Dad

Nani’s first day back working in the clinic means that the waiting room is full. Sitting behind the check-in desk, smiling and screening people to be seen, is a new experience.

I always had a staff that kept things organized for me. To be the person of service rather than being served is new…but I like it.

Revealing my deepest secret to Elizabeth changed me more than I realized it would. I knew the secret kept me contained, kept my life in a state of constant falsehood, but I didn’t realize how good it would feel to be free of that.

Now, as I listen to the chatter of the waiting patients, I’m at peace.

Through the window, I can see Deputy Gummer standing by the front door, his rifle ready, badge shining in the sun.

While the direct threat of Kane and his men has been removed from the immediate area, danger still exists, and it always will.

“Have you heard about the Gray Man?” A blonde woman asks her friend, large with pregnancy and sweating even in the mild temperature of the waiting room.

She shakes her head, appearing uninterested.

“They say he’s a member of the Resistance. That he’s killing skinheads.” She lowers her voice and I lean forward to hear her. “Cutting out their tongues before they die.”

A shiver passes over me. That’s the kind of darkness that lurks in this world. At least the Gray Man appears to be on our side. But Great Nation America cannot be destroyed by one man.

We must work together.

One thing my time as a politician taught me is that consensus is never easy to find, but is the only way to move forward. Maybe all of this could’ve been avoided if we’d listened more closely to each other, worked harder to find a middle ground everyone could live with. Can hate be subdued by acceptance? By exposing ourselves?

“Excuse me.” The women turn to me. “I couldn’t help overhearing, what’s this about a Gray Man?”

The chatty woman, with short blonde hair and sparkling brown eyes answers. “I’ve heard he’s going all over the area. Clearing it out of the cultists. Feels safer, doesn’t it?”

“JT and the sheriff, all the deputies, they make me feel safe.” The pregnant woman chimes in and takes her friend’s hand. Their fingers lace together, and I see that they are wearing wedding rings.

They’re not friends, they’re wives.

My heart beats harder. Great Nation America would kill them in a second. They’d kill me, too. Shame rumbles through me. If I’d been real about who I was, joined the coming-out movement, would it have made a difference? Would some of the men in the Senate who respected me have changed their minds even a little bit about what it meant to be gay? Would any of the people who voted for me have seen homosexuality in a different light?

That’s the past. What we need now is a brighter, more honest, more accepting future.

Gummer stands up taller and moments later JT and Cash come into view. He salutes JT who nods gravely before opening the door.

Maybe JT is the answer. My son-in-law’s a strong, natural leader. But so serious. I don’t know that he can give a rousing speech and get men to take action, convince women to risk their lives for something bigger than themselves.

JT strolls through the door and walks toward me after a quick look around, but Cash is talking with Gummer. They’re shaking hands and Cash slaps Gummer on the back. I hear his voice through the window. “Great to see you, man. Keep up the good work.”

Cash enters, and Gummer turns to watch him, a grin on his face like a little boy acknowledged by a superhero.

Cash scans the room as he walks in, catching everybody’s eye and smiling at them, giving nods of greeting and acknowledgement. Energy seems to flow from him, lifting everyone’s spirits, and it’s as natural as breathing for Cash. Effortless. “Star power,” says Susanna’s voice in my head.

Cash stops to speak with the women I was talking with. He leans down towards them, his brows raised, clearly interested in what they have to say.

This is the guy. He’s a natural politician in the best sense of the word, exactly what we need to counteract the Great Nation America agenda.

JT stops in front of my desk, rapping his knuckles on the wood as he smiles at me. “How’s it going, John, enjoying your new job?”

I wrench my eyes away from Cash and look up at my son-in-law with a smile. “We’re all good here. Nani’s working steadily, but taking time to rest.”

“Luca asked us to come by and check on things,” Cash says, striding up to my desk. “Of course, he wouldn’t leave Jade or bring her out of the compound yet.”

“Well, as you can see there are a lot of people here in need.”

“Yeah, we’re lucky to have two doctors to serve the town, and it seems to be working out to have Avital and Nani taking turns while the guys care for the babies.”

Cash laughs. “Those guys are both pretty overwhelmed but Mama’s like a pig in mud. Happy as a clam.”

JT nods and smiles at his brother. “You’re mixing your metaphors, bro, but you’re right. I don’t know where we’d be without her.”

“We better get back at it,” Cash turns towards the door. “See you at dinner tonight.”

JT raps his knuckles on my desk again before leaving, his eyes growing serious. “Don’t let Nani work too hard, okay?”

“I’ll do my best,” I promise, but Nani’s will is mightier than mine and we both know it.

The two head out the door, continuing whatever mission they are on today: something to help rebuild the town, to help everyone around them, something to keep their family safe.

The fact is, that in this vacuum of power someone will rise up—and I believe it should be a Luciano.