Samantha's Talent

by Darrell Bain

  "Yes, and that's where I want it to end!" She stood with her arms hanging at her sides, looking at him imploringly. She wanted desperately to reach out to him but his expression held her back.

  "I could go to prison, Sammie. You know that, don't you?"

  "What? Isn't the age of consent sixteen? I'm having my birthday in a couple of weeks, too."

  "Sweetheart, the age of consent in California is eighteen. Besides, even if it wasn't, what would your parents say? And I shouldn't be calling you sweetheart, either. That only makes it feel worse because the situation is so impossible."

  "No it isn't. It can't be," she said stubbornly. At the moment she wanted nothing so desperately as to be in his arms again.

  He looked into her brown eyes with their long eyelashes. She saw the yearning for her in his facial expression and wondered how long he had kept it repressed. Probably as long as I have, she thought. She had dated other students she met when she went in to the university, usually to take tests or for finals. None of them had moved her much, nor interested her enough to go with them again. No boy or man had ever made her feel the way Juan just had. Her body was still tingling with longing for him to touch and kiss her again. Or more.

  "Sammie, can we talk about it again later, when we've had a chance to think about it rationally? I can't be reasonable right now and neither can you and we both know it."

  "Juan... "

  "Please? For a few days anyway."

  "You promise we will talk about it again?"

  "That I do. I promise." He leaned down and planted a chaste kiss on her lips then quickly backed off. "For now though, and thanks to you, we've had our breakthrough. I may never be as good talking with animals as you since I started so late, but I can do it. I think Shufus was as surprised as I was when we began understanding each other."

  "Do you know exactly how it happened?"

  "Let's go back and sit on the couch and let me try to reconstruct it."

  Once seated and with fresh coffee brewing, he said, "You know, I can't decide exactly what I did to cause Shufus to understand me. As best I remember, and bear in mind I could be wrong, I think I felt a little click when he first began responding." A furrow formed between his brows. "No, that's not exactly right. It wasn't a click, it was more like the answer to a difficult problem suddenly became obvious to me. You've had that feeling, haven't you?"

  "Sure. Lots of times. And that's what you felt?"

  "Uh huh. Whether it means anything or not, we'll have to see. But the problem is that I wasn't hooked up to any instrument when it happened so there's no record of just what did happen. Also, I doubt that trying to record it now would be as useless as thinking of the answer to the difficult problem again after you've already solved it. It's already been done. I suspect that any instrument would show exactly what they do when you're talking to an animal: activity in the left hemisphere in that small area where the concentration of synapses are higher than elsewhere, part of the same area where neither of us deleted very many synapses compared to other teens and young adults."

  Samantha thought about the difficulty. "I suppose that the best way, probably the only way to find out if that "aha" moment means anything in relation to animal communication would be to discover someone else like us. Once we found someone we'd have them study all the factors we think are associated with animal communication. After that, we'd wire them up forty ways from Sunday while they tried communicating with an animal."

  "Exactly. First catch the rabbit, then make your rabbit stew."

  She laughed. "Funny, but all too true. Anyway, we can now be partners when we talk to the alien, if we do and if we can." She realized Juan was deliberately getting her to talk about anything except what had just happened between them. It's probably a good thing, she thought, when what I really want is to push him down on the bed and climb on top of him and kiss him until he makes love to me.

  ***

  Three days later and true to his word, Juan was ready to explore their relationship. Again they were at his apartment and again it was a rainy afternoon, precluding a walk in the woods. By then, Juan was conversing more freely with Shufus. He was also taking the first tentative steps in trying to comprehend Sheik's avian expressions, and having the parrot understand when he spoke directly to him. Progress so far had been small but detectable.

  "The coffee's ready. Let me pour us a cup. If you want to talk about our future, this is a good time for it," Juan said. He glanced out the window where rain was beating a steady, windswept tattoo against the glass.

  Samantha smiled encouragingly. She was ready and armed with a solution she hoped would solve their dilemma. The problem, she knew, was going to be getting him to agree with her.

  He brought in the carafe and their cups. He filled both then sat back on the couch and smiled at her.

  She felt her heart beat faster just from his smile. She realized she had never felt like this before, no matter how trite it might sound if she voiced the awareness. All she had to do was look at him to make her feel there could never be anyone else for her.

  "Sammie, I wish it were different but it isn't. I just don't see any solution but to wait until you're eighteen because we can't move. The whole project is located here."

  "You're not thinking like a polymath. The solution should be obvious to anyone with half a brain."

  "I guess I'm not as smart as I thought I was. Would you mind sharing that obvious solution with me?"

  "Uh huh, I will, but first answer a question or two."

  "Sure, if I possibly can."

  "Okay, first question. What are the chances we'll ever find anyone else as suited to us as we are to each other? Bear in mind that I know how brief your past romantic liaisons have been."

  "Very slim, approaching no chance at all," he said without hesitation. "I've never found a woman who held my interest long enough to get serious. I certainly could with you but for your age."

  "Got it in one. Next question." She took a deep breath. "Juan, do you love me?"

  Again, he didn't hesitate and his answer melted her heart. "I think I was halfway in love with you before we ever met in person, despite how young you were. I daydreamed about you being grown and us... well, never mind. As soon as we did meet and I got to know you, I realized I had been right. Yes, I love you, Sammie, for all the good it does us right now."

  "Good. Got that in one as well. I love you, too, Juan. Now if you'll kiss me, I'll tell you what we're going to do." She smiled at him in that mischievous manner he'd seen before. It always presaged something good and usually humorous. This time the smile was the same but the rest of her expression was as serious as the Pope on Easter Sunday.

  He couldn't resist. She came into his arms. The kiss went on and on until he finally had to stop to breathe. His hand had inadvertently strayed to her breast without thinking about it. He hastily removed it. "You see what happens when we let ourselves go?"

  "Of course I do and I love it. That's why we're going to get married."

  If a man could look more stunned and confused than Juan did at that moment, she didn't want to see it. Besides, she could tell that beneath the shock of her proposal there resided a desperate hope that it could actually happen.

  "You can say yes any time now," she urged.

  "Of course. Yes, I'd love to marry you, sixteen or not. But there's the little matter of parental consent that might stand in the way."

  "You leave my parents to me. The day after tomorrow is Saturday and Mom and Dad are both going to be home in the morning. I'll tell them then."

  "And you think they'll agree?"

  "Honestly? I think Mom already knows we're in love. She just hasn't said anything. Dad will worry a little, and he may hem and haw some just because I'm still his little girl somewhere inside, despite what the psychological tests showed. He'll welcome you into the family, though."

  "You're sure of all this?"

  "I'm sure they'll agree that we're suited for each other. They'll agree
to us getting married. I'm just not sure of when. I hope they'll agree to let us marry when I'm sixteen but I won't guarantee it. In fact... well, never mind. We'll know soon enough."

  He smiled, trying for the same kind of mischievous expression she displayed at times, but only partially succeeded. His words made up for it, though. "If that's the case I guess it wouldn't hurt to kiss you again, would it?"

  "It wouldn't hurt even a little bit." She slid into his embrace. It felt as natural to her as sunshine warming her body and made her wish they were already married. This time his hand wandered deliberately, taking her breath away. She was as happy as she had ever been in her life.

  Chapter Forty One

  Saturday morning the Douglas family was having their after-breakfast coffee in the living room, just as they usually did when they had time. The last couple of days Samantha had caught her mother glancing at her occasionally when she was home. She thought it was almost certainly because of the exuberance she had been displaying since she and Juan had decided to get married. Once she saw that her parents were settled and relaxed she broke the news.

  "Mom, Dad, I have some great news for you. Juan and I want to get married."

  Elaine looked startled for a moment, but not as much as Samantha thought she would have had she not already suspected something was going on between her and Juan. Ronald had his coffee cup to his lips when she made the announcement. He took too much in one gulp and burned his tongue and almost dropped his cup.

  "When did this come about?" Elaine asked.

  "We just decided a few days ago."

  Her father was staring at her as if she were someone from a foreign land who had suddenly appeared in their home.

  "Don't look so upset, Dad. Juan is the best match you could ever hope to find for me."

  "I'm, uh, not disputing that, Sammie. It's just that you're not quite sixteen and he's what? Well into his twenties?"

  "My age doesn't matter, Dad. I'm as mature as he is. Lynn's tests prove it in case you haven't talked to her. And yes, he's twenty five. That doesn't matter, either. We're in love and are ready to get married."

  "Your mother and I have both talked to her. You're right. You are mature, but don't you think you should wait a while and be certain of your feelings, Sammie?" Ronald said, clearly playing for time until he got the idea fixed in his mind.

  "That might not be a bad idea, Sammie," Elaine said. "I'm not disputing your idea of a good match but this is rather sudden."

  "Mom, in less than a year Mr. McAllister thinks the alien will be back. So does Juan and so do I. The world might end when it comes, for all we know. Besides, look how long we've know each other already. We want to get married now."

  "What do you mean by 'now', Sammie?" Ronald asked with a troubled expression on his face.

  Samantha knew immediately what he was thinking and laughed. "Well, it can't be tomorrow, for sure. I'll need to see a GYN doctor and get started on some kind of birth control. I don't think it would be a good idea to get pregnant right away, do you?"

  "No, probably not," he said in a relieved voice. "Your mother can advise you about that, though."

  "I'm satisfied with Dr. Leonard. She's who I've been seeing since we moved here. Would she suit you?"

  "If you're satisfied, Mom, I'm sure I would be. Would you mind making the appointment for me and going with me?"

  "I'd be glad to. You do realize that it will probably be at least six weeks and more likely two months before you can be sure of any birth control method?"

  "I kind of thought so. I looked it up after we decided."

  "We haven't agreed to give consent yet, Sammie," Ronald said.

  "Honey, let it go. I've kind of suspected this was going to happen for months. Sammie isn't your little girl any more. Despite her age she's a fully mature woman, mentally and physically. Unless you've got a real reason to say no, or have something against Juan, I don't see a problem. I do feel like you should wait a while longer, Sammie. Really."

  He argued futilely for a few more minutes but finally agreed, in an oblique way. "Alright, Sammie, but I'm not going to give consent right away. I feel the same way as your mother does. I'd like to see you wait until you're seventeen. Also, I'd like to talk to Juan before we make a final decision. Can we do that much? I would like to know something about his background. "

  "Sure, Dad. I expected you'd want to see him and talk to him about it. If you didn't, I'd think something was wrong with you." She gave him her most honest and sincere smile and meant it fully. Then the smile faded. "If you're wondering about his family, you can forget it. He's an orphan. His parents were both killed in an auto accident when he was only six and he was raised by his only aunt. He told me she died when he was twelve, the year he finished high school. MIT gave him a full scholarship so he didn't have to have anything to do with CPS other than them monitoring him until he was eighteen. He said he may have family somewhere in Mexico but if so, his Aunt never talked about it. I got the impression he thought she was probably concealing a skeleton in the family but he didn't press her. You can ask him about all that if you like."

  "Would tomorrow be alright?"

  "I was hoping that was what you'd say. I'd like for you and Mom to get to know him as well as I do. I think he's going to like getting a family in the bargain."

  "You realize it will take a little time before this sinks in, don't you?"

  "Oh, sure. I imagine Mom feels the same way."

  "Yes, I do. You're very perceptive, honey." Samantha had long since thought her dealings with animals somehow gave her a deeper insight into humans.

  "How about asking Juan to dinner tomorrow evening? Will he be free then?"

  "So far as I know. I'll call and ask in a few minutes."

  "Call and ask! Call and ask!" Sheik said in Samantha's voice. Laughter dissolved any remaining tension. Both parents stood up and hugged her. Fifteen minutes later the dinner invitation was accepted.

  Samantha was disappointed that neither parent wanted her to marry quite so young. She tried to look at it from their perspective and gradually, reluctantly, she came to the conclusion that in their place she would probably feel the same way. But seventeen seemed like such a long time in the future, practically an eternity. Then another thought intruded. She smiled inside then couldn't help but smile at her mother. It brought a curious expression to Elaine's face.

  ***

  Later that day when Ronald was running some errands, Samantha went to her mother. "Mom?"

  "Yes, sweetie? What now?" She smiled to show there was no aggravation behind her question.

  "Would you still make that appointment for me?"

  She looked at her daughter as a woman for the first time, somewhat sadly. She had a woman's body, no doubt there, and the testing had showed clearly that she was as mature as a grown woman. "Do you think you'll need it, Sammie?"

  "I don't know, Mom. But if we're going to be engaged and not married for a while I'd rather be safe, just in case."

  "Alright, honey. We'll get you taken care of. Let's not say anything about this to your dad for now, though. Okay?"

  "If you say so. I don't want to lie to him if he should ask, though."

  "Sammie, I don't know how we raised a child as good as you without the least idea of what we were doing. Or not much, anyway. If he asks, I wouldn't expect you to lie. He probably won't though. Fathers usually would rather remain in the dark rather than ask leading questions."

  "Well, nothing may happen anyway, but if it does it will be my fault. Juan is such a good guy he won't ask."

  ***

  Juan arrived wearing slacks and a shirt with an even tail hanging outside his trousers. It pretty well concealed the fact that he was carrying his pistol in a holster behind his back, just as he had since obtaining his permit. He shook hands with Ronald rather more formally than usual. Elaine gave him a quick hug and invited him to sit down.

  "Dinner will be ready in a few minutes. Would you like something to drink?"
Ronald asked.

  "Whatever you're having. It's a nice evening and I walked so I don't have to worry about driving."

  "We're having some Zinfandel to go with the meal so we went ahead and started with it."

  "That's fine."

  The evening was a success so far as Samantha could tell. She knew her father wasn't concerned with whether or not he could support a family nor whether they were suited for each other. In fact, she realized after only a few minutes that he had no real objection other than her age. She still seemed to be too young to be thinking of marriage in his eyes.

  "Did you know that Juan has learned to talk to animals like I can?" she said during the meal.

  "How on earth did that happen? Could you teach us?" Ronald asked.

  Samantha could see that her new fiance was unsure of how to answer. It wouldn't be polite to say, Sorry but you're not smart enough to learn how.

  She finessed the subject by simply relating how they had figured it out. The explanation included the many ways where their minds and brains shared involved processes that only she and Juan possessed, so far as they knew. "I suppose one day it may be possible to pass on the knowledge, but right now I can't think of a way to do it."

  "Never mind. That was probably a silly question, Juan. I know neither of us are capable and won't be in our lifetimes. I really do hope the two of you can figure out how to talk to that puzzling alien like you can to our furry and feathered cousins, though."

  "We hope so, too. Sheik may turn out to be the key for all we know."

  "I'm the key! I'm the key!" the parrot agreed to another round of laughter.

  "So have you two picked a date yet?" Ronald asked.

  "Dad, we have a date but not exactly. We'd like to be married and have a honeymoon before the alien arrives, though. If the red in the circle keeps progressing at its present rate, that would put it somewhat less than a year from now. We haven't gotten into the matter of where we'll have the ceremony or who will perform it yet. We haven't even looked for rings yet."