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American Atheist:#3
American Atheist contains scenes that may be offensive to certain religious groups.
The story so far: America has embraced Atheism as a powerful philosophy to replace the God of Catholicism. The Vatican's Nightime Flyers have bombed the city of New York and now Nonfather Fletcher and his son Bobby have arrived at the farm.
Nonfather Fletcher stood at a little over six feet tall, a thin gaunt man with masses of wild red hair. He ushered in before him his only son Bobby.
Bobby took after his father but had the good sense to keep his hair cut short and neatly combed. Both were dressed in the black Macs of the Non church and sported their Atheist bands clearly on their right arms.
“I thought you were never going to answer and then I noticed the open window.” Nonfather Fletcher said. “Whatever were the pair of you thinking?”
He crossed over to the open window and without asking shut it tight.
“I don’t mean to be rude. But you never know, a Night Time flyer might have one bomb left to give and your light might just be the beacon that he’s looking for.”
“Of course Nonfather I don’t know what came over me.” Her mother looked embarrassed, “This is the first time I’ve opened it in months.”
“Well its okay now just a good thing I was coming to see you.” Nonfather Fletcher’s eyes roamed the room constantly as he talked. “I’m wondering if yourself and little Unita here would do myself and the boy a big favour.”
Her mother nodded. “Anything for the Non church.”
“Could you look after Bobby for a couple of hours.” He held up his hands in a pleading manner and before her mother could respond said. “If you do I’ll give you a special mention at the gathering on Sunday.”
Her mother laughed and put her hands on her hips. “Of course I will, I don’t need no special mention I would love to look after Bobby here, wouldn’t we Unita.”
Unita wasn’t too sure. She turned to look at Bobby who licked the top of his lip and winked at her.
Unita cringed.
“I wouldn’t normally have asked but I’ve just got a report that there’s been some damage the next village down.” Nonfather Fletcher continued.
“Nothing serious I hope?” Unita’s mother asked concerned.
“I’m not sure, some kind of disturbance, but it’s probably the patrons of Jack’s bar kicking out again.” He turned to Unita and smiled sweetly. “Nothing for you to worry about anyway.” He paused and looked at her mother. “As I’m here I might as well say the Speeches with you.”
“We would be honoured.” Her Mother said. “Wouldn’t we Unita?”
Unita nodded eagerly, she took the Speeches very seriously and it gave her chance to look at something other than Bobby’s leering face.
Nonfather Fletcher stood in the middle of the room with an expectant look. Unita and her mother dutifully lowered their heads.
“We are free.” Nonfather Fletcher began. “We have broken the oppressive chains of religion. No longer will we be slaves to a false god.”
The others repeated the last line, although Unita noticed that Bobby barely uttered the words, his hands were dug deep into his black Mac and he looked bored.
Nonfather Fletcher noticed as well.
“There is no supernatural.” Nonfather Fletcher’s voice rose suddenly, not quite a shout but loud enough to cause Bobby to look up sharply.
“There is only the natural.”
They repeated the words, as did Bobby who had fallen under the watchful eye of the Nonfather.
“No more lies, no more deceptions. Choose our own destiny.” He rose his arms up into the air as he spoke and a rapturous smile spread across his features. His eyes found each of them in turn but lingered on Bobby. “We are each responsible for our own actions and we will concern ourselves with living life rather than lamenting death.”
Bobby looked away.
After a respectful silence, Nonfather Fletcher dusted his hands together and said. “Well that ought to do it.”
“Thank you.” Unita’s mother said with a broad smile. “It’s not often we have a Nonfather here in the house.”
Nonfather Fletcher returned the smile. “Perhaps we should see about changing that then Ashanti.”
Unita’s mother giggled and absently touched the side of her face.
“Anyway I shan’t be long I expect.” He walked back over to the door but stopped when he got to Bobby. “You behave yourself now boy.” He smiled when he talked but Unita noticed a hardness of the eyes. “I don’t want to be hearing about any trouble when I get back.” He patted Bobby upon the shoulder and then left.
An awkward silence ensured.
***
Her mother left to make Bobby a drink. Seizing the opportunity he said. “I’ve been thinking about you.”
“Shh, Mamma will hear you.” Unita refused to make eye contact.
Couldn’t he just go away?
“I’ve been thinking about what happened, what you did.” Bobby continued.
“You did as well Bobby.” She struggled to keep her voice level.
“I want to try again.” He cooed.
“I don’t. It repulsed me. You repulse me.”
“Ah Unita don’t be like that, it doesn’t have to be this way.”
“It’s not going to be any way, it was a mistake nothing more.”
“I’ll tell your Mamma.” Bobby said his voice rising.
Unita’s eyes widened and her lip trembled. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Bobby smiled upon seeing her reaction and leant back in his chair, “Wouldn’t I?” He enquired.
“Wouldn’t what?” Her mother said coming back into the room.
Before Bobby could open his mouth to speak Unita jumped in. “Nothing Mamma, Bobby is just teasing me that’s all.”
“Well enough of that young man, save it for your male friends.” She handed Bobby his coffee.
“Thank you. “ He said with a smirk.
***
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I had proof but I lost it.
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