Al pointed to Carson and asked Charles, “You’re not wearing this old man out are you?”
“No Sir. He’s wearing me out,” Charles responded and everyone laughed at that, even Margaret and Bev who had come from the kitchen.
“It is nearing supper time,” Margaret said. They visited until Margaret returned. “Supper-time, men.”
“Right behind you,” Al said, getting up from the piano bench.
Everyone gathered in the dining room. The table was set with simple everyday white china. The placemats were a deep red like the roses from the garden. Bev made a centerpiece for the table using a beautiful bouquet from her garden. White candles were on either side of it. Bev walked around the table encouraging everyone to take their seats. The food and drinks were on the table already. Carson said grace. They began to pass the food around the table in a clockwise rotation. They ate as they conversed.
Bev talked to Charles about having Margaret’s family over for a family picnic to get the two families together. Everyone was very interested in this except Charles. His thoughts turned to Caroline, Margaret’s granddaughter. He wasn’t looking forward to seeing her again. The last time had been a disaster. Charles tried to push the thought from his head as a chill ran down his spine. He just moved the food around on his plate while everyone else was making plans for the picnic. Finally he finished dinner and asked to be excused to escape the conversation. He didn’t want to see Caroline and he was certain that she didn’t want to see him either.
As he was preparing to leave the table Margaret said, “I’m sure Caroline would love to see Charles again. She said so the other day…” Margaret looked right at Charles.
Did I hear her right? Caroline wants to see me again? I don’t believe it for one moment. Why would she have said that? Charles scoffed and rolled his eyes at the thought that she might want to see him again.
Al joined in. “It’s true that’s what she said.”
Charles’ face suddenly turned red and he asked, “May I be excused, please.”
“Sure. Please return your plate to the kitchen,” Bev requested.
Charles stood up and pushed his chair in and almost ran as he took his plate to the kitchen. Caroline, Caroline, Caroline. Oh no! Charles wanted to disappear… Bev and Margaret removed the plates and glanced at each other puzzled.
The men sat at the table and talked about their farm equipment. Al commented that he was frustrated that his tractor continued to break down. The ladies went into the kitchen to prepare the dessert. Charles was thankful they were not talking about HER! Bev brought out a layered cake surrounded with strawberries dipped in chocolate. Everyone had dessert; even Charles found himself back at the table. Once again the dishes were removed. This time everyone took a plate into the kitchen. Bev and Margaret started right in cleaning.
The men fixed drinks, then went to the front porch. Al challenged Carson to a game of checkers. It was dark outside. The stars were shining, but couldn’t be seen because of the lights on the front porch. The two men set up their game and began to play.
Charles remained in the kitchen helping the ladies clean up from dinner. He knew the routine and made himself useful. When they finished Margaret and Bev sat at the table making plans for the next day. Charles already knew what he wanted to be doing tomorrow, and his plans did not include planning for a picnic, then or ever. He couldn’t wait to get back to the office. The adventures in the journals were waiting. He excused himself from the table.
Charles walked to the back door. The darkness was calling to him, he felt drawn to the night. As he walked outside he switched the outdoor lights on. The night air was brisker now, but not uncomfortable. He walked away from the house. He looked up and saw the shimmering stars shining in the night sky. He knew the nights would be different when he was Sojourning. He tried to imagine what he had read earlier. The questions he had been writing down began running through his mind. He lay down on the cool grass looking up at the moon. It was a full moon tonight. It looked unreal as he was staring at it. It looked like someone just placed it there for his enjoyment. For the longest time he enjoyed listening to the night sounds. He was trying to identify all the sounds. He was peaceful just lying there.
Nana came to the door and interrupted his thoughts. “Charles. Charles, are you okay?” Her voice seemed concerned.
He sat up, and turned in her direction. “Oh yes, I’m okay. I am just appreciating the night sky and pleasant weather. It’s a full moon.”
“Oh, that is a lovely idea.”
She called to Margaret, “He’s here, outside.”
Margaret stepped out and looked at Charles lying on the ground. Then she looked at Bev, who explained what he was doing. “Sounds like fun to me,” Margaret said.
At the same time they took their shoes off and stepped from the porch in his direction. The grass was cool on their feet as they walked toward him. They were holding on to each other’s arms, leaning close. Bev gathered her skirt around her legs and sat down by Charles. Margaret did the same. Charles lay back down on the ground. Nana and Margaret lay down beside him. They all stared at the moon. It cast a glow across the night sky.
Bev said, “I declare Margaret. I’ve never seen such a beautiful sight. It is magnificent.”
“I’ve never seen the sky so beautiful either.”
“If the boys could see us now.”
“We should do this more often.”
Bev whistled. Then all of a sudden she stopped. They heard a twig break and they all sat up.
Al’s voice asked, “Margaret?”
“Over here Al.”
Al chuckled. “What on earth are you all doing out here?” He ran to the back door and called inside the house, “They are out here in the backyard Carson.” Then, he came back and sat down. He found a spot and lay down next to Margaret. “It is beautiful.”
Charles asked, “Does anyone know about the constellations?”
“Somewhat.” Al began to attempt pointing out the big dipper. “Start there.”
Carson came from the house. He jogged over and sat down by Bev. “What is going on here? Are you having a party without me?”
Al replied, “We are trying to figure out the constellations.”
“Oh, is that all. Well, I know about the night sky,” Carson said. He pointed to the constellations in the sky and began pointing out other stars to connect the dots.
“I’m impressed,” Bev said smiling.
“Cool,” said Charles.
After some time of small talk Margaret stood up and brushed off her skirt. Al rose from the ground to help her. “We should be going,” Margaret stated.
Carson stood up and helped Bev to her feet. Charles rose as everyone walked into the house together.
Al said, “What a wonderful evening with friends.”
“We are blessed,” Bev replied.
“Never a dull moment for us,” Margaret said.
Bev brought Al’s flashlight. Margaret hugged her. Everyone said goodbye. Margaret and Al left into the night. Carson and Bev watched from the porch. When they couldn’t see the friends any longer, they went back into the house.
Charles fixed a glass of milk for himself. He decided he didn’t want a cookie. Instead he wanted fruit. Carson joined him. When they finished Charles stood up from the table.
After being excused he headed for his room. He got ready for bed and finished his nightly routine. He walked to the window and stared out into the night. He was about ready to turn and go to bed when he saw Carson heading for the office. He watched him enter and turn on the lights. Charles turned and walked to bed. He sat and thought about the day. He thought about the picnic Margaret had mentioned. His thoughts were about Caroline. I really don’t want to see her again. I wonder why Caroline told Margaret she would like to see me again? The feeling isn’t mutual. I don’t care if I ever see her again. As a matter of fact, never would be too soon. It wasn’t long until sleep led him to… a picnic! No, No! It couldn�
�t be… He tossed and turned all night. It was a nightmare.
When he woke up he was sweating. He sat up. He looked around and was glad to see he was not at the picnic after all. He jumped from the bed and grabbed his clothes. He headed for the shower. He went back to his room, pulled the quilt up and smoothed it out. Then he ran for the kitchen. His stomach was rumbling. He helped set the table and poured the juice in the glasses.
Bev put the scrambled eggs in a large bowl. She then put fruit and biscuits on the table with butter and honey. “Go ahead and help yourself. How did you sleep last night?”
“Oh, I don’t know. Fine I guess. I didn’t wake up until the sunlight came through the window,” Charles replied as he piled the food on his plate. He thought to himself: I have never eaten so much in my life. If I keep eating at this pace, I will need to start exercising. It’s a good thing I spent so much time bicycling before I came to stay with Nana and Paw Paw. What a wonderful summer to have the opportunity to learn about Sojourning and live with Nana and Paw Paw on the farm. He was having the time of his life. After Charles finished eating breakfast, he took his dishes to the sink. He went to the library to see if Carson was there. He was.
“Are you ready to go?” Carson asked.
“You bet.” As they walked to the office, a frog hopped across the sidewalk. Charles ran after it as it tried to evade being captured. He caught it. Carson encouraged him to bring it in the office. He went to find a glass container to put the frog in.
“What is that?” Airabelle asked.
“It is a frog,” Charles answered.
“Why did you bring him in here?”
“He was on the sidewalk, I caught him and brought him with us. I’ll let him go when we leave.”
“Um, maybe.”
Charles thought the frog looked scared. He should, never knowing if he would see freedom again. Carson came back with an aquarium.
“That is great. Thank you.” Charles lifted the frog into the aquarium. It tried to jump up the wall and realized it couldn’t escape. So, it just sat there gazing out of the glass. Charles put the frog’s aquarium on the floor for the time being. Then he sat down to stare at it. Airabelle flew over to his chair. She also stared at the frog.
“How do you take care of a frog and what do you feed it?” she asked.
“Well, I know it’s going to need water and I think they eat flies. Other than that I don’t know…. Why? What are you thinking Airabelle?” Charles turned around staring at her.
She looked at him and said, “It is kind of cute. I was thinking maybe we should keep it?”
“Cute? Keep it…? What, you want to keep it? Here?”
Carson said, “I think it would be good company for Airabelle.”
The frog croaked in protest Charles thought. “Well then, that is that. Sorry Mr. Frog.”
“I’ll get a table to put his aquarium on. I have one in the garage.” Carson went into the garage. Airabelle and Charles looked at each other when they heard a loud crash. Charles jumped to his feet.
“I’m all right. It just slipped out of my hand.”
Charles went to help. He returned carrying an old brown card table. They set the frog aquarium on the table. Carson brought in a pitcher of water and a shallow bowl for the frog. He placed the bowl with water in the aquarium. The alert frog sat watching him. The frog hopped in the water. He just sat there.
Charles said, “I will research what frogs need tonight. I know we want our new friend to be comfortable…”
Charles went to his chair and sat down. He put his glasses on, reached over and picked up Phil’s journal. He opened the book.
An image flashed in his mind of Caroline. He pushed it aside. I am not going to think about her! No way. He stared at his book. Why do I have to think about her now…? I really need to concentrate. What is the point? The last time I saw her, ugh. He remembered it all too clearly. They had a get together at Nana and Paw Paw’s. They were sitting at the kitchen table with other kids who were there that day. He had taken one of the spoons off the table and puffed his breath on it. Charles tried to put it on his nose and balance it. It fell off several times before it stayed in place. It was a trick he’d seen his friend do in the lunchroom at school. He was trying to impress Caroline and was entertaining everyone until Cynthia came into the kitchen. His back was to her. She was just trying to tease him when she playfully tickled him, knocking the spoon onto the floor. She mocked him by singing, “Charlie’s got a girlfriend! Charlie’s got a girlfriend! Look everyone Charlie’s trying to impress his girlfriend!”
After that happened the kids at the table pointed at him and laughed, right in front of Caroline. He was crushed and embarrassed. Caroline didn’t laugh. She stood up from the table and went to the other room. He watched her as she left. How could I have been so stupid? He hit his forehead with the palm of his hand. The other kids all ran from the room making fun of him. He was left wondering: What just happened? He sat down pitiful and humiliated.
If I see Caroline again it will just be a reminder of being silly and doing something dumb. She probably just wants to laugh at me since she didn’t get to laugh that day. She probably thought about it later and wondered: How could Charles be so ridiculous? Now she is going to come and …
Airabelle interrupted. “Charles, is everything okay?”
“Uh, sure.” Way to go idiot he heard in his mind: Good grief, what is that girl doing to me? She’s coming back to ruin me! As if it wasn’t bad enough the last time, now she will be at the picnic.
He took a deep breath. He focused on the book in front of him. He made himself read. Reading was what he was determined to do. He read the journal for hours. There was a lot of information and he took pages of notes. He wouldn’t be finished tonight. That meant he would return to his reading tomorrow. Ah, it would keep his mind off the picnic.
He looked at the frog. The frog was staring at Airabelle. It was love at first sight, ugh!
Charles turned his attention to his book. What is going on here? He got up to go stretch his legs outside. He put his place marker in the journal. He had to escape the moment.
When he returned Carson had let the frog out. Airabelle and the frog were frolicking around on the floor. Charles tried to ignore them. He walked around trying not to step on the frog. He sat back down on his chair and sulked as he picked up his book to begin reading.
Bev came to the door. She had sack lunches for them. She brought a thermos for them with raspberry tea.
“Thank you,” they both said.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes,” Carson replied.
“Margaret is here so I am going to go. Carson, does next Tuesday sound good to you for a picnic?” Nana was looking at Charles but asking Carson the question.
“Sure.”
Oh great! Now Paw Paw has turned on me... Charles pretended to keep reading. He felt Nana’s eyes on him. I’m not going to look at her. No, I am not.
“Okay, I’ll let Margaret know that it will be all right.” She was still looking at Charles.
Carson was now looking at him too. He was not going to look up. Finally she left. He sat up and straightened his back. Carson was now turned around writing in his journal. Charles was grateful that he was not asking questions. He felt like he narrowly escaped, at least for the time being.
The lunch consisted of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, with chips, fruit and vegetables on the side. After silently eating, they threw their trash away.
Since Charles didn’t feel like having a conversation he went back to reading. The reading was suspenseful, and action packed. Phil knew how to keep his audience’s attention. Charles didn’t want the story to end. He wondered if all the journals would be this good from an experienced Sojourner. Charles was a quarter of the way through when Carson stood up and walked around the office. He found the frog, picked him up and put him back in his new home. Charles looked back at the journal. He found the place he left off and began to re
ad again. Time passed very quickly. He yawned and stretched. He placed his glasses in his shirt pocket.
“Are you done for the evening?” Carson asked.
“I guess.” He set the book on the table and stood up. Carson also finished what he was doing. Airabelle took her time flying to her cage. When she finally landed Carson closed the cage door.
They all said, “Goodnight.”
Even the frog chimed in, which was more of a curious croak than a goodbye. Charles grabbed the journals he was reading and his things. Carson secured the books in their vault, turned out the lights and they walked to the house.
Bev and Margaret were sitting on lawn chairs on the back porch. They waved as they saw the men approaching the house. Carson and Charles waved back. When they made it to the porch they stopped to chat briefly. Then they walked inside the house. Tonight Margaret was joining them for dinner. Al was coming later to play Bridge.
Charles walked through the kitchen and headed for the library. He put the journals and tablet on the coffee table, and then went back to the kitchen where everyone was filling their plates with food. When they sat down at the table Carson said grace. Everyone talked about the day. When dinner was finished Charles asked to be excused to go to the library. He walked down the hall and sat on the couch. He opened the journal to the blue ribbon, put his glasses on and began to read.
A knock at the door broke the silence. Charles sat up when he heard Margaret say, “I’ll get it. It must be Al and Caroline.”
CAROLINE. Charles closed his book; it was too late to hide. His heart beat faster and his mouth became dry. CAROLINE. What was she doing here, tonight? He couldn’t put the pieces together fast enough. Where can I go from here? The kitchen? No. It’s too late to sneak upstairs and pretend to be asleep. He was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Suddenly he began to relate to the frog in the office…
The Xidoran Prophecy Page 10
