Marigold by Heather Manheim (best books for 8th graders .TXT) 📕

and refusal of the vice presidency. The letter was on Brookshire’s letterhead and had his signature at the bottom. He was not sure how Ringo had created the forgery, but it looked perfect. While it might not be enough to put him in prison, it would be enough to ruin his immediate political aspirations and soil his name.

As the Security Patrols came in to arrest Brookshire, he realized sitting at the computer was the last thing he’d want to get caught doing right now. If he wanted to deny he sent the emails, sitting there would not assist his plea of innocence. But it was too late; he realized that. Then his face went as pale as the gauzy moonlight.

October 22, 2056 – Amelia

After her shower, Amelia put on clean clothing. It was still the jodhpurs and tunic, but she was okay with that. Mostly because afterward, she walked out of the Palace and felt the sun warm her face. Her mom was there, waiting to take her in a tight, long embrace. To her, the hug felt warmer than the sun that had just comforted her. Smiling, Amelia knew she now had time to get to know Ruby. Who knew what the future would bring? But the important thing was she would get to know her mother. She ached with a deep longing to love and protect her mom but also just to be Ruby’s daughter. Loved. Looked after. Adored. Mothered.

Epilogue

“What about you, Quinn?” asked Ana as they were cleaning out the bunker and getting ready to move back into the row of suburban houses that had already been cleaned and had power and water supplied. “You never really got a chance to meet anyone; Namaguchi took you when you were just fifteen. Have you ever thought of getting married and having children?”

Quinn reflected and paused a few moments before answering. She realized it was the first time anyone had ever asked her what she felt about that. “I don’t know if I want children, honestly.” Quinn paused a moment to catch Ana’s reaction to this. She noticed Ana silently rub her stomach, which was just starting to swell with her third child. “I mean, I like children, and I know it would be good to repopulate the world with honest and good people. But I just don’t know if I would make a good mother.”

Ana reached over and put her hand on top of Quinn’s. Quinn couldn’t help but feel the warmth that instantly comforted her and put butterflies in her stomach. Ana spoke slowly and with a determined look on her face. “You,” she said very sincerely, “would be a great mother. I can’t believe how different my life would be if you had not been here with me. You help me with my kids, plus your friendship is invaluable to me.” Ana stopped talking and looked down and over at their hands. There was an uncomfortable pause, and Quinn started to fidget. As she did, she pulled her hand away.

All Quinn managed to say was “Well…” before her mind ran out of things to say. Ana replaced her hand over Quinn’s more firmly so she couldn’t pull it away. Very quietly, almost in a whisper, Ana said, “Your love too. That has been more than invaluable to me.” Quinn felt her cheeks get red.

“I want you to know,” said Ana, “that I talked to Namaguchi. Between Ringo and his research, they found your family. The government relocated them to the east coast after Namaguchi took you.”

Ana paused for Quinn to process the information. “They’re on cross-country transport to come here, and they will be here in a few days. They have detoxed and know what happened to you and why. Your sister is married, and you have a nephew.” Ana paused again, not entirely sure how to proceed, but it was clear she was happy for Quinn. “I know this is a lot to process, but I am here for you, and I will be with you when they get here if you want.”

“I would like that,” Quinn barely mumbled out. She put her head down in the hopes that Ana couldn’t see she was blushing deeply. “I only know one other thing I want, but I don’t think I can have it,” Quinn said, thinking her heart was about to jump out of her chest as the pounding reached her ears.

Ana interjected, feeling protective of her dear Quinn. “That’s the other thing I wanted to talk to you about, something I also discussed with Namaguchi,” Ana said delicately. “He knows how close we are, and he also knows times are changing. Multiple wives may not be allowed anymore, and even if they keep it in place, he has other wives that he is fond of and loves. He did say I was his favorite, but because of that, he only wishes me—us—to be happy. He’ll, of course, always be a friend and part of our children’s lives, but he knows I don’t love him as I should. I’m fond of him; he’s been good to me, but it’s not right. I’m so much younger than him too. And I don’t know how else to tell you this, but I love you. I have loved you since I first met you. I think I know you love Cricket, but—”

“NO! I do not love Cricket. I mean, she’s nice, a friend and pretty, but you, well, you’re YOU. You’re beautiful and amazing, and…”—very softly, almost inaudibly—“I love you too.” Quinn then did the only thing she could think of, which was to pull Ana into an embrace and kiss her with warm love and tenderness. After the kiss, Quinn rested her head down on Ana’s shoulder and nuzzled into her soft hair. She inhaled the scent and let it out with a deep sigh. It could be magic or destiny, Quinn wasn’t sure why sometimes two people just click, but Ana and herself, she knew it was