The Coupling (The Letting #2)
Release Date: February 15th 2016
Summary:
In Ronnie Billings’ dystopian world, surviving the Letting and
breaking free of a corrupt government is less of a surprise than falling in
love with Phoenix Day, the leader of the Peaceful Revolution…
When the government sentences Ronnie to a Coupling under the guise
of producing a coveted blood type, Ronnie discovers the one she’s slated to
Couple with expects even more.
Prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to save those she loves
most, Ronnie devastates Phoenix with her impossible decision. Whisked away from
her rebel life to another world ravaged by despair, Ronnie meets her greatest
nemesis...her biological father.
Steeling her nerves against the dangers of escape, she embarks on
the perilous journey back. She is convinced she belongs with Phoenix and his
revolution, but will her friends, and especially Phoenix, be ready to accept
her when she returns? Because this time, evil is in her blood...
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Character
Interviews:
PHOENIX:
Phoenix walks into our interview wearing perfectly fitted jeans
and an army green t-shirt that pulls tightly across his chest and wide
shoulders. He sits on a stool opposite my folding chair.
Phoenix, I want to thank you for letting me interview you
once again.
He nods, staring at me. I know he’s not being rude, he’s simply waiting
for me to begin.
In THE COUPLING, you and Ronnie are separated for a bit.
Want to elaborate?
Phoenix exhales
audibly and leans forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. He clasps his
hands together, shaking his head. Then he sits up straight and leans back in
his chair. When he does, he suddenly seems to have control of everyone and
everything in the world.
Phoenix?
(He nods at me, his blue eyes fixed on me.) That’s not
something I’m proud of. I—I… (He runs his hand through his tousled hair and
then comes to stillness again.) I let passion and pride and jealousy
and…anger rule me. (He shakes his head) I shouldn’t have.
How did these emotions rule you?
I have always protected Ronnie. Always. And
when she sacrificed herself to save us—me and Brooke and those girls she loves
so much—damn. (He sits back again) I
was lost. I didn’t know what to do.
Didn’t you tell her, and I quote, “You have done the one
thing I cannot save you from—and may not be able to forgive you for…”?
(Phoenix
nods, swallowing a lump in his throat.) Yeah.
And what did she do in response to
that statement?
This is Ronnie. She did it anyway, because she
thought it was the right thing to do. The only thing to do. She did it to save
me.
And you hate that?
Yeah, I hate that. (His voice is louder and his body language more aggressive. He relaxes with his next answer) It’s my
job to protect her.
But you two were able to reconcile?
He nods.
As far as the reconciliation, was
there anything in particular you said to her you can share with us?
I said, “The stupidest thing I have ever done
in my life, Veronica Billings, was to let you go.”
Last time we spoke, you kept your
feelings for her private and in check. Has that changed?
What Ronnie and I do is between us. And only
us. But how I feel about her—that’s no secret.
How do you feel?
Like she is my reason for living.
Love?
Love is not a great
enough word for how I feel about her. I will do anything for Ronnie. Anything.
And I will keep her safe, always. No matter what.
What’s next for Phoenix and Ronnie?
We’ve got a reconnaissance mission to HopeLess
World.
Where you’ll face your greatest enemy
yet.
Yeah.
And why will that be a challenge for
you?
Because he’s Ronnie’s biological father.
But that’s what’s next for your
journey. What’s next for Phoenix and Ronnie?
That’s…probably nothing I’m gonna share.
Well, can you tell us where you left
off?
We have some things to work out…
Like?
(He
stares at me in an unnerving way) Like…we both have some issues
with…uh…control.
You mean, who’s in charge of your
relationship?
There’s no one in charge. We’re in it
together. But sometimes tough decisions have to be made and then—(he stops abruptly)
And then what, Phoenix?
Well that’s what we’re working on.
But you think it should be you in
charge—when those tough decisions have to be made.
Damn right—but only when her safety is at
stake. But we’re in it together.
Completely. (Phoenix gives me the first
smile I have seen from him this interview)
What have you learned from all this?
I’ll never let anyone come between us ever
again.
What if someone tries to get between
you two?
(Phoenix
looks up with his piercing eyes, smoldering) I wouldn’t want to be the man
who tries it.
Suddenly Phoenix stands.
I need to go check
on Ronnie. We leave for HopeLess World in just a couple of hours.
Oh, okay. Thank you for the interview, Phoenix. And, good
luck.
The way he smiles, I know Phoenix doesn’t need my luck. As
long as he has Ronnie, he has everything he needs.
RONNIE:
Ronnie wears a black tank top tucked into
a pair of fatigues and an army jacket. Her long black hair hangs loosely down
her back. She sits on the same stool Phoenix sat, only moments before.
This is my second time interviewing you, Veronica, thank you
for your time.
You’re welcome. And
call me Ronnie, please.
Okay, Ronnie, can you tell us what a Coupling is?
(Ronnie takes a deep breath) A Coupling,
in our world, is a required action between two people with matching blood
types. The goal is to produce offspring with that coveted blood type. The
Couplings began with Farnsworth Sr. as a way to secure more blood for the
Lettings.
In The Coupling,
you make some tough choices. One in particular is the toughest choice you’ve
ever made. Tell us about it.
That’s funny you
call it that—a choice, I mean. To me, I was forced into a situation from which
I saw no way out. I made the decisions I did based on my love for Phoenix and
the girls. And even Brooke.
But now, in retrospect, would you do anything
differently?
Phoenix and I have
gone over this many times. (She sighs)
I understand he never wants me to put myself in jeopardy again, and I have to
trust sometimes he has answers that maybe I don’t…
That’s not really an answer, Ronnie.
I’m supposed to say
yes, I learned my lesson—I would never sacrifice myself for him again. But, truthfully…
(She looks up at me, her dark eyes
smoldering) He is the promise for our future, you know?
Are you saying you would purposely go against Phoenix’s
wishes?
I’m saying…I prefer
not to comment on that. (Her eyes drop
down, and she picks a piece of lint off her fatigues.)
Phoenix says his job is to protect you.
(Ronnie looks up and then turns away and
speaks softly) He has a journey so much bigger than protecting me. I hope he never forgets that.
Sounds to me, Ronnie, like you are willing to sacrifice
yourself for the greater good.
What I want is to be
sure I am not a distraction for Phoenix.
Distraction? Because of your relationship?
Yes. I don’t want
him to focus on me and not the others.
Speaking of relationships, how would you categorize your
relationship with Phoenix?
I don’t know if
there is a category…
Describe, then?
I am the night, and
he is the day. He makes me feel loved, and cherished, and protected.
Wasn’t Phoenix your enemy?
Yes. We were on
warring sides—me, the ultimate authority and him, the greatest of rebels.
And those two enemies have bonded?
(She smiles her response)
What is your plan?
We’re heading to
HopeLess World to face our enemy, my father.
I mean, for the two of you…? How bonded have you become?
Oh, I… I think I’ve
said everything I need to say about that. (She
smiles) But thank you for the interview.
Suddenly, I see a figure lurking not far from our makeshift
interview area. I turn to look outside the tent—it’s Phoenix.
I heard you were
through. I came to see if Ronnie needed anything…
It’s obvious he wants to be with her, always. Without
another word, Phoenix wraps his arm protectively around Ronnie’s waist. I can
see the sparks of electricity ricocheting back and forth, between them. Before
they exit the tent, I ask one last question.
Ronnie? You never answered my question. What is your plan
for the two of you?
My hope is we’ll be
together.
Always?
(Phoenix turns to me then) Always. We’ve
survived…so much. There’s nothing that can separate us ever again.
As I watch them exit, I know Phoenix will never let anything
harm her, ever. Not even death could be a force strong enough to separate
them.
About the Author
Given my love for cities and all that is gritty, my new obsession with trees
really has me stumped. (Sorry.) Maybe it's because trees are the inspiration
behind my new YA/NA novel, THE LETTING.
Whatever the reason for my new infatuation, some things remain
constant -- like my love for: coffee (although sadly, it's now decaf); yoga;
Luna bars (I am petitioning for them to bring back Chocolate Raspberry!);
running in my neighborhood; Hemingway; Bukowski... and, above all, my husband
and my girls.
I am the author of the bestselling novel, Sleeping With
Mortals: The Story of a New York Mistress, and I'm also a playwright.
I have my B.A. in English and my M.A. in Theatre.
Author Links:
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