Bad Day in Utopia

page 5

Bogan tore open his envelope, pulled out the paper inside, and tossed the envelope on the ground. As he read his face flushed red with anger, "What in the hell! You sons of bitches rigged this! Screw you then. I'll walk out of the God forsaken state on my own!"
The Captain, still on his mount, was talking to the newly arrived at the back of the line when he heard the commotion from Bogan. He moved his horse quickly to the front where a fuming Bogan was standing and cursing to the police and guardsmen. Avy backed away sensing that this event might be similar to last weeks when the police killed the women that had accosted the old woman. Bogan heard the trot of the horse and turned quickly just as the Captain removed his left foot from the stirrup and raised his boot sharply into the underside of Bogan's chin. Thump - Crack! Avy watched as her obnoxious neighbor's head whipped back and then forward again. Bogan stood for a few seconds looking at the soldier and then he fell to his knees, his body went limp, and then slumped over on the ground. Everyone stood still and stopped talking.

"Listen to me" Shouted Captain Letum. "We are going to get everyone out of here. But you must be patient. Everyone will get their turn." His voice lowered and returned to its calm tone, "Please, work with us. We are here to help." The Captain's eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened as he fought to regain composure.

Avy walked home alone and thought of Bogan. She never liked him. He was rude and inconsiderate to everyone around him, but she still didn't feel he deserved the brutal punishment from the Captain. She left without knowing if Mr. Bogan was dead or alive. After he went to the ground two soldiers on foot came out of the old grocery store and dragged his limp body inside. She tried not to think of it. She tried not to think of the previous two months of fear and anxiety and loneliness. She tried not to think of the present. She only wanted to think about getting out of the wretched place; the place that she ran to trying to escape a miserable environment that she seemed to have only brought with her.


On Friday, Avy packed in preparation for her departure. She stuffed a few of her favorite clothes and a few personal items into a bright red bag. She left her sun dresses and her fancy shoes and bikinis. She left all of the things that she had bought when she first arrived in Florida. She wouldn't need them anymore. The instructions in the black envelope only allowed for what would fit into an average suitcase or bag, and the frivolous items that represented her new life on the peninsula were useless now. As she went through the things in her home, she thought about the good times she had had in Florida. It was so wonderful go to the beach in January, to eat at the outdoor restaurants all year round, to dance in the clubs and drink fruity drinks and to flirt with desperate men. Avy remembered how much fun it was to do all of the things that most only did on their once a year vacations. Avy loved that flowers of one type or another bloomed almost every day in this tropical world. The beach outings, the flowers, and the constant fun - it was everything she had hoped for. Her dream of a better life had come true; at least for a while. But now it had vanished and she was left with nothing but memories and what she could fit into one average suitcase.

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