Dreamcatcher

Chapter Sixteen: Meet The Ambers

Shortly after the conclusion of the show, the cast of The Tempest were back to their normal appearance and free to leave school grounds.

The young couple who carried the show wandered aimlessly along the sidewalk that lead them home. However, it was Rachel's intention to invite her boyfriend over to stay for the night. Clark and Rachel walked hand in hand, dawdling up the road in silence.

By the time they arrived in the driveway of Rachel's home, Clark's hand slipped out of his girlfriend's grasp and followed closely behind her up to the front door. Silently, Rachel opened the unlocked door and walked inside with Clark following suite. The temperature altercation was detected immediately upon entering. The size of the room was quite large and opulent.

In the kitchen, a woman in her forties stood in the kitchen preparing dinner for herself and her family. The two teenagers walked further into the household where they were quickly spotted by Rachel's father who had just begun to walk downstairs with a folded newspaper latched between his bicep and his side. The pleasantry of seeing his daughter home safe and sound brought a smile to his face but not so much upon noticing the company she brought.

"Rose, Rachel's home," sang the father. "And she, um, brought her new friend."

The older woman isolated in the kitchen ceased her current task and whipped her head around in the direction of the voice calling here, where she noticed three people standing in the foyer. Quickly wiping her hands on a tea towel, Rose approached them and

"Our surprise star returns. You're just in time. Dinner's almost ready." Rose greeted her beloved daughter with a hug before drawing her attention to the tall boy. "And you must be Clark. We've heard so much about you."

Clark raised an eyebrow as a grin formed on his face and made eye contact with his girlfriend's mother, eagerly missing Rachel's embarrassed expression. At the same time he failed to comprehend the façade she put on to conceal her true disappointment towards her father, given that they were in his company now.

"Have you, now?" Clark spoke in a calmly manner.

"Oh yes, we have. She has expressed just how much she adores you."

"Mom..." Rachel groaned.

"Alright, that's enough... for now," said the father. "Welcome to our home, Clark. I'm James Amber, in case you missed it. Rachel, honey, you were resplendent tonight."

"Thanks."

"Clark, you must join us for dinner - fortunately, I've made plenty of leftovers. I made chicken a la king. I'm sure you both acted up quite the appetite." Rose insisted.

A quick interjection from Rachel about her washing up before dinner brought Clark an ignominious feeling being stranded with his girlfriend's parents, whom he was yet to make an impression upon.

While Rachel headed upstairs, everybody dispersed.

Rose returned to her cooking, James entered the living room to read his newspaper, Rachel went upstairs to prepare and Clark stood aimlessly in the foyer. 

"Everything about this house is nicer, cleaner, better, and more expensive than mine. Which isn't saying much, but still..." Clark thought to himself as his eyes traced across the rooms in sight. 

He proceeded to wander down the corridor where he noticed a trophy case filled with all of Rachel's past achievements. For a large house, there was a limited amount amount of photos except two that he found. One was a family portrait a few years ago and another was a portrait of the girl with beeline honey brown hair. 

Clark looked over at Rose and acknowledged her. "Need any help cooking, Mrs Amber?" 

"Oh, no, dear. I'm fine, thank you very much. But perhaps you could help by setting the table? It's all in the China cabinet over there."