Ugana

Chapter 6

The weekend went by entirely too fast with entirely too little happening, leaving much too much time to think. By think I mean brood over the wall, Eric, the kiss. I spent so much time stuck in my own head even sarah noticed, coming to me time and time again asking if I wanted to go for a walk or a movie. She knew I was lost somewhere far from the livingroom and she tried so hard to pull me back.

Sunday afternoon we came home from the park and as she ran inside, I sat on the porch swing staring off into the sky. I felt him before I saw him, John, making his way around the back of the wooden swing and giving it a push before taking a seat beside me.

"I know that look."

"Do you?"

"You have a secret."

"So do you."

He doesnt argue, just pushes the swing back with his long legs as we sit.

"What did she mean?"

"Who?"

"Dont play dumb."

I feel his chest rumble beside me, stifling a laugh.

"I asked her to help get you into medical."

The heat rushes to my face, my palms itching with realization. I had been suspicious, but now it was confirmed.

"Why would she do that?"

"There are a lot of reasons, some of them I havent even figured out yet, but where I am, were going to need people like you very soon, and she knows it too."

"Like me? Why?"

"Because youre different. You question things, I know it. I can see it sometimes. You think. You dont just accept things the way they are. I mean, youre starting not to, anyways. I did the same at your age. Somehow Ugana stopped being so perfect."

I dont argue, I cant, but I cant confirm either. Where is this coming from? This is forbidden territory. I can feel my body shrinking in on itself, trying to hide from invisible eyes. Whos watching? Can anyone hear us? Is this a trick?

"Dont worry. They arent listening. Yet."

The way he says this I cant tell if hes joking, but the hairs on my arms stand up anyways.

When the door swings open and my mother comes out, he changes the subject.

"What are you doing this week?"

"Nothing." I dont bother to say more, hardly able to get the single word out.

"Come to the pairing center with me."

"Oh what a lovely idea!" our mother bursts making her way over to us. "Youll have such a nice time. Ive never been to a pairing center! Youll have to tell us all about it."

"Can I go?"

"It says I can bring a friend to help with the decision making. So many choices in one day...way to many for just one person."

The way he says this, I can hear the lingering tone of sarcasm but its lost on my mother as she smiles beside us."

"Alright then. When?"

"Tuesday, 10am," he says, standing to give our mother his seat and walking down the steps.

"Where are you going?" she calls out.

"The hospital"

"But its your day off!"

"Im a doctor. No such thing."