The Receiver

Love

One day I spoke up "I like the feeling of love" I confessed, I glanced nervously at the speaker, reassuring myself that no one was listening. "I wish we still had that" I whispered

"of course, I understand that it wouldn't work very well and that's it much better to be organized the way we are now. I can see that it was a dangerous way to live"

"What do you mean?" The giver asked

I wasn't certain what I had meant, I could feel that there was risk involved, though I wasn't sure how.

Later that evening during meal I decided to ask them "I have a question I want to ask you"

Though feeling embarrassed I released the words "Do you love me?"

There was an awkward silence then father gave a chuckle " Noah precision of language,please!"

I couldn't understand what my father meant, Amusement was not at all what I had anticipated

" Your father means that you used a very generalized word, so meaningless that it's become obsolete" my mother explained carefully, meaningless...

I didn't feel anything as meaningful as the memory

"And of course our community can't function smoothly if people don't use precise language. You could ask do you enjoy me" with my mother replying "yes"

"Or do you take pride in my accomplishments?" The father explained

"Do you understand why it's inappropriate to use a word 'Love'

After still feeling uncertain I decided to ask Amelia the next day, we been spending loads of time together before and after going to the Annex.

Even though I didn't give her any of the memories she constantly checked in on me asking how I'm doing, she also noticed when I was feeling down. Always reassuring me with a smile telling me everything is going to be okay!

I smiled at that thought before going to bed

The next day for the first time I did not take my pill. Something within me, something that had grown there through the memories, told me to throw the pill away.

we'll riding I thought about what my parents said, I decided to ask her. Almost stumbling over my words

"Um...Do... you enjoy my company?" Barely getting the words out, for a moment she looked at me with her mouth opened almost stopping in her tracks but suddenly she started laughing and smiling looking away I almost could hear whisper "oh my"

"Yes I do enjoy your company..."refusing to look at me but for a split second even though she tried to hide it, I saw the color red on her cheeks and ears. As she smiled grinning ear to ear

I didn't know why her face was turning red but it wasn't a unpleasant feeling