Dispatched

Chapter 6

The day has come for Charles to wear something presentable towards the Johnsons. He wore a blue sweater, accompanying a white shirt under it.

Classic black shoes, socks and normal brown pants. Why I'm getting nervous for just meeting new people in my life? He thought. It will be fine, Leonardo.

As he looks at himself, it's not the best but not the worst. "Alright, now I need to meet her," said Charles while he's wearing his watch. He reached to her door and knocked. "I'm here."

The woman heard his knocks and reach to the door. Turning the knob, it reveal a man wearing something casual. "Hello, Charles," greeted Samantha. "You look dashing."

He smiled. "You too, Samantha," said the bald man. "So, where's your parents house?" Asked Charles as he examines the woman in front of him.

"Just a few blocks, we could walk. Well if you want," said Samantha. She closed, locked the door and walking down the apartment with Leonardo.

"So, how's your day?" Asked Charles. "I didn't see you today. Are you sick?" Abruptly, he concerns for the woman. Did I asked her if she's alright? He thought. Maybe didn't see her mean she's not in school.

"How did you know that?" Asked Sam. "I have a fever today, but I'm better now." Suddenly, Charles placed his palm on her forehead.

Her bangs went up and could feel his cold hand. "It's burning, but not as hot as I thought," said Leonardo. "Are you really alright?" The man felt more anxious for her health.

"I'm fine," reassured Samantha. "We already made to their house. I think it's too late to go back," said Samantha as she knocks the door.

The door swung open and meet a cheery man in front of them. "Hello, Sammy!" Exclaimed William Johnson. "And you too, Charles."

"Hey Dad," said Samantha. "Glad to see you this happy," the man chuckled and placed his arm on her shoulder.

"That's because you bring Charles and I wanted to know him more. Especially, today's your birthday!" Said Mr. Johnson as he hugged his daughter. "Come in."

Today is Samantha's birthday. I didn't give her a present, Charles thought. As the three stepped in the house, the mother greeted the two adults.

"Nice to see you here!" Mrs. Johnson hugged her daughter while she shakes Mr. Leonardo's hand. "I've prepared salad, meatloaf, some steaks and cake for dessert."

Everyone go to the dinning room. The parents sit together and the two friends sit side by side. "So tell me more about you, Charles. Were you born in New York or other places?" Asked Mr. Johnson.

"Well, I was born in California and-"

Suddenly the mother interrupted the young man. "California? Hey, that's where I live and met my husband," said the elder woman.

"Also, that's where Sammy was born," said the father as Samantha thought about her childhood. She only have some memories but it was blurry.

"Sorry," the mother apologized. "Please continue your story."

"Where did I stop...Oh, and I live in New York only a few weeks now so I'm quite new in this state," said Charles. "So, you're a Californian?" He asked Mrs. Johnson.

"Oh yes, my husband is a New Yorker and our daughter was born in California. But we moved to New York after she was 12," she said.

"Tell your story Sammy, I think you still have some memories you remember," the daughter thought more about her past but was in vain to remember one.

Then, suddenly it click. "I remember someone give me a gift," she took out a locket from her hand bag. "But I don't remember who gave it to me. And I can't open it."

Charles took it without her permission and tried to open the locket. Even this small locket, it was strong enough to not let anyone open it.

"It really is glued together," said Charles. "I suggest you to go to a jewelry shop and tell them to open for you."

"Okay," replied Sam. "Thank you for the advice," she put it back and was ready to have dessert.

"If you live California for almost your years, which elementary school did you go?" Asked the father. "Samantha study at Cambridge Elementary School."

"I'm the same boat as you, Samantha. I, too, go to Cambridge Elementary School," he take a spoon full of ice cream before the parents gasp.

"Does that mean you two know each other?!" Asked Mrs. Johnson. "Are you the same class as her?"

Charles only shrugged his shoulders while Samantha concentrated which class she was in. Unfortunately, she couldn't remember. "I wasn't really sure myself which class I am," he said.

"Well, I remember she was second in the top class," Charles remembers he will always got first in class. "And I remember she talk about the student who got higher rank than her," said the father.

"Oh yeah," the mother recollects. "She will always complained about that student. Even wanted to be top in her class," Sam remembered now.

"If you say that, I always got the top of all of the classes. I'm in top class also," she looked at him, speechless of how they really know each other since young.

However, she never had any memories with him. "I think the two of you knew each other," said Mrs. Johnson. "But you didn't remember the times together?"

Charles looked at the time before he stood. "I think I need to go since it's getting late," the elders looked at the clock in front of them, behind the young adults.

"Oh, you should go now," said Shirley. "We're sorry if we talked to much," the young man smiled at the elder woman.

"No worries, it's the best time we leave as we have our work tomorrow," said Charles. "Shall we go now, Samantha?"

She only nodded before they farewell the parents and walked back to their apartment. "It's not even late," said Samantha. "I mean...it's only nine o'clock."

"In my observation on you, you were uncomfortable to talk to them. What's wrong?" He asked as she sighed. "You don't want to talk, that is fine."

"...I just felt disappointed because I didn't fell in love with someone," said Sam. "My parents were quite desperate for me to marry and have children."

"Well, they are right since you're in your late twenties," said the man beside her. She rolled her eyes as she thinks it's a joke. "However, I think you have the right to tell them you're not ready."

"I-" he placed his hand on the woman's head as he felt it's burning.

"You should rest," suggested Charles. Abruptly, the woman leaned beside him. "Oh no," he touched her wrist, it's hot. "We should take you home quick."

"This is going to be bad..."