059), The No Male Act has taken effect. This law states that all men on the grounds of U.S. soil are to leave and be escorted immediately. Exceptions are as follows:
Two-income households consisting of a man and a woman will allow the man to stay temporarily until a government subsidy is given to the woman or a suitable female replacement of the two incomes is chosen. Whichever comes first.
Any remaining male part of important societal infrastructures such as construction, banks, law enforcement, enterprises, etc. will train female replacements. After training session concludes, the males will be escorted off U.S. soil by proper authorities. (Only exceptions are males categorized as top 1% of economic class).
People born as males as stated on their birth certificates but identifies as a different gender later in life must have registered their identity change to the Bureau. Documents must have been finalized before the mandate has taken effect.
Single parents are required to give their children to child services. Single mothers are allowed to keep their daughters. However, sons must be given to said services. Single fathers must be escorted off U.S. grounds by proper authorities. Their sons must also be given to said services. However, their daughters are given to adoption agencies where the proper female(s) will be chosen to adopt the child.
Any person not abiding by the mandate or found aiding a male fugitive in any capacity will be seen as an offense punishable by incarceration.”
This is insane! Elizabeth thought.
“Elizabeth, you’ve been a good tenant, but the authorities will arrest you if you don’t give them your son,” the landlord said.
Elizabeth and Candor stared at each other in fear, realizing their fate. All their time trying to survive this society led to this. While bracing the door with the furniture they barricaded it with, Elizabeth searched the apartment frantically. Her eyes settled on the book she left on the dining room table. She sprinted to it and back, so Candor wasn’t the only one holding the door. She handed the book to Candor. He looked at it and then at her, bewildered.
“Go and run far away from here as you can. I wrote down the remaining countries in the book still resisting the rule of the U.S. along with plans a while back in case we had to go.”
His mouth parted in shock. “I can’t… What are you gonna do?”
“I’ll hold them off.”
“Mom, you can’t –”
“Shut up, and do what I say without arguing for once!”
Candor’s eyes started to water. It reminded her of his eight-year-old self – confused and scared. Stress got the better of her. She realized she didn’t want his memory, perhaps the last one of her, to be filled with anger and regret. She calmed down, took a breath, and said, “They still believe in traditional families. Find your own and fight back.” She ran her fingers through Candor’s hair and kissed him on the forehead. “You really are your father’s son.”
“I…I’m my mother’s too,” he said saddened, perhaps realizing what his mother was doing and finally getting a sense of what his parents were arguing about all those years ago.
Tears cascaded like a waterfall between them. The dam that was holding back both of their emotions finally broke. “Then, do what your hard-headed mother was unable to do, okay?”
He looked into her eyes, listening and sniffling at the same time.
“Live!”
He wanted to say “Yes, ma’am”, but he choked. His bottom lip quivered holding the book under his arm. She could tell there was so much he wanted to say, but he had to go. He sprinted and jumped out of the window, rolling safely from the two-story jump before running for his life.
The apartment door flung open. Debris scattered everywhere. Elizabeth gasped for air. They used a small powerful machine that acted like a door breacher to push the door and the objects barricading it. “We hereby authorize your arrest for aiding a fugitive,” a female law enforcer said. The landlord stood right beside her, vaping as if it was another day at the office.
Elizabeth didn’t care. She smiled while they slammed her to the ground and cuffed her. Her floor was now full of dust, being left behind with the filth that was now their city. She looked out the window Candor jumped from. A crow was about to perch on the windowsill. However, it quickly flew away, leaving but a feather swaying in the wind. Light from the burnt orange of the sunset peeked through the blinds. Warmth and tenderness filled her core as she thought back to the picture-perfect moment she was in at the park with Justin and their son. His ghost in her head finally grew quiet at peace. The physical pain from the handcuffs and being pinned to the floor hurt, echoing the pain her beloved left behind. But she knew as long as a piece of them lived on, everything would be okay.
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About
I’ve published articles, blogs, and a novel. I also have a website, social media presence on sites such as Amazon and Goodreads and attended colleges such as SNHU to advance my career. Yet, making an economic living is still difficult despite the patriarchy claiming to adhere solely to men. I witnessed men face as much hardship as women. As a kid, I only survived with my mother because of various accommodations given to women by the government, especially single mothers, not given to men. Later, I faced these hardships as well despite being a man.
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