L.O.V.E.

contains gun violence

Marie typed with concentration and a sense of fury. 

The country has become a formidable and destitute place to exist…..

  Kindness is being white washed from our minds through media, lawmakers, and AI robots, only to be replaced with fear, mistrust, and hate. 

 American Times allows readers and authors alike to express and reminisce over shared memories of bygone eras, or celebrating small wins in our present day lives. Within these pages, we can breathe a little easier, smile even.

The true stories are published with intent to remind us that faith ,hope and love still exist, despite the state of society. I’ve never been a firm christian, especially now, but Corinthians 13:13 comes to mind. To paraphrase, but the greatest of these is love.   

We can choose to name ourselves, or remain anonymous. I choose to name myself. I am Marie Fleming. It is with honor that I write for this profound magazine along with its numerous contributors. In memory of Valentine’s Day, and love itself, now stricken from our calendars and outlawed by executive order, I’d like to share with you the story of my first kiss. 

 An hour later, content with her work, she clicked submit. 

Yawning, she decided to turn in early. She thought to herself,  

That way, I’ll have a clear head in the morning to plan the agenda for the next recruitment. But first…

February 14, 2032

The new revolution is near. I write my testimony in this journal as proof that I did/do in fact exist. 

 In the event I meet my demise at the hands of our government, my successor will retrieve this journal and the plethora of evidence we have collected to the higher courts in waiting. Step two will then be implicated. 

They haven’t yet banned social media. They know by doing so would only draw more attention to their true intent. One thing that Americans won't tolerate is losing freedom of speech, especially online, don't get me started… I do like the cat videos though…

I digress, Our hope as Leaders of the Organization for Victory and Equality, or L.O.V.E. is to systematically expose the corruption of the so-called leaders of our country, after which step two will be implemented without the use of violence and is regarded as top secret. I have no access as of yet. 

 Sectors are growing. Our patterns are still safe and highly efficient, yet I know this is a dangerous undertaking, and there could be moles out there. Initiation is not foolproof, risky, preposterous even, but word is out that it will be as such, and change at random.

 Myself and the brave people that rally choose love, not sides. Not republican, democrat, race, gender, financial status, etc. 

AI intelligence in human form is living among us. That we can accept. We will not accept deprogramming. I will not elaborate. This can be found in the next issue. There is no way in hell we can survive without love in any form. It's the natural order, and I’ll be damned if I am forced to repress from showing it. 

February 24, 2032

“Colin, listen to this excerpt from American Times. It's the sweetest.

I remember it like yesterday. June 24, 1992. Two thirteen year olds sitting under the bridge in Howell. After the seventh bell from the courthouse clock chimed, I swear it was so quiet I could hear my heartbeat aloud. Chad inched closer to me. I thought, “Oh God! Is this it? Are we really gonna kiss?”  

He took my hand, and I almost pulled back, because if I’m honest, I was grossed out by his sweaty palms.

“I really like you.”

I looked away from the graffiti I was pretending to read and into his big brown eyes, then he leaned in and kissed me. It was little more than a peck, a bit slobbery even, inexperienced. 

Looking back, the moment was over lickety split. But the feeling I had electrified me with love, and that memory will live on forever.

Colin hunched, held a finger to his lips, and nodded to the Alexa.

Emory drooped her head and clanged the spoon against the side of her cereal bowl. 

“Right! Sorry.”

Colin reached for Emory’s hand and spoke in a hushed voice. 

“It's just,.. you know we’re being monitored more heavily now Em. I was warned at work. Our conversations opposing the new Acts and orders have been flagged. Johnny’s on the inside. He warned me. We’ve suspected for a long time that they listen,....but I’ve seen a lot more unknown faces walking around the neighborhood.”

Emory stood, snatched her bowl from the table, and threw it in the sink resulting in a loud clang. 

Hands on her hips, she turned,

“You know what Colin? We’re one of the lucky couples that came together the old way. You know? Naturally! not forced by some algorithm, or matched up by a phony pastor in some phony church! It must be hell out there for single people!”

Pounding her fist on the counter, she continued, 

“We’re in our thirties now and the clock is ticking. We shouldn't be told we can only have one child. Dallas should have the gift of sibling LOVE! When he’s older, he should have the gift of a LOVE story! We should be able to talk about who and how we LOVE each other, and spread LOVE in the community. Not forced to behave like robots! Come on,... Don't you remember our first kiss?”

Colin lowered his eyes. 

“Em! Please. My job is at stake.”

Emory flung herself into Colin’s lap, grabbed his face in her hands so that he was looking her in the eyes, and said, 

“Look at me with those beautiful blue eyes of yours! Fuck it! Fuck the job! Fuck it all! Let them take it all away. I don't care about the material things. I feel like we have nothing left to truly live for anyway! All the little things that brought happiness to our hearts have been stripped away. Only you! YOU and Dallas are what I live for!”

Colins eyes darted, he tapped his foot.

“Em, I… “

He pulled her into him, and kissed her, fiercely, passionately, before meeting her hazel eyes, and stroking her long brown hair.

“Ok. Let's do it. Get up.”

Pointing to Alexa, he made a fist and hammer motion. Emory took the clue, got a hammer from the tool drawer, and smashed it to pieces. Looking back at Colin, she breathlessly asked, 

“Now what?”

 “Let’s join”

With tears in her eyes, Emory asked, 

“You mean it? We’re really gonna do this?”

“ We’re gonna do it alright! But let's make Dallas a sibling first!”

7:06 p.m. February 24, 2030

Emory’s breath fogged as she shoved her hands in the pockets of her parka. Colin’s sneakers ground salt into the pavement as he jumped in place.  

“How long before they let us in? You’re sure this is the right place? It's not exactly conspicuous.”

Emory nodded, saying under her breath, 

“Yes! 1313 Fleming street. 7:00 p.m. the meet up info is always hidden in the text of the latest issue. Besides, wouldn't it be more obvious we were up to something if it was some dark alley?”

“Clever.Noted.”

Colin saw an employee dressed in black and white coming toward the doors.

“Finally!” he huffed.

 The employee lowered the red velvet rope and smiled nervously through the glass while he unlocked the doors. 

Emory’s stomach dropped. She thought,

  Clever? Noted? Is this a mistake? Can I really trust Colin? He’s a State Represenative for fucks sake! 

She scolded herself.

Of course I can! Besides, I might be pregnant again! He wouldn't do that to me. Would he?

She smiled and waved a gloved hand back at the young man opening the doors.

“I'm so sorry! I thought my boss had already opened the doors. I was in the back getting more popcorn boxes. Come in ! You’re here for the early screening right?”

“Yep. Captain America!” Emory added. 

Colin knew that tone of voice. It meant that Emory was nervous.

Well, she should be! He thought. 

They were seated inside an empty theater. Colin took out his phone and opened facebook. Emory noticed, alarmed, and yanked it from his hands. 

“What the hell are you doing? You were supposed to leave this in the car! We talked about the procedure!”

She looked around before powering it down, threw it on the floor, and stomped it. 

Colin stood with balled fists.  

“Why the fuck did you do that?” I could have just taken it back to the car! You’re paranoid!”

Arms at her sides, Emory got in Colin's face. 

“Better paranoid than locked up or dead!”

Colin put his arms on Emory’s shoulders. 

“Babe, ..”

Just then a group entered the dim theater, and all eyes were on them. 

Colin cleared his throat. 

“I mean, wife… sit. I’ll pick it up, just an accident.”

The group seated themselves and no further contact or comment was made. Colin and Emory sat back down. Colin whispered to Emory, 

“Calm down ok? We’re ok. We’re safe.”

Emory folded her arms, asking in an audible whisper,

“Are we Colin?”

“Look, I know what it looks like considering who I am. I'm an idiot sometimes. Habits stay with us, and this is a change, but you can trust me.”

Emory relaxed, realizing she was over the top. She was here in the name of Love after all. She hated to, but she pulled from memory the mandated emotional repression techniques.

A few stragglers took their seats and moments later, a woman appeared from behind the burgundy curtain taking center stage, hands folded and smiling.

“Welcome! I’m Marie. Marie with various aliases, but always Marie. It warms me to see a good number of you here, and I trust that we’re all here for the same purpose. I’d like to emphasize that, TRUST.”

Emory said under her breath to Colin, 

“She looks like a hippy. Not what I expected.”

“What exactly did you expect?”

“I don't know? Someone tougher looking?”

Marie continued,  

“Whether you have come with someone, or alone. It is vital to LOVES mission that your TRUST is rock solid, for both your confidants with you tonight, your relationships on the outside, and most importantly, yourself.”

Emory squeezed Colin’s hand.

Good. She’s coming around. Colin thought. 

“I’ve hosted a few meetings now, and I hear you. "Sure Marie, I can trust myself or so and so, but how can I trust a stranger?”

Marie outreached her arms, gesturing to the audience. 

“These strangers, or you? The simple answer is, you can’t.”

People shift uneasily. 

“We never fully know that we can trust someone. It's built, earned, and once established, it’s given as a gift”. Even then, it can be destroyed in an instant. That's where faith comes in. You have to have faith in people. Without having faith in someone, you can't trust them. 

Marie shifted her weight, and cleared her throat.

“Now. I will warn you. The next several minutes will be frightening, but I have faith in all of you, and trust that you are here for LOVE and betterment for all. Love gets really crazy sometimes, heated even. I ask that you all remain calm, and seated for through this process until I call you to the stage.”

Audience members looked around at one another and Emory looked to Colin with a baffled expression. Marie asks,

“Are you all still with me?” 

 Although uneasily, heads nod in unison.  

“Ok.”

In an instant, Marie shifted her vest and skirt, pulled out a nine mm pistol, and pointed it at the audience. 

Everyone gasped. A woman screamed. Most ducked and hit the floor. A large man with a long gray beard stood immediately, grabbed for his concealed weapon as well, and pointed it back at Marie. Colin pushed Emory’s head down and ducked as well. 

“Oh God! I have eyes on the exit, and ears in the reel room. The situation is handled, stay calm, stay low and follow me. I’ll get us out safe babe.”

Emory could feel Colin’s hands firm on her back. The rush of adrenaline, and racing thoughts overtook her. To Colin’s surprise, she pushed him off of her and back into his seat. 

“NO! I warned you. I knew that something intense was going to happen. We talked about that too! Do you ever listen to me?”

Colin scowled, threw his hands in surrender and took a step back. 

“I really dont think this is the time to nag me Emory!”

“Colin! SIT. DOWN.”

Everyone was frozen in place. Marie stood still aiming at the audience. She looked at Colin.

“Colin, is it?”

“Yea.”

“Look, Colin, I need you to sit down. I need you to trust your wife’s instincts. Do you trust that she never knowingly put you in danger?”

“Yea.”

“Then sit down.”

Colin obeyed. 

Marie turned with the gun back at gray beard. 

“You! What's your name? I know it's not hero or stupid.”

Gray beard cocked his weapon ready to fire.

“You bitch! I’ll shoot!”

Marie, shouting louder and side stepping, 

“YOUR NAME!”

“Harold.”

They were at a standoff. Marie’s voice was unusually calm.

“Ok. Harold, why did you come tonight? I'm guessing it wasnt to shoot me.”

 Harold looked confused, but answered begrudgingly. 

“I came in the name of LOVE.”

Marie did not stammer. 

“O.k Then if you came in the name of LOVE, then lower your weapon.”

“What? NO!”

Marie continued, 

“If you came in the name of LOVE, not certain of what tonight would bring, but knowing the foundation's mission, then can you look me in the eye and tell me that you still want to harm me?”

Harold’s hands shook ever so slightly. 

“Harold? Did you have faith coming here tonight that all would be ok? That you would be joining something for a true cause?”

“Yyyyes.”

Ok Harold, if you had faith knowing that all would be ok, you trusted your own decision to join us tonight, you know what LOVES mission is, then isn't it safe to deduce that I too, have the same intent?”

Harold’s arms lowered more. 

“Harold? Do you trust that I’m not going to harm anyone here?”

“Yeaaa… makes sense.”

Marie shifted her weight. 

“Good. then please stand down. 

Harold returned the pistol to its holster and sank into his seat. 

Marie lowered her gun. 

“Now. Everyone. For the next part of initiation, I'm going to place my weapon on the floor and back away. I will then point to each of you individually to come to the stage where you will introduce yourself, and shake my hand. You and the group will have FAITH and TRUST that no one will act in opposition to our mission, and I will have that same faith and trust in you as you approach me. Afterward, please return to your seat. Everyone understand?”

Marie looked to the audience for signs of uprising. A few nodded, but most were still. No one knew that a cold sweat chilled her, or that she had learned to control fear and adrenaline so well. She drew a shallow breath.

“Ok, Harold, you first. Come on up, we already know your name, I’m proud of you for your decision to join.”

Harold rose, climbed the staircase, walked center stage, and cautiously, shook Marie’s outstretched hand. Each successor in the theater did exactly the same until Marie pointed to Colin. 

Emory had been squeezing his hand so hard that he had little circulation left. He dared not say a thing or try to take it from her grasp. His life and loyalty were on the line. He looked at Emory. 

“In all honesty, I..”

“You what?”

Colin scratched behind his ear.

“I don't know what's going to happen now and I’m scared.”

“I am too Colin. But we’re in this together. This huge thing that we hope will make things much better for everyone. For Dallas, for our parents… She took their embraced hands and laid them on her abdomen and this little one. We’l join this rebellion with hopes that we will bring true change. Not only in the name of L.O.V.E. but of our love too.”

  Colin moved Emory’s hair aside and stroked her cheek and thought, 

What have I gotten myself into? 

  Then he smiled brightly at her, leaned in quickly, blindly, smooshing her nose, and kissed her the same way that he did it back in eighth grade under the bleachers.

Marie tapped her foot. 

“Sir, I love the affection, but we only have the theater for another hour.”

Colin rose and followed suit, with Emory being the last to cross the stage and take her seat. Marie retrieved the weapon and placed it within a lockbox that was behind the curtain. 

 Smiling, and able to breathe normally again, Marie lifted her arms to the heavens. She spoke with authority and acceptance. 

“I apologize to you all for putting the fear of the creator in you, but how was that for exercise in trust? Forget those office ice breaker games ehh?”

Some of the group chuckled, most of them looked relieved and exhausted. 

“Please. Everyone stand and give yourselves a round of applause and hug the people seated close to you. Afterward, we will be gathering in the employee lounge to discuss operations moving forward.