Of This Life and the Next

Chapter 11 : Memories of a 'Star Child'

Location: Within the Milky Way Galaxy- Aboard the A.R.K ship

“Sam…we need to talk son.”

“What?Now?”

“Yes, now.”

“O-oh…okay…” Sam hesitantly sat down at the dinning room table, across from where his parents were sitting. Not only was this the obvious location the family shared their meals, but it was also the designated station where the family held their ‘meetings’ which, more often than not, were about Sam and things he did, or didn’t do…or should do…

“So…what’s up?” The young man asked as he scanned his parents’ neutral faces.

The elder Witwickys shared a look, silently urging the other to start off the conversation. Sam could only watch as he wondered what he had done this time. Save for a few run-ins with Trent and his lackeys, he hadn’t gotten into any major altercations…at least, none that required any school officials or school resource officers to intervein. He hadn’t skipped any classes or shown up to school late, nor was he flunking any of his subjects. As for around the house, he had done a pretty good job with keeping up with his chores and even made it a point to keep his room clean and somewhat organized, if only because his mother made it a point to point out the sheer ‘chaos’ that was his room in front of Mikaela- who, for the record, simply smiled in sympathy and insisted her room was a mess as well. And as far as his father’s precious lawn went, well…Sam was pretty sure he hadn’t stepped on it lately…and he made sure he picked up every last bit of Mojo’s mess…

So…what was the problem?

Were they getting divorced?

Where they moving?

Was someone moving in? Please don’t let it be Great Aunt Lilith…that shrew of an old woman had five cats that all hated him and Mojo…and Frankie…

Was it-

“Sam…your mom and I’ve been thinking…” Ron started. He stared down at the table as he tapped his index finger in thought.

Sam perked at attention, “Yeah?” he urged on.

Ron cast a glance at the front window, “Is that car of yours there?” he asked uncertainly.

Sam’s eyes darted to the window before going back to his father, “Bee? No, he’s at the base for a training.” His brows furrowed and his brown orbs darted between his parents, “Why?” 

His parents shared another glance, “We…we don’t…” Ron paused to gather his thoughts, “All this…alien and military stuff…I…we…your mom and I…” he motioned between himself and his wife, “…we don’t think this…‘robot-alien’ war is something you should be getting involved in.” he said at last.

Sam nodded in agreement, “Yeah, I agree. Luckily , things have been pretty quiet lately, so-”

“No, Sam that’s…that’s not the only thing we’re talking about…” Judy interrupted calmly.

Sam’s heart sank. With those words, he was pretty sure he knew where his parents were going with this…

“…What are you talking about?” the teen asked tensely. He could already feel himself growing moist…damn his overactive sweat glands!

Ron leaned forward in his seat, “Sam,” he started with a heavy sigh, “your mom and I don’t think the active fighting is the problem- I mean, we do, but we think the issue lays deeper than that.” He said cryptically.