Matronly Duties Read Online Free PDF

they’re calling it nowadays.”
    I shake my head. “But that’s illegal.”
    A gaggle of chuckles rings out from the adult family members. My cheeks heat in embarrassment and fury. I don’t understand what they find funny. Glaring at them, suddenly all the pieces click into place.
    “You’re Trads.”
    “No, not Trads, just traditionalists,” Rhonda clarifies.
    Anger rages inside me. Traditionalist is just the nice word for those among us who ignore our laws. The very laws put in place so we can survive.
    “Do you not care anything for the future of the human race?” I ask.
    “Excuse me?” Rhonda sounds offended at my accusation. Anthony puts his cutlery down and crosses his arms, a scowl on his face.
    “Do you have any idea how dangerous what you have done is? Diseases can be transferred through natural conception. Not to mention the extra drain on society to feed a family of eight.” My face feels like it is on fire. “There’s barely enough to go around without people like you disobeying our laws.”
    Howard stands, fists clenched. “You have no idea what you are talking about. If people like you would open your goddamned eyes, you’d see how much the rest of us are suffering.” He slams his fist against the table.
    I jerk away when the vibration jostles the plate in front of me. My heart hammers in my chest.
    “Sit down,” Rhonda tells Howard. He turns his glare from me to her. “Now,” she says in a tone of voice that brooks no argument.
    I remove my shaking hands from the table and hide them in my lap. This family may claim to be “just traditionalists,” but it’s clear from Howard’s violent reaction that they’re not as placid and carefree as they would have me think.
    All of a sudden, the lights go off and it’s pitch black. A squeal echoes from beside me and there are a couple of gasps from around the table, including my own.
    “Stay calm, everyone,” Howard’s father says, his voice deep and commanding. “Your mum and I will find the lamps. It shouldn’t be dark for too long.”
    Their feet sound against the cement floor, and a shiver runs down my spine. I’m terrified and angry, and suddenly even more aware of the fact that these people have no regard for the law. No wonder they don’t want me phoning for help.
    Wondering if this might be my only chance for escape, I turn quietly in my seat. It’s dark and I have no idea where else I can go, but staying here isn’t an option. Once I’m sure I’m facing the right way, I stand and make for the nearest exit, which from memory is in front of me and down a short hall. I saw it when I came to the kitchen. Holding my hands in front of me, I collide briefly with a wall before feeling my way around the edge of it. A small sliver of light appears behind me then, making it easier to see my destination.
    “Hey, where are you going?” Howard calls out.
    I ignore him and fling the door open, running outside. In a stroke of luck, the power kicks back on the moment I reach the road. I take a quick look to the right, then to the left. When neither way looks familiar, I do a quick mental coin toss and choose left.
    Thankful I have my running shoes on, I search for anywhere I might be able to contact MITI. Running seems to help get my emotions under control and calms me. At least until I make it to the end of the block and glance over my shoulder to see Howard following.
    Picking up my pace, my heart beats wildly in my chest. I check every door or alcove I pass for somewhere to hide.
    I turn left at the next side street but immediately regret my decision. A few houses up are two men who look similar to the ones who abducted me.
    “Hey!” the bigger of the two shouts. “What are you doing out?”
    With Howard not far behind me, I can’t go back the way I came. I take a quick survey of my surroundings and spot a single chance for escape. Halfway between the men and me, on the other side of the road, is an alley.
    Confident I can outrun