Crystal stared out of her bedroom window. The year was 2403 and the windows were specially coated to keep solar pollution and heat out. The added benefit for Crystal was that she could see out but the mirrored coating prevented anyone from looking in. Ruby, Crystal’s mother gazed at her youngest daughter with a strange mixture of love and pity. Seeming to sense her mother’s look, Crystal stared back with her unusual piercing gaze. For just a moment her mother flinched but quickly gathered herself with a reassuring smile. It was too late, however, and Crystal’s face fell.
“Why don’t we go to the Aquarium, tomorrow?” asked Ruby in an attempt to cheer her daughter. Crystal’s face showed her conflicting emotions. She adored seeing the now extinct whales and dolphins. “Can we go as soon as it opens?” “Whenever you want to go, my love.” Ruby chose to ignore the elephant in the room. Crystal always tried to visit her favorite places at the quietest times. Then fewer people could stare.
The next morning, Crystal was ready at 6 am. The earth was now so hot that most activities, even inside, took place in the coolest part of the day. Outside clothes were made of a light material that protected your skin from the elements. She slathered sunscreen on and pulled the hood tightly over her head. Ruby was wearing a similar outfit but had yet to pull up her hood. Crystal gazed longingly at her mother’s long dark brown hair which she quickly coiled into a knot. The family’s vehicle was safely enclosed in their attached garage which had to be air conditioned also.
The vehicle was powered by fission and was fully automated. It was manufactured with a material that could resist the deadly heat and protect the occupants from the regular solar flares. Crystal and her family lived in a small satellite settlement on the outskirts of New Atlanta. Driving was quite safe because you followed magnetic tracks which kept your speed at a constant pace. Accidents were rare in this century. The Aquarium was below ground as it would have been difficult to cool such a big building. Crystal started getting excited as soon as they entered the underground parking. Ruby managed to find a parking space very close to the entrance which she knew would please Crystal.
There was no one at the entrance – not unusual in a world that scanned every person. All they had to do was look into the scanner and the door opened automatically. To Crystal’s delight, they were the first people to arrive. She ran straight to the Cetacean section to gaze at the whales. She knew that whales had lived in the oceans all over the world. The oceans had warmed so much that only smaller, tropical fish inhabited the seas. Crystal had read that people used to go on whale watching tours in previous centuries. Now the seas were toxic to humans. Massive cargo ships crossed the world but they were manned by androids.
Suddenly, Crystal’s favorite whale came into view and she ran to the glass to stare at the Beluga whale. The Beluga seemed to recognize Crystal who was a regular visitor and he gently tapped the glass wall with his nose. They were both prisoners in a strange new world that was almost impossible to live on. Every year spacecraft would prowl the galaxies looking for the elusive ‘New Earth’. Mars had a large population but they lived in similar conditions, if not worse, than those on earth. Terraforming new worlds was the ultimate goal but as yet the projects on Mars had failed.
Ruby gently suggested that Crystal might want to visit some of the other animals but she did so reluctantly, waving goodbye to the Beluga. A few people had started to enter the Aquarium and some staff had arrived. Crystal kept her hood closely tied over her head and hid behind her mother. The other visitors were so absorbed in gazing at the long extinct creatures that they didn’t notice Crystal. Only when she was exiting the door did a family notice her. The little boy’s big brown eyes opened widely in shock and he pulled at his mother’s sleeve. His mother sharply inhaled but signaled her son not to stare. Crystal’s eyes filled with tears and Ruby’s shoulders slumped in tired resignation.
Crystal raced back to the vehicle and Ruby paused to reassure her daughter. It was to no avail as Crystal had her face pushed into the passenger window. Like the house windows, they could see out but no one could see in. As they approached their home, Ruby asked her daughter if she would like an oat milk shake. “Yes, please” she said quietly and they stopped briefly at the automated beverage stop. As soon as they got home, Crystal ran to her room to sketch the Beluga.
That evening, after dinner, Ruby broached the subject with her husband, Jasper. “We have been to every doctor, Ruby. When she is older, we can consider a medical procedure.” Ruby took a large gulp of synthetic wine and nodded. They agreed that they would try family counselling again. They tiredly went to bed and hugged each other. In the morning, after home schooling, Ruby broached the idea of family counselling with Crystal. “No! I don’t want to do that again, Mama.”
“I can’t change your genetics, Crystal, as much as I would like to. You are getting older and we, Daddy and I, would like you to come to terms with everything. As you know, Daddy had to have surgery for Dupuytren’s contracture which is hereditary. Many people have to live with conditions and illnesses.” After some discussion, Crystal reluctantly agreed to go back as long as she could approve the counsellor. “Great!” said Ruby. “Let’s look at some profiles.” Ruby let her daughter take the lead and noticed when she lingered over a young woman’s profile. “Shall I book an appointment with Dr. Layla, Crystal?” Crystal nodded silently and went back to sketching the Beluga whale.
A week later, Ruby, Jasper and Crystal made the trip to New Atlanta to see the therapist. Dr. Layla felt that it would be much better to meet in person. Crystal would have preferred a virtual appointment but agreed to meet her. Dr. Layla had a solo practice with a private garage which helped to alleviate some of Crystal’s nervousness. As they exited their vehicle, Dr. Layla appeared in the doorway with a huge smile on her face. “Welcome! Especially you, Crystal. Please follow me.” The family followed the therapist into a large room with comfortable sofas and chairs. It was painted in sunny shades of yellow and Dr. Layla was wearing an intricately embroidered kaftan in a golden shade.
Crystal couldn’t help staring at the unusual garment and at Dr. Layla. “This is a gown made by my Egyptian ancestors, Crystal. Do you like it?” Crystal nodded with a small smile. Dr. Layla had skin the color of coffee, not that anyone had seen real coffee for decades, and it was sprinkled with some freckles. Her eyes were an unusual dark amber color and her dark hair had just a touch of copper. The next hour flew by with Dr. Layla and her parents discussing Crystal’s genetic code and how many doctors they had seen. Dr. Layla attempted to involve Crystal in the conversation but it was too soon.
They made an appointment for the following week and Ruby asked her daughter how she felt. “I quite liked her, Mama. She had unusual coloring with freckles!” Ruby chuckled and said “I thought you might like Dr. Layla. Crystal’s mother and father glanced at each other and tentatively smiled. Jasper asked, “How about Fun Gi Burgers for lunch?” Everyone started smiling with anticipation. Food had become mundane since the interminable heat made it difficult to grow crops. Most evenings they had a simple buckwheat pasta dish and Burgers were such a treat. None of them remembered what real meat tasted like but thoroughly enjoyed the take-out mushroom burgers which were expertly seasoned.
Another week passed, Jasper was busy with work, so Ruby and Crystal travelled alone to visit Dr. Layla. She greeted them with great warmth and was pleased to see a large smile on Crystal’s face. As Crystal walked into the room, she made an abrupt stop. There in the middle of the room was a large mirror. It was covered with a colorful throw. “Don’t worry, Crystal,” said Dr. Layla. “I won’t uncover it until you are ready.” Crystal relaxed somewhat and sat on the edge of the ottoman. Dr. Layla kneeled in front of her and said, “You are beautiful and unique.” The tears started to roll down Crystal’s cheeks. “Let’s do this,” said Dr. Layla and removed the throw covering the mirror. She gently pulled Crystal to her feet and walked her in front of the mirror.
“What do you see, Crystal?”
“A freak. I am a ghost.”
Everyone gazed in the mirror looking at Crystal’s pale skin, the color of alabaster. Her golden curls hid her startling aquamarine eyes. It had been centuries since paleness of skin had been a positive attribute on Earth. Almost everyone strived to have as dark a complexion as possible because it was safest in this cruelly hot environment. Ruby had mocha colored skin with the darkest brown eyes and hair. Jasper was similarly colored but his ancestors were not. They clung to their Scandinavian roots for many years and refused to intermarry even for the health of their future forbears. Jasper’s inheritance was Dupuytren’s contracture which only occurs in Northern European DNA. For some reason Crystal had inherited various recessive genes.
Crystal’s parents were so shocked by her unexpected appearance after her birth. The doctors reassured them that her skin and eyes would darken but they didn’t. Her fairness was a very dangerous condition in this strange new world so the doctors had broached various methods to darken her skin tone and eyes. Dr. Layla softly hugged Crystal. She explained that many centuries ago, Scandinavians evolved to have much lighter skin and hair than other Europeans. That meant they could absorb more Vitamin D through their skin in the dark, cold environment. In time paleness became a desirable look because of its rarity and people who lived near the equators used skin lightening bleaches so they could look less dark.
Crystal looked at her incredulously. Why would anyone want to look paler? All she had ever longed for was dark features like everyone else. Perhaps that was why she was so drawn to the white Beluga whale. Weeks and months passed. Therapy with Dr. Layla continued. Ruby could see a huge improvement in Crystal’s attitude towards her appearance. Dr. Layla’s words had resonated with both her and Jasper. Their therapy homework included watching 20th century movies were most of the actors were white. Even if Crystal couldn’t change her coloring, she was adapting to being different. The next time they went to the Aquarium Crystal’s hood was a little less tight but she still ran to see her favorite Beluga whale who pressed his white nose to Crystal’s through the glass.
The End
Postcards from Kerry 