A Better Place

By Kate Raffordy

A deadly disease has all but eliminated the world's male population and boys are taken from their homes at the age of twelve to be tested for the disease; never to return to their families. One woman conspires to oppose the system by agreeing to her sister's plan of falsifying her son's birth certificate and masquerading her son as a girl.
In a world that is now run solely by women, all women are able to pursue avenues that heretofore were not always open to them. There is no glass ceiling, no barriers due to gender. No rape. No threats of war. The world is truly a safer and better place. And although she perseveres in her plan of hiding her son's true identity, she is in constant fear of his being discovered. She struggles with his need to be himself, a boy, and with the reality of the consequences of his actions. Before his twelfth birthday they flee to the commune her sister has established for other boys who have escaped the deadly grip of the disease and the government's mandatory quarantine. But their new circumstance leads her to wonder if man's demise is solely the consequence of this virulent disease or is it being aided by the system; a system conceived and run by women.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate Raffordy
• Release date: Jan 16, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458178701

Kate Raffordy

Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, Kate has lived in 5 states and Japan. She has been writing practically since she was able to pick up a pencil and string a few words together. English was always her favorite subject in school. She graduated from Wolfson Senior High School in Jacksonville, Florida in 1967. About a year later she joined the Air Force where while in tech school for Air Traffic Control, she met her first husband and the father of her two children. She attended The University of Maryland, Far East Division, while stationed with her husband in Japan and she has also attended Wright Junior College and Lake County Junior College, both located in Illinois. A Better Place, was started and completed in 1992. The cover for this book, is her first painting done when she was 15 and at that time was signing her work as Rane'. She lives about 40 miles north of Chicago and has lived in Illinois since 1983. The cover for the sequel, The Search for Robert, is a charcoal sketch she did of the Evanston Lighthouse. She enjoys gardening and spoiling her granddaughter Katie. Paperback versions located at: https://www.createspace.com/3555275 https://www.createspace.com/3597841

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A Better Place

by Kate Raffordy

Copyright 2008 Kate Raffordy

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CHAPTER 1

The apartment was still and quiet as Cora Cain waited anxiously for her friend Ruth to arrive. She turned off the television and leaned her head back against the worn sofa. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, allowing a long, slow sigh to escape her lips. She was tired. Not physically tired, but an exhaustion caused by loneliness.

Three years ago, her sister Beth had moved to Pennsylvania, leaving her alone for the first time in her life. For a while the solitude had been great. She came and went as she pleased and she answered to no one. She had plenty of friends and spent many evenings with them away from her lonely apartment.

For eighteen years an incurable disease, known as All Male Extinction Syndrome or AMES disease, had robbed the world of its men. With their prolonged absence, some women—including most of Cora's friends—turned to each other for intimacy. Cora felt no interest in or desire for a relationship with another woman. She had had that chance and turned it down long ago, when Ruth confessed her love for Cora. And though she often accompanied her friends for dinner or a night on the town, friendships and busy schedules were not enough.

Her desire was not sexual, although admittedly that was often another concern. Self stimulation was an acceptable alternative to total abstinence. She thought up ways to amuse herself, borrowing romance novels from the library to expand her imagination. And there was always the service of Sexual Reality, which she learned about in an article from the magazine section of the Sunday Sun Times. The article claimed it to be the latest trend in artificial sexual stimulation. It was as close as she was probably ever going to get to an intimate relationship.

The concept of video reality had been around since before her father died, but it had advanced to where not only was a person surrounded by three-dimensional images but the characteristics of sound and touch were also simulated. She had of course never been with a real man—there were none—but the exposure to the simulated act was enough to satisfy her sexual desire. Sexual Reality was big business and Cora found it most gratifying.

But something was missing and only recently did she feel she knew what it was. It wasn't just that she was tired of being alone, tired of longing for something tangible, someone real to share her life. She wanted something more than physical love. It was her need for emotional intimacy that left her feeling empty inside.

What she wanted, what she needed was a baby. And today was the day she was finally going to do the one thing that would satisfy her need.

With her head still reclined against the back of the sofa, Cora brought her arm up to eye level and checked her watch. She let her arm fall back heavily to the sofa and once more closed her eyes and tried to relax. Ruth was not due to arrive for another thirty minutes.

Cora had known Ruth since the eighth grade and had been her partner cleaning windows ever since Ruth suggested she apply for the job. They didn't spend as much time together as they used to, not since high school when Ruth quit school in the middle of her junior year and moved in with Melanie Parker. Getting Cora the job was one way to see each other without sending Melanie into a jealous rage.

It was only a little more than a year ago that Melanie, hoping to seal her rocky relationship with Ruth, had decided to visit the fertility clinic and had since given birth to a girl. Cora knew that her friend still harbored strong feelings for her but was none the less surprised when Ruth offered to accompany her. She didn't ask if Melanie was aware of Ruth's offer. That was really none of her business. She was nervous about visiting the fertility center and was just relieved to have someone she trusted go with her on this momentous occasion.

She looked again at her watch. Normally Cora was a patient person, but she was anxious about her decision and wished she could shut out the nagging doubts that plagued her while she waited for Ruth's arrival.

She wondered if she would make a good mother. She had never been very domestic. She had always been somewhat of a tomboy. Her favorite person in the whole world had been her brother Robert. She even chose the job of window cleaner because it allowed her to be out of doors most of the time. She never even played with dolls as a child. As much as she wanted a child, she couldn't help but wonder what kind of mother would she be?

She was startled out of her reverie by the sound of the doorbell. She looked at her watched again. Her mouth went dry and her heart beat rapidly inside her chest. It was time to go.

Suddenly, she wasn't entirely sure she had made the right decision. She wasn't sure she was ready to become a mother.

As they stood outside the building, Cora stopped short of the single step that lead to its entrance. Ruth stood beside her. Together they blocked a major portion of the sidewalk, making a human barricade. Other women glared at them contemptuously as they passed. The building was not far from the Belmont El station and evidently a very busy thoroughfare.

Are you sure this is the place? Cora asked. It looks more like a morgue than a fertility clinic.

Yeah, it is kinda scary looking, isn't it? But trust me, this is it. Ruth had paid no attention to the building when she had come here with Melanie. Then it had only been a means to an end. Now it was different. She was here to lend support to a friend and she agreed with Cora—this did not look like a place that insured the future of the world. As she too stared at the building before them, she reached out and gave Cora's hand a reassuring squeeze.

Cora let her eyes drift slowly upward. The six story building towered over her like a craggy gray giant. It was a staggeringly oppressive structure that made its neighboring buildings seem small and insignificant despite their more welcoming appearance. Cora felt overwhelmed by its presence.

I don't know, Ruth. Do you think I'm doing the right thing?

What do you mean the right thing? What's wrong with having a baby? The world would end if someone didn't have the babies.

No, that's not what I mean. I mean am I doing it for the right reasons?

You want someone to love. What's wrong about that?

But what if I have a boy? What will I do then?

Come on, Cora. You can't worry about that. We all take that chance.

Yeah, but …

But nothing. If you have a boy, you'll love him for as long as you can. That's all you can do. Ruth's impatience was beginning to show. A part of her wanted to believe that this would have been her and Cora's baby. If Cora backed out, her fantasy of sharing this moment with the woman she loved would end. Now let's go.

Cora looked again at the large, gray building. The rough texture of its ashen slabs of stone appeared cold and solemn. It had no color, no welcoming exterior that invited one in to participate in the ritual of creating life.

Are we going to stand out here all day, or are we going in?

Cora took a tentative step forward. I guess we're going in. As she pushed open one of the two glass doors, she felt wobbly, like her legs had suddenly turned to jelly. Her heart beat rapidly, and she could feel her pulse throbbing inside her neck. She tried but was unable to take a deep breath. She was not sure which frightened her more: the responsibility of becoming a mother or the possibility of having a boy or the dreadful building itself.

She chuckled softly at the unreasonableness of her fear. Here she was, someone who hung off the side of a building for a living, freaking out on the ground floor. Still … hanging off the side of a building seemed a piece of cake compared to this.

What's so funny? Ruth asked.

Nothing really. Cora listened to the clop, clop, clop of the heels of her flats as she crossed the black tiled floor to the wall of elevators at the end of the empty, gray foyer. I was just thinking how this scares me more than dangling twenty stories above the ground. She let her eyes wander as she and Ruth closed the gap between the entrance and the elevators. God, can't they afford to put some plants or something in here? Maybe a picture on the wall. Better yet, paint the wall.

Cora felt herself growing silly with nervousness. The place looked like some medieval dungeon and she felt like she was taking the long walk to the gallows. Maybe the elevators were rigged and would rise briefly, only to send them plummeting to their deaths.

Are you sure this isn't the morgue?

Yeah, I'm sure, Ruth said as she pushed the up button. You're right, though. This place could certainly use a decorator. Funny, when Melanie and I came here I never noticed how dismal it was. Must have been because I was too nervous about becoming a parent. Trust me though. The floor the clinic is on is much more cheery.

The gentle hum of the elevator as it slowly descended from the upper floors sounded like moans from a tortured soul. Cora imagined the gnashing teeth of some primitive apparatus as its gears turned and meshed, tightening the cable that stretched and crippled its unseen victim. The elevator stopped with a muted thud and its doors drew open noiselessly. Cora shook off the cold chill that rushed down her spine and following Ruth, stepped tentatively into the empty elevator.

When the elevator doors opened again, Cora was surprised and thankful to see a decor quite different from the one she had just left. Plush gray carpeting extended from pale mauve wall to pale mauve wall. Oriental urns, brightly painted and housing deep green foliage, lined the walls at random intervals. Abstract paintings in pastel shades hung in pairs between each urn.

Cora felt herself relax as Ruth led the way to an unmarked door at the end of the hall.

The first visit was restricted to filling out forms, answering a lot of personal questions, a gynecological exam and giving blood. After filling out the forms, Cora was escorted to a small white room in the rear of the office. Ruth remained in the waiting room for the better part of an hour until Cora returned.

Well, how did it go? Ruth asked, handing Cora her purse and rising to leave.

They certainly are a nosey bunch, aren't they? They asked me some of the most embarrassing questions I've ever heard. They didn't believe me when I told them that I've never slept with a woman before. Cora didn't notice Ruth's satisfied smile. Made me feel like a freak or something.

Don't worry about it. It's over. Now all you have to do is wait.

They told me to come back in a week for the results. Cora touched Ruth's arm to gain her direct attention. What kind of results are they looking for anyway?

Well, for one thing AIDS. Other than that, I guess they're looking to see if you are even able to conceive. Some women aren't, you know.

Oh. Cora pushed the button for the elevator. Well, let's get out of here. This time Cora never noticed the creaking sound of the rising elevator. I'm starved. Want to get some lunch?

Let's do it.

Two months later Cora was pregnant and with her feelings of dread tucked away in her subconscious, as happy as any expectant mother.

As soon as she found out, she wrote to her sister Beth and asked if she would be her midwife when the time came. Beth was shocked to hear that Cora would do something so domestic but quickly agreed to help. She gave Cora the name of a friend who would see to her prenatal needs and told Cora that she would arrive at the end of her eight month.

Cora continued to do high-rise until the end of her forth month, which was anything from scaffolding work to hanging off the side of a building on a wooden swing they called a genie. She did ground and pole work for another two, then after that she was restricted to only the easiest ground jobs until she started her eighth month, at which time she went on leave. Beth arrived as planned.

The nine months went by so quickly that it was difficult for her to believe that soon the waiting would be over. She hoped desperately for a girl. Having a boy meant she would have to face the possibility, no, the probability of one day losing him to the disease that continued to claim all boys. The thought of loving a child for twelve years and then having to give him up was something she was sure she couldn't do.

While pregnant she had often visited the library to read about what was happening inside her body. Once, she read about some tests that used to be performed to determine the sex of a child before it was born. When she asked her doctor about it, she was told that the tests had been forbidden for some years because the government feared that women who knew that they were having a boy would choose to abort rather than go full term.

She explained to Cora that eliminating the birth of boys would jeopardize the continued growth of the world's population, that future births were dependent on an on going supply of spermatozoa. Cora continued with her prayers.

It was a relief for Cora to have her sister with her. She felt huge and awkward but Beth treated her like she was a fragile piece of porcelain, making the last month of her pregnancy a time of bonding that she had only experienced before with her brother Robert.

CHAPTER 2

The first signs of labor began in the early morning hours, when the sky was still dark and most everyone was still asleep. Cora relaxed her hold on her abdomen as the pain from another contraction slowly subsided. She turned her head toward the window where her sister Beth slept in an over-stuffed chair, a paperback book still clutched in her hand, supposedly keeping a watchful eye from across the room.

She watched the curtains stir softly by the opened window and saw drops of moisture as they dripped repeatedly from the window's frame.

Beth, Beth. Wake up.

Beth quickly opened her eyes and looked at Cora. What is it? How far apart are they?

No, no. I'm fine. She pointed her finger toward the window. It's raining.

Beth turned to the window and seeing that Cora was indeed correct, she got up and pulled the window closed, except for a small crack for ventilation. She turned back to Cora who appeared both dreamy and sad.

Do you remember the day we buried Mother? Cora waited until Beth acknowledged, then continued. It rained that day, too. I always feel closest to her when it rains. Cora looked past Beth at the darkened window where tiny drops of rain clung to its surface like fragile jewels. Do you think she can see us?

Beth did not answer, but instead started to tuck in the sides of Cora's sheet. Cora stopped her with a wave of her hand.

It's too hot, she grumbled, pulling the sheet loose around her.

Okay, but I want you to try and get some rest. When your contractions get stronger, you're going to need your strength.

You never answered my question.

What question was that?

Do you think Mother can see us?

Beth settled back into the chair and opened her book. I'm sure I don't know, Cora. I suppose it's possible.

I hope so. Cora pulled the sheet back and let what little breeze there was cool the perspiration on her skin. She rolled on her side and closed her eyes, but she was still awake when the next contraction sent its tight, sharp pain ripping though her abdomen. She opened her eyes only long enough to see the time, then closed them again and waited for the discomfort to pass.

She was twenty-three and pregnant with a child that would never know its father. Cora had been only two when her own father died from the AMES disease that had infected the world's male population. Her mother had been left alone to raise three children. Cora was the youngest. She had no anxieties about raising a child alone. She didn't remember what it was like to share the world with men. There was a good chance she would never know. She was more concerned with the sex of the child she was about to bare.

Feeling rested from her little nap, Beth picked up her book and continued reading, periodically raising her eyes above the pages to check on Cora. She was in awe of her sister's courage to have a child, knowing that that child might be a boy. She had seen first hand the emotional pain and fear on faces of those who gave birth to a boy.

Beth was six years older than Cora. She vaguely remembered her father but her memories were clouded by the faint recollection of his violent temper combined with a child's feelings of guilt. She remembered the stories her mother had told her of what the world was like when men were alive and in power. Between her reproachful feelings for her father and her mother's irreverence for men in general, Beth felt an ambiguity that she could not confide to Cora. She wondered now herself if their mother could see them and if she would reprimand or praise Beth for the part she played in the destiny of men.

Beth had been twenty-three and away at school, studying to become a doctor when their mother died. Cora at seventeen had just finished high school. It was Cora who called the school to notify Beth of their mother's death. As painful as Eve's death had been for her, it was made even more painful because she had to abandon her plan to become a doctor and move back with Cora in the apartment where they had grown up.

After their mother's funeral, Beth had to face the fact that she would never be able to fulfill her dream. But she was unwilling to abandon the profession entirely, and enrolled in a course offered at Grant Hospital. Eighteen months later she received her certificate as a midwife.

She did not expect this to be a lucrative field. The birth rate had dropped dramatically since the disease, but even without men, there were still some women who continued to fulfill their desire to become mothers. Hiring a midwife became a universal practice.

Cora stirred in her sleep and Beth saw her wince before tightening her hold on her enlarged abdomen, never breaking her slumber. Beth tilted her wrist to check her watch. The time between contractions was narrowing.

She laid her book on the floor and resumed her watch on her sleeping sister, again marveling at her courage to have a child. But Cora had always been the one to take chances. Beth only took those that were well calculated and had a good measure of probability. Beth thought it ironic how risky her new career choice had unwittingly become and wondered if things would have turned out differently if Cora had stayed in school.

After their mother died, Beth had wanted Cora to continue her education, but Cora hated school and wanted just to get on with life. A friend of Cora's, who had quit school after her junior year, told her of a job she could get that paid really good money, had great hours, and offered a little danger for added spice. Beth was dubious, but there was little she could do to stop her. Soon after, Cora began working as a window cleaner.

Beth only allowed Cora to help out with the finances by buying the groceries, even though as an apprentice doing ground work, Cora made good money and nearly doubled her pay once she advanced to high-rise. She wanted Cora to become self-sufficient enough to find a place of her own. The sooner Cora could take care of herself, the sooner Beth could take advantage of an offer that had been given her: an offer that she was unable to discuss with anyone, not even her sister.

By the end of the year, Beth moved to Pennsylvania, knowing that Cora felt secure enough to remain in the apartment she had lived in all her life and had shared with Beth since their mother's death. She told Cora only that she had a better job waiting for her.

Now she was back to help deliver her sister's child. She thought it funny how she saw her sister as the courageous one and yet felt the need to protect her. But her feelings often confused her. She was always seeing both sides to every question; as well as, both sides to every answer.

Beth, Cora