Chapter
12
Content
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That little encounter with Oliver…
Didn’t leave me dwindling with curiosity as he did before. The only thing that crawled in my head was Amy.
Not too far off in the distance I catch sight of Ms. William sitting peacefully on a bench eating a sandwich. I couldn’t help but express my crooked smile as her hair danced with the gusts of wind.
She was dressed very elegant; she had this stunning spaghetti-strap one-piece dress on. It was in shades of cerulean with the wavy collar a beautiful ruby color; the base of the dress, which stretched slightly below her knees, had a delicate combination of both red and blue.
Her sapphire eyes caught sight of me. She smiled her lovely smile, her lips coated with a light red shade of lip-gloss. Her cheeks were plush, a delicate non-overpowering pink; she looked mindboggling; like a work of art: beyond striking.
As I approached her she stood up respectfully. I was the one who needed to be in awe, I felt prone to kneel before this goddess.
“Hey darling, how was Amber doing?” She asked while she tied her hair in a ponytail.
“She’s doing great!” I answered, “So what’s the occasion?”
She gave me an affectionate smile, “Guess what today is Sam?”
Last time I heard that question was back when I was locked inside my little cubical, but could it be occurring already, has it really been an entire year since I set foot here?
“My birthday?”
She nodded, “Yup, it’s your birthday big boy! Happy Birthday Sam!”
Her delightful expression was so compassionate and warm; I felt, could it have been that word Amy was talking about, love? My stomach felt awkward, nauseous, like butterflies were poking around in there. I couldn’t do anything but beam happily.
Ms. William giggled and gave me a hug, “Oh sweetie don’t get all mushy on me!”
I sniffled.
She pushed me away softly and stared at me, “Leave the weeping for another time silly boy, this is a happy day!”
I did feel happy though, I wasn’t tearing because of grief, “I am happy Ms. William.”
“Good,” she took my hand, “Now, let’s go experience a real Birthday Party!”
“Party!” I said anxiously.
“Yeah sir, and it waits past those two sliding doors right there in the Recreational Facility,” Ms. William pointed at the small almost unapparent, chapel-like structure to the right of the Market District.
Ms. William’s grip felt firm, her hand warm, and her scent as enchanting and sweet as honey.
She steered me gently passed the eye-catching meadow; it was lush, and beautiful, gardens and gardens full of red, yellow, and even some lavender flowers, perfectly cut bushes, perfectly cut grass, it was like some canvas brought to life. The only thing that was missing was the glamorous orange sun, that’s been hiding behind the coating of clouds.
As we walked down the wooden sidewalk, decorated with floating blue balloons attached to glittery white strings, flashing itty-bitty lights lead to the large glass doors. I was excited; I’ve never experienced a real Birthday Party before.
As soon as the doors slid open Ms. William let go of my hand, faced me, and pressed her lips against my forehead, “Happy Birthday,” she whispered.
I had trouble swallowing, I gulped some air to try and maintain my hyperventilation: my heartbeat hammered against my chest as though soon to leap out of my mouth.
Perhaps I was overreacting, but I didn’t know what humanly sensation was apprehending me; perhaps fear, anxiousness? I didn’t know. I took a deep breath and past the double doors.
Amy stood ahead of me posture upright dressed like an angel. She waved at me; next to her, Ms. Johnson; also dressed beautifully, and then next to her, Mr. Cove.
I felt underdressed.
Ms. William’s hand wrapped around my waist, “I hope you enjoy your special day Sam.”
“B-but how did they…”
“They’ve known,” she answered before I even finished my query, “I sent Birthday Invitation emails and text messages to most of the people I know,” Ms. William answered quickly, “You’re my special little boy; I can’t just overlook a special occasion like this one.”
My eyes watered.
The room was wide and open and slightly dim with dangling silvery disco-balls reflecting beams of light from the high ceiling, a gigantic archway outlined in blue balloons stood ahead of us as Ms. William and I walked forward towards the crowd of people.
A catchy beat was playing in the background; loud booms, and high-pitched voices, almost made me want to break out and dance. Tables with blue tablecloth, a wonderful flaunt of different colored roses set on the center of each, were evenly spaced to shape circle around a big, what looked like, a dance floor.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” Everyone yelled.
As soon as the echoing compulsion of voices trailed away the music started roaring. I was boggled, surprised in every way possible; I tried my best to hold back my tears, but a stray one rolled down my cheek.
Amy looked breathtaking, her lavender dress, cheeks light pink, lips natural and shiny, very luxuriant and simple; she ran up to me and gave me a hug, “Happy Birthday Sam!” She said, her captivating blue eyes connecting to mine.
“Thanks!” I replied.
Ms. Johnson shuffled my hair, “Happy Birthday big boy!”
More and more random faces I’ve never seen before came up to me, shook my hand, and wished me a good fortune. I’ve never seen so many people in one room before; it was so alive, so infused with this orchestra of smothering faces, different personalities: perfection: humanity.
Amy took my hand and dragged me to the dance floor; people were already cluttered there moving to the frantic beat of the booming melody.
“Ever danced before Sam?” Amy asked.
I shook my head.
“Well it’s really, really fun!”
I chuckled, “I’m sure it is,” I turned to the mass ocean of asphyxiating faces and watched them move their bodies to the beat.
“Don’t feel intimidated, it’s actually just as easy as walking…”
“Right, right,” I had to be a lot louder than normal; the sound radiating throughout the room was overwhelming; I wasn’t use to it, “Tell me that when I’m on the floor with a broken leg!”
“Please!” She pled.
I cringed, “Ugh… ok.” I finally gave in.
She took my hands and ran it to her waist and then her hands went around my neck.
“You see.” She said coolly.
“Sure…”
“Come on, I know underneath your liking it…”
I raised a brow, “Um… I’m pretty sure you are too.” I gladly interjected.
“Yup!” She said.
We were both silent, staring into each other’s eyes; my stomach was nauseous again, I felt so drawn to her. The music in the background faded away, the conversing people were blocked off.
It was just her and I in that moment... nobody else, just the two of us riding in the beat of the sound.
“Sam…” she said softly, her minty breath hitting my nostrils, she calmly set her chin on my shoulder.
“Yeah,” I whispered in her ear.
“Remember what I told you… that one day when we were on the swings?”
I grinned, “Of course,” I promised her, “You said I was different…”
“And what was the next thing I said?”
I grimaced, “I made you feel special…”
“I love you.” Amy said.
I chuckled, “Want me to fall down?”
“No,” she said softly.
I took a deep breath; I noticed Ms. William and Ms. Johnson sitting on a table together just eyeing both Amy and I, I felt awkward, I blushed and couldn’t help but close my eyes.
The rest of the Birthday Party was a bit vague to me; I didn’t know if it was just
the time I was spending with Amy, but after the music stopped the entire congregation of people sang me Happy Birthday; a simple song, but meaningful and heart-touching: I got a big Birthday Cake, not that little cupcake I was so used to; and many, many birthday gifts were presented to me.
The following morning I woke up with Jane babbling some weird slurs that I couldn’t make up; I scowled, groaned, and moaned, slapped my pillow on top of my head and tried to just ignore.
My door opened, “Sam get up!” I heard Ms. William say a bit more serious than normal.
I pulled the pillow off my face and stared at the doorway, “Ms. William?”
“Yup,” she said with her arms crossed, “I got the day off to make sure you went to school on time.”
I turned away from Ms. William and stared at my desk; the many present I was given were piled there, boxes and boxes of things; I didn’t even finish opening them last night.
“Come on big boy, Mr. Fourteen year-old!” She said.
I groaned again, “Ms. William…”
“Nope, no whining,” she hit the button on the wall and the bright light turned on, “Jane please release the medicine.”
“Understood Ms. Elizabeth William.” Jane replied.
“I’ll be in the kitchen making breakfast.”
I was so exhausted, my muscles felt like jelly; I could barely flex. I slept soundly too; not a nightmare or dream; just a blank and timeless night. I slowly opened my eyes again and blankly stared at my desk, a thick brown envelope was sitting set on top of my journal; a momentary recollection sprouted in my thoughts about Mary’s brown envelope; I had yet to open it, but I didn’t feel inclined to.
I pushed off all the covers and limped to the desk. On the front it said: From: Mr. Cove
To: Sam
I took the envelope; broke the brown clay seal and examined its content. It was just folded paper; from the looks of it: I pulled it out to see its glossy outside texture; the front had a picture of vast forest. Before I opened it a piece of paper fell out. I set the calendar down and took the piece of paper; a letter:
Dear Sam
Recently the Council finally allowed the use of a Calendar; unfortunately this is their version of it, so as you can see, there isn’t a Year. Since yesterday was September 21, your Birthday, tomorrow or today, whenever you open it, it’ll be September 22.
It’s full of luxurious views of forests, and natural places, meadows, and even deserts, thought you’d enjoy a change of environment. Again Happy Birthday Sam and may you enjoy your many other gifts.
Sincerely
Mr. Cove
“I already took the liberty to put a nail on the wall over your desk honey,” Ms. William said; I turned to look at her and she was leaning on the doorway with a bright smile.
“A nail?”
She pointed, “Yeah look over your desk silly.”
I saw this thing sticking out from the wall, like a fishhook; I examined the calendar again and noticed a small hole on the top center of the piece of paper.
“I’m supposed to hang this?”
Ms. William laughed, “Yup, here… here,” she took the calendar, flipped it to the page where it had SEPTEMBER written on the top, and hung on the hook, “Makes it look nice, you see… like a painting.”
I passed my finger down the waxy surface of the paper until it I hit September 22: September 22, Friday
“So today is Friday?” I asked.
“It seems so, according to this calendar.” Ms. William clarified, “Now, come quick before your breakfast gets cold; cooked sausage, eggs, and diced cheddar cheese!”
I opened the door and walked outside, to my surprise, the sun was out. Not a mushy stain of cloud; just a beautiful and perfect light blue dawn with the orange sun blazing down its magnificent glory..
So the Council finally set a rule to be able to house calendars, well not just any calendar: their version of a calendar. One of Mr. Cove’s earlier lessons were of calendars and how they told the exact date and year, how weekly days adjusted in conjunction with the year; but the Council took that away: perhaps simplified it?
Hopefully Mr. Cove would have a better insight in this, maybe he’ll finally tell me what kind of Government we have: but thus far, I’m pretty sure it’s probably a Dictatorship.
Yesterday was a wonderful day, I jotted it down on my Journal that evening before going to bed; I had to track it: how else would I be able to recall such a festive event; all brought to life just for me.
Ms. William actually taking the following day off too; I know her better than that, she took it off just to make me breakfast. No way will this recollection fall victim to the fading void inside my head.
Mr. Cove didn’t tell me what Government our society was, he didn’t even mention the calendar, or the evening whatsoever, and he was also very dull and glum today too; it dragged slowly as usual, but it did end.
I left the Jefferson Building and made my way towards Amy’s house, couldn’t wait to talk to her about this Outside World and the calendar I received from Mr. Cove. I was overjoyed.
From the distance I caught sight of Ms. William, Ms. Johnson, and Amy, all outside conversing. I was a bit shocked, wasn’t expecting to see Ms. William over at Ms. Johnson’s, but she did have this unnatural off day today. As I got closer I was able to hear them clearly.
Amy sighed, “That’s so not fair, so they do this on my last year?”
“Well you’ll enjoy it in the following progression of your studies sweetheart,” Ms. Johnson assured her.
“And it does mean a bit more free time too, so you’ll be able to come home more often than we did when we were in our LCP Program.” Ms. William said.
As soon as Amy’s stare caught sight of me, her face brightening with a big smile, Ms. Johnson and Ms. William both turned at her direction; I was embraced with all their smiles. I felt happy.
“Hi Sam!” Amy said, followed by Ms. William and Ms. Johnson.
“So what were you all talking about?”
“Oh it’s splendid news,” Ms. Johnson said cheerfully.
“But I’ll discuss it with Sam personally when we return to our quarters Amber,” Ms. William interrupted, her tone serious, “I recently received his LCP Plan.” She explained.
Amy’s expression turned serious; perhaps she didn’t see that as good news.
“How exciting Sam!” Ms. Johnson said with a bit more joy than I would have added in any given sense.
Or at least I wasn’t as eager to find out this LCP program; especially after seeing Amy’s reaction to it.
“Great!” I said trying to add a bit of excitement to my monotonous tone.
“Hey Sam lets go inside.” Amy said.
“Ok,” I said.
I entered Amy’s room and sat on her bed, she closed the door behind her and sat next to me; she was quiet and her face expressionless. She turned to me with a frown on her beautiful face.
“Sam,” her voice was weak, “I am afraid I’ll never see you again after this year ends… they’re sending me off to a different location.”
“They as in whom?” I asked.
“I don’t know Sam, but I believe it’s the Council… I think they’re the ones that control the LCP’s.”
“I doubt with all the other stuff the Council has to do they’ll worry about what every kid in this place will do for the rest of their life.”
Amy shook her head in neglect; I shut up, “Wrong Sam, I believe they’re responsible for our lives, I mean, ugh,” she grimaced, “I don’t know what to think Sam… I just feel pressure… Sam I-I’m scared!” She exclaimed, her dry lips trembling in despair.
I didn’t know what to say, “I mean it’ll all be fine Amy, honestly, what could be the worst thing?”
“My LCP,” she answered.
“What is your LCP?” I then asked, because she never did mention it.
“I-I can’t tell you Sam,” she bit her lip and stared blankly at the floor, her eyes not even bli
nking; she sniffled.
I couldn’t do anything, I wish I could, I wish I had the all powerful hand and just make her happy; I wish I could just swing a wand (in one of the stories Amy read me there were Magicians that flicked a wand and made supernatural things occur; fascinating!) and make her fear go away; or perhaps make her LCP disappear if that’d make her content.
But I was powerless; I was this itty-bitty speck, compared to some gargantuan invisible power making our society go-round.
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Jake Hartman
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