The White House: 02

Blank, my brain kept fighting the vast lake of nothing that stopped me from saying anything. All I did was look at the woman, thinking about how in a short period of time I had become so fond of her. Something about how Louise was so secure of herself, certain of who she was and what she wanted. She didn't talk much, not unnecessarily, everything that came out of her mouth I heard with the biggest respect. I was so glad we had become friends.

- I understand if you don't want to do it. - she broke the silence. Her tone was kind to try and take off any pressure that I might have felt. I was aware of my quietness, I wanted to save that moment, not rush my judgment like I did with officer Sun. This time I wanted to fully understand my motivations to accept her request. Before saying anything, I glared at the brown sweet on the end of my stick.

- Don't worry, I'll find them. 

-You're sure? 

-Yes. Do you have the contract they gave you? - with one bite I pulled out the whole marshmallow. It was cold by that time but still good. Louise watched me for a little while before getting up, I could tell she was checking if I was ok and I didn't move. I was certain of what I had to do, nothing would change that.

First was to find out what was the company responsible for the renting and what were they exploiting. That wouldn't prove much but would give me a starting point, somewhere to dig in for the true suspects. 

Since the global unrestrained expansion of cities, people and companies needed more  space, turning every square meter into a highly priced property. Plantation and natural feedstock were controlled by major companies making whoever headed them the most powerful people in the world. Land meant food and production, both essential things to the survival of the human race, therefore, the city's existence depended on the countryside.

Population growth in urban areas went over the roof after the cities decided to separate from their home countries. Entire governments were dismantled, nations bankrupted, millions of people migrated, some to the big cities inside their countries, others went to the opposite side of the globe to live in the new capitals. Tier-1 was born great, already an economic center of the eastern hemisphere years before the separation, the city was one of the firsts to support the "neo-independence movement", as it was baptized.

Its physical location was in a group of three major islands l connected to the continent through the biggest of them. Tier-1's urban center spread from the smallest piece of land to the other two until the tip of the mainland. A countless number of enterprises were based on our island, some of them also had business on other parts of the planet. At the top of those operations were the new rulers of our civilization. The people Louise was talking about certainly worked for them, that much I knew. 

Back from upstairs with a black folder in hands, the woman pulled a chair close to the fire, after turning on the lights from the living room. Outside had gone dark ever since we sat down to eat marshmallows, I haven't even noticed it was so late. 

- I think it's best foryou stay the night, if you don't have anything urgent to do in the city. - over the fire I had a new white cube roasting when she accommodated herself by my side. 

- Am I being invited to a sleepover? 

- Don't make a fuzz or I'll put you sleep with the horses.

- I thought that was the plan from the beginning? The full farm experience! - the mood had been so heavy for the past hours, that some jokes were necessary to clear the air. Making my way out of serious conversations using sarcasm was my specialty. 

- Shut up. I have bedrooms upstairs, I'll lock you inside one until sunrise. - for my comfort Louise also was an adept of the same lifestyle. Talking to her, even with the major age difference, was as easy, if not easier than talking to Jk. 

- What is that? - I pointed at the black thing she was holding. From up close it looked too big to be just a folder. 

- A laptop. - carefully she opened it. It was very thin and didn't seem heavy at all, just like a folder. 

- Are you joking me? Where do you get these things, man? Does it even work? 

- Of course it does. How do you think I email you? 

- Woman, laptops died a hundred years ago. I'm amazed you can still use it for anything. 

As a fan of ancient items, I enjoyed scavenging for obsolete technology just for the sake of aesthetics. Like my camera, some of them still worked perfectly, they were just outdated and there was no more media support available. If they broke down there was no recovering it, since the pieces no longer existed. In the case of Louise's laptop it would connect to the internet normally, the only difference from the current screen technology was, obviously the physical design - that no longer was necessary-, and the limited access to the new parts of the web along with most softwares and applications. 

- I'm old school. Will you read the damn thing or not? - her tone was so intimidating at times, I genuinely believed she would slap me if I kept teasing her. 

- Gimme that. - without a warning I pulled the black skinny object out of her hands, making her jump in protest. When I turned my eyes to the screen after smirking at her surprised face, a picture on display caught my attention. I recognized a younger Louise in a flannel shirt posing in front of her house holding hands with a woman as young as her. They were both smiling happily, while the woman held with her free hand her hat that was being blown by the wind. 

- Who is this? 

From the look Louise had, I wasn't supposed to have seen anything. She wasn't embarrassed, just a bit off guard. That was obviously new information for me and I guessed she had no plans on sharing it just then. 

- I'm sorry, I overstepped. You don-. - before I could finish closing the laptop, I was detained by a touch on my shoulder. 

- It's ok. That, - she pointed at the half closed screen and waited for me to open it. As I did, it lit up, making the photo visible once again. - is my wife, Yumi. 

Taking my eyes off Louise, I began to scan the new character. In opposition to the clear colored hat and her skin, the woman had dark flowing hair covering part of her face. On her lips, a big wide smile pushed her eyes into a thin line hidden behind her cheeks. They both looked so happy side by side, with only a tiny height difference for more from Louise to Yumi. My first reaction was to smile back at that pretty and probably very important memory. 

- You never said you were married! - I looked up at the woman sitting on the chair above me. Her eyes were stuck on the screen accompanied by a soft expression of someone who's reliving a dear moment. Just like I watched that joyful expression come to life, I saw it go away, as the tough farm owner lost her inner light within seconds, catching me by surprise. - What is it? - I asked, already regretting having said anything without thinking first.

- Nothing. It's just that… - she paused, looking extendedly at the picture, moments before turning her sad gaze at me - She passed a couple of years ago.