The Registry (6 page)

“Don’t hold your breath. Your father might love you on some level, but not as much as he loves money.”

“That’s harsh,” Mia said.

“It’s realistic, and you know it, too, or else you wouldn’t contemplate hurting him like this. You know once you leave you are robbing him of all that money he has invested in raising you. Think about that before you decide to take off to the middle of nowhere and abandon your duties.”

Whitney’s comment wasn’t worth responding to. Refusing to admit defeat, Mia charged up the stairs. Each obstacle strengthened her will to get away.

M
ia paced outside the door to her father’s office. All she needed was some more time. She pondered the idea of making the trip alone but knew she wouldn’t get far without Whitney. She also knew it would be impossible to leave Whitney. Nobody would come to help her. The article twisted Mia’s stomach.
Other nations are too afraid to step in and help these poor women, because (article continued on page 112).
The quote ran through her head; she wished Corinna had kept the other pages.

“Come in,” her father said.

Mia entered the room. She had expected to see Grant, too, but he must have left. Instead her mother was with her father. They both smiled, their faces filled with admiration and happiness for their daughter.

“We were just looking at some things we’ll need for the party on Friday,” her mother said. “Planning a menu and a quick guest list. What do you want to wear? I don’t think we have enough time to have something made for you. Maybe you could rummage through my closet?”

“That was what I was hoping to talk to you about.” Mia’s voice shook. “I don’t want to get married on Friday. It’s not enough time. I want to have my dress made and pick out the decorations.”

“You already had your pretty-dress night last night,” her mother said without looking up from the desk. “It’s simple for the ceremony.”

Her father didn’t even respond; he just continued to flip through the mound of papers.

Mia gulped loudly, knowing she had to push forward. “It’s not fair. It’s my big day and I should have the one I want.”

“Hush.” He wasn’t interested. “You’re an adult now, and you’ll have to deal with changes as they come along. Your husband wants to marry you right away, and you will oblige his wishes.”

“Did he pay you extra to speed up the process?” Mia felt anger in her voice. “After all, that’s all I am to you, a piece of property to sell to the highest bidder. You’re happy. You can’t wait to get rid of me and collect your prize.”

Mia knew she had crossed the line and was expecting punishment. She closed her eyes and prepared for a blow, but neither parent rose or tried to defend themselves. Her father let out a loud sigh.

“Yes, he did give us some extra payment to speed things up. I care for your happiness, but now you are going to answer to someone else and how he chooses to treat and address you will be his business.”

“Honey. Is this about Corinna?” Her mother stood. “It’s okay that you’re nervous. But you got yourself quite a catch. You will have a fabulous life.”

“You two don’t care you’ll never see me again?” Mia asked. “What if I’m beaten? Will you just send me back to die?”

“You’ll have your own family soon and they will matter more than us,” her mother said.

Her parents’ calm demeanor frustrated Mia more than ever.

“You’re getting married on Friday. End of discussion,” said her father.

“Technically, I gave you the money, because without me he wouldn’t be offering anything!” Irritation grew deep inside Mia.

“He is paying
me
for
my
permission. You have no say.” Her father started to get agitated. “This conversation is over.”

Mia tried to speak again, but she wasn’t sure arguing would help. Her parents returned to their smiley, happy selves, looking at more wedding ideas. Mia was always so obedient toward her father; she wasn’t used to his yelling and her instincts made her back down. She didn’t know what else to do.

As she closed the door to her father’s office, she was shocked to see Andrew waiting his turn to speak with them. He looked stunned; it was obvious he’d heard the whole conversation. Mia wasn’t sure if she was imagining it, but she thought he looked like he wanted to console her.

“Hi.” Mia had spent her whole life around young men but never spoken to any of them. He stared right into her eyes; they were fiery and tortured. For a second it looked like he might respond, and she was eager to hear his voice, but he turned away, said nothing, and behaved as if she didn’t exist.

Andrew walked around her and knocked on the door. He entered the office and was greeted by her parents. He showed no interest in her.

Mia’s own stupidity washed over her as she leaned back against the wall and slid to the floor. If she couldn’t even get a boy to say hello to her, there was no way she could survive the trip. She brought her knees up and rested her head on them.

“That’s a shame. I wish you would reconsider.” Her father’s voice carried through the door. “You are a great worker and a fabulous leader. How much time do you have?”

Mia’s eyes widened as she realized Andrew was leaving. It wasn’t fair that he could take off on a whim and she was forever trapped. She kept her ear to the door and listened to the rest of their discussion.

“A little less than a month,” Andrew said. “I want to take some time to just travel around. Get my head clear before I report for duty.”

“But where will you go?” her mother asked. “I hear it is awful out there. Will you be safe?”

“I mean no disrespect, Mrs. Morrissey,” Andrew said. “But it is not as bad as you think. I’ve learned a lot from you, sir, and I appreciate all your help these past years, but I need some time alone before I serve my country.”

“Please, call me Laura. You are like a son to us. It will be hard to see you leave.”

Mia almost laughed out loud at her mother’s comment. Being likened to one of her parents’ children was hardly a compliment. If he was their son they probably would have pushed him out without a second thought. Still, Mia felt frustration over how supportive her parents were of Andrew. She didn’t warrant the same amount of consideration from them.

“I understand. Don’t worry about your time in service—fastest four years of your life,” her father said. “Do you have a branch you’re hoping to serve in?”

“Air force, sir.”

“That is quite impressive. Hardest branch to get into and it comes with the most prestige. Good luck. I was an army man, so I can’t offer any tips.”

“I’ve been interested in flying for as long as I can remember,” Andrew said. “That’s part of the reason I want to leave. To see if I can find a place to brush up.”

“Why tonight though?” asked her mother. “Shouldn’t you wait till the morning? I’m sure I can get a care package ready for you, maybe some food or extra clothes.”

“Thank you, but no. It is better to travel at night. I’m hoping to make it to the highway and then try to hitch a ride in the morning,” Andrew said. “Besides, I’m afraid that if I stay I’ll change my mind and end up here till enlistment time.”

Mia stood and made her way toward her room. She had heard enough. Tonight was the night she’d make a run for it. She was going to have something better than months of planning or Whitney’s common sense. She was going to have a personal guide.

Chapter 10

A wife never inquires into her husband’s background. She need only know that he has served his country nobly and faced many hardships in doing so. In due time he will reveal all he chooses to.

—The Registry Guide for Girls

T
he clock was fast approaching midnight. Mia waited until she was certain everyone was asleep. Dressed in baggy sweatpants and an oversize white T-shirt, she tiptoed downstairs. She stopped in the kitchen and loaded her pack with some bottled water and whatever food would fit, paying little attention to what she was grabbing, and then slid out the back door.

As she made her way inside the garage, Mia felt a stab of guilt. Whitney was right above her, sleeping. Not knowing that she was getting ready to enter a life filled with loneliness and pain. The stairs that led up to Whitney’s apartment were outside at the rear of the garage. Mia knew she needed to offer Whitney one last chance to join her. She was about to step out when she heard the side door swing open.

The idea of getting caught before she even left the property was too much for Mia. She dropped to the floor and hid in the darkness. She felt around till she found a large metal rod and grabbed it. She was more than prepared to use the device on anyone who tried to stop her. As her eyes adjusted to the dark Mia was able to see the outline of the other person’s feet under the car. They were wearing a pair of fluffy slippers.

“Mia,” Whitney said. “I know it’s you. I saw you sneak out of the house.”

Groaning, Mia rose to her feet. “You scared me. I’m leaving. Tonight. Now.”

“I’ll see you in the morning.” Whitney turned around.

“I’m serious, and I have a guide, a real one.”

“Who?”

“Andrew.”

“Liar.”

“It’s the truth. I’m supposed to pick him up. He’s walking toward the highway; he wanted to travel before his enlistment date and he’ll see me to the border. If you want to come you still can, but it’s now or never.”

“You’re full of it. I’m going back to bed.”

“I am dead serious.”

Mia spotted a pair of scissors lying on a workbench. She grabbed them and with one quick snip chopped off her entire ponytail, cementing her boy disguise.

“Your mother is going to freak out,” Whitney said.

“Don’t stay. Please come with me. We can do this together. You can have a better life somewhere else, a life of your choosing,” Mia pleaded. She felt tears welling up at the thought of Whitney working as a servant for the government or as a bride with no free will, blindly serving her mate.

She decided not to wait for Whitney’s response. She needed to show her the escape was happening. Mia opened the door to one of her father’s cars and sat down. She pulled down the visor and a set of keys fell into her lap. She felt around for the ignition, hoping not to lose her edge with Whitney.

“You are serious.” Whitney’s eyes widened.

“I am going to sit right here for ten minutes. Then I am going to start this thing up and leave, with or without you.”

Mia stared straight ahead. As soon as Whitney left the garage, Mia calmed herself and placed the key in the ignition. Her hand was shaking. She reached into her bag and pulled out the article, studying the picture. She closed her eyes and with a quick rip shredded the paper, knowing it was too dangerous to hold on to. And partly for her own relief. Mia knew she would continue to obsess over the article and not focus on her getaway if it wasn’t destroyed. She didn’t need it anymore. She looked at the tiny shreds and wondered if she had made a mistake, if this all was a mistake, but she couldn’t look back now. The article’s remains would be scattered along the road. Mia thought it was a fitting good-bye to her former life.

Her mind went back to the car. She hadn’t been in one for a long time. It was rare that her parents took her off the property. The last time had been over a year ago. Mia had cut herself chopping vegetables and her father needed to take her to the doctor right away. He wanted to make sure there was no scar. She could remember only the pain in her finger, not how he operated the car.

The vehicle didn’t seem that complicated, though; she’d watched plenty of her father’s farmhands start up and drive tractors. It was always from a distance, but the machines seemed similar; she was sure she could figure it out.

Looking in the rearview mirror, Mia examined her hair. She felt no regret for having chopped off her locks but still needed some touch-ups to make her look manlier. She laughed at this thought, because not trying was what made a haircut masculine.

The noise of the main garage door opening startled Mia. Just as she had hoped, Whitney appeared and slid into the passenger seat. Mia was shocked at Whitney’s sudden transformation; her clothes and new haircut made it difficult to tell she wasn’t a boy.

But then Whitney opened her mouth and all illusions vanished. “For the record, I am doing this for me. I think you are insane and making a huge mistake. I doubt anyone will even notice or care I am gone.”

“Okay,” Mia said. “Thank you.”

“Don’t.”

“How did you get ready so fast?”

“I told you, I’m a planner. One of the first things I did was pick out my boy gear, something you obviously didn’t do.” With that Whitney reached into her bag and pulled out a hat, placing it on Mia’s head. “Just try to stay out of anyone’s sight.”

Never ceasing to amaze, Whitney also pulled out a map. She unfolded it to show the layout of the area. Mia didn’t understand any of it. Whitney pointed her finger to a place labeled
IOWA
.

“This is the best I could find. It’s very old and has the old names on it, but I think it’s still good. Now, where are we meeting Andrew?”

“He’s just walking toward the highway.”

“I am going to guess and say this big, thick road is the highway.” Whitney pointed again. “We are here. So head down the driveway and then make a right.”

Mia flipped the key and the car growled to a start. She looked at all the handles and the buttons but wasn’t sure which one to push.

“What are you doing? Drive before someone hears us!”

In a moment of panic, Mia began pushing everything she could. The windshield wipers ran and the lights flashed on and off. She tapped the floor pedals, and the engine revved. She moved one of the levers, and the car flew forward out of the open garage.

Mia gave Whitney a guilty smile. She hit the road and turned right. Mia thought she would feel anxious and scared, but instead she felt peace drift over her. She was on her way out of this world.

T
he ride was awkward and bumpy, and Whitney wasn’t doing much but criticizing. After about an hour grinding down the road and into the night, they were nearing the highway.