In the Valley of Lost Souls

Tina and Jess sat at Tina's kitchen table folding pamphlets and listening to reggae music. They'd promised their kids they'd help out with the campaign to stop the pipelines.

“Three hundred and fifty down and two hundred and fifty to go!” laughed Jess, as she completed another pile of ten folders. “I think when we get these done we'll have earned a little treat at the Phoenix, don't you?”

“Yup,” Tina answered, continuing with her folding.

“How did our kids manage to get us involved with their environmental activities?” asked Jess. “I've got to hand it to them both, they're pretty smooth.”

“Yes, they sure are. I bet those persuasive abilities will come in handy when they're all grown up,” Tina laughed.

“Could be worse,” said Jess. “Our kids are saving the world and we're helping them, all the while listening to music and looking forward to a visit to the Phoenix as a reward.”

The phone rang and Tina picked it up. “Hey, Velvet. What's up?” asked Tina, recognizing her number on the call display.

“Mom, you and Jess can stop folding!” Velvet shouted into the phone, excitedly. It was hard to hear her over the cheering and laughter in the background.

“What? I thought you said this was really important to you,” said Tina.

“It was, and I'm so grateful for your and Jess's help, but everything's changed, and we won't need those brochures anymore,” Velvet laughed, “You won't believe it!”

“Believe what?” exclaimed Tina, her skin beginning to prickle.

“Mom, turn on the radio, OK? It's all over the news,” said Velvet, in that self-assured voice teenagers sometimes use towards their parents, before hanging up.