Make No Mistake - Chapter 25
Questions and Answers
Make No Mistake is a novel about a women’s rights activist, a life-changing event she cannot remember, and an underground book club poised to take down the patriarchy. If you’re new to the story, you can find all the previously released chapters on the Home page: juliewise.substack.com
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Chapter 25 - Questions and Answers
A week later, a media release from an anonymous source announced that Magdalen would appear at a press conference in Lafayette Square.
Media around the world collaborated to broadcast the event. Screens appeared in parks, stadiums, and concert halls. Crowds flooded into venues, singing songs, and wearing Magdalen t-shirts. As the designated time approached, people began to chant, “Magdalen, Magdalen, Magdalen.” Families gathered in Lafayette Square called out, “Magdalen for President!”
At exactly 3 p.m., the crowds grew quiet. All eyes focused on the stage in the center of the park. Jack leaned against the back of the camera truck, watching and waiting.
A short woman with gray curly hair bounced up the steps to the stage. She was wearing jeans and a blue denim jacket over a white t-shirt emblazoned with a butterfly.
The crowd roared and applauded.
The woman raised her hands and signaled for people to be quiet.
She stepped up to the microphone and adjusted it to her height.
“I am…not Magdalen.”
Confused muttering tumbled through the audience. She raised her voice, commanding attention.
“I have been asked to introduce Magdalen.”
A group of women, men and children began to climb the stairs, gradually filling the stage. Maggie, Alicia, Joanna and five other women stood in the front row.
Maggie stepped up to the microphone again.
“As I said earlier, I am not Magdalen.”
She paused as frustration swept across the faces in the square. She spread her arms wide and indicated the people behind her on the stage.
“We are Magdalen.”
She turned her hands palms up and gestured at the cameras and the throng of people in front of the stage.
“And so are you,” she added.
People turned and looked at each other.
“Yes, take a good look at the person standing next to you. Who do you see? Do you notice what’s different or what’s the same?”
Her deep chuckle danced through the air.
“You see, we’re the same in so many ways. We all have stories; we know what it is to be hurt, and to be held; to be loved and to be hated; to be believed and to be ignored. We have fears and dreams, secrets and challenges. We want to be respected and appreciated, but sometimes we forget how to respect and appreciate each other.”
Jack was struck by the silence – thousands of people looking at each other with curiosity. The wind was cool, but the air felt warm. He couldn’t find the right word, but he knew when he had felt like this before. In the delivery room right after Evy was born. As if time had stopped.
Alicia stepped up to the mike, her voice strong and compelling.
“The events of the last six months are the result of years, generations, centuries of struggle and hard work by those who came before us. Each time people pushed back against injustice, ground was gained. This time was different though, wasn’t it? We learned to set aside differences and work together. The message is simple: together, we are strong. Using our combined talents and abilities, we can right any wrong and fix any problem. Divided - by gender, race, economics, education, religion, sexual orientation – we will fail.”
Joanna spoke up.
“Who is Magdalen? Each one of us. People of all ages, genders and backgrounds. And it is our responsibility to work together to make our world a safe, welcoming, healthy, and sustainable home for all. Not just for you and your family. For the greater human family.”
Maggie stepped forward again.
“This is just the beginning. There is much work ahead. Whenever you feel afraid, lost, or confused, remember today, and ask yourself one question: What would Magdalen do?”
Maggie straightened the tablecloth for the tenth time. The coffee was ready, and the muffins were cooling on the stove. She paced between the kitchen and the living room, peering out the bay window, looking for the car.
She glanced at the clock on the mantel. As she put the muffins on a plate, she heard car doors slam followed by the low tone of voices. She took off her apron and walked slowly to the front door, arriving just as her guests knocked.
She counted to five and opened the door.
Jack stood on the step with his mother. My daughter, Maggie thought. The two women stared at each other, neither one moving.
“Is this as s-s-strange for you as it is for me?” Maggie stammered.
Mary nodded.
Maggie swallowed hard and stepped back.
“Please come in,” she said. “Make yourselves at home.”
As Jack passed, he gave her a wink. Hannah gave her a big hug.
“I knew there was something special about you,” she whispered.
I will not cry, I will not cry, Maggie told herself, as tears filled her eyes. She followed the others into the living room. Once they were all seated, she passed the muffins and poured coffee. No one spoke.
Maggie closed her eyes briefly and stepped into the silence.
“Thank you for coming,” she said. “It feels unreal and awkward, but I want you to know how much I appreciate this moment.”
Tears began to escape. She shook her head and sniffed.
“I promised myself this wouldn’t happen. So much for willpower.”
She noticed her daughter was smiling.
“You have a strong will, I take it,” she said to Maggie.
“You betcha,” Maggie said. “My claim to fame.”
Her daughter reached out her hand.
“I’m Mary,” she said, “and it’s good to meet you.”
Maggie took the outstretched hand in hers and cleared her throat.
“I’m Maggie, and I never thought I’d meet you.”
Jack watched the two women closely. He glanced at Evelyn and back at his mother and grandmother.
“You know,” he said, “I can see a resemblance. It’s in the eyes, and the way you tip your head when you’re talking.”
“I do not,” exclaimed Maggie, exaggerating the tilt of her head. Everyone laughed.
“Do you talk with your hands?” she asked Mary.
“All the time. The only reason I’m not is because I’m holding this cup.”
“Better put it down before you spill,” Jack said. “Remember what happened last night when you were talking to Hannah.”
Mary set the cup on the table.
“I spilled my tea everywhere,” she said. “Hannah told me she and Evelyn had been staying with you all that time, not knowing. My hands started to shake.”
Maggie cleared her throat.
“I’m not sure how to proceed,” she said, “but there are a few things I want to say. And you probably have questions.”
She clasped her hands in her lap.
“I had a whole thing prepared in my mind, but it’s all gone out the window. I just want you to know that I have always loved you,” she said, looking at Mary. “When I was pregnant, I talked to you all the time. I shared my dreams with you. You meant everything to me. In fact, there was a song I used to sing to you at night. Not really a lullaby, but I knew I would have to let you go when you were born, and I didn’t want you to forget me. It goes like this.”
Maggie began to hum and then sang, eyes closed, hands on her belly, rocking gently.
“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine…”
She stopped and opened her eyes. Mary, Hannah, and Jack were staring at her. Evelyn was awake, watching her closely.
“What?” she asked.
“That song,” Mary said in a soft voice. “I used to sing it to my boys when they were babies.”
“And I sing it to Evy,” Jack added.
“Oh my,” Maggie said.
They sat in silence until Evelyn began to gurgle and squawk.
“I need to feed her soon, so can I just go up to my room? I mean the guest room?” Hannah asked. “Do you want to hold her for a moment first?”
Maggie reached out her arms for the tiny bundle. Evelyn looked up at her, eyes deep and dark.
“Such a miracle babies are. I’d never held one until Hannah and Evelyn came to stay.”
“You didn’t get to hold me?” Mary asked.
Maggie shook her head, eyes focused on Evelyn.
“No, they wouldn’t let me. They said it would be better that way.”
She looked at Mary.
“They didn’t even tell me if you were a girl or a boy. I didn’t know until Jack came to see me.”
“Oh my God,” Mary said. “I can’t imagine.”
Maggie gazed at Evelyn, caressing her cheek.
“None of that matters now,” she said.
Wow, what a beautiful and emotional last chapter. Teary here
A satisfying ending, especially the message that there is strength in numbers. It's a message that seems to have been lost in today's silo'd world.