Chapter 48: King

"This is your real home?" Marinah asks.

"Yes."

We walk up the path to the steel front door. I reach around her and open it.

"Unlocked?" she questions.

"Unlocked."

The entry is large, tiled, and cool compared to the temperature outside. I hit a switch by the door and turn on the generator. We use wind and solar power on the island. When I'm away for a long time, I disconnect the batteries to allow them to totally drain so they last longer. I walk over and open the large bay window that leads to a balcony overlooking the water.

"You live here?" Her eyes are huge as she takes in the view. She then stares at me perplexed. "It's like... normal."

I smile. "As normal as things can be right now."

"Then what is the Federation doing to take the U.S. back to 'normal'," she says with air quotes, her sudden anger prevalent.