Day 7

Kerri-liana Jones went down into the gardens just before sunset. James arrived right behind her. They waited for Natrica. As the sun began to set hundreds of butterflies flew off from the flowers they had been sitting on. White, blue, yellow, multi-colored ones all flying in the air, it was beautiful.

A servant came over and gave them a letter. It was from Natrica.

Let’s get to know each other.

Favorite food

Favorite drink

Favorite animal

Career goals

Family goals

What you thought your life would look like

Allergies

The thing you miss most about earth

Family back home

Dumbest thing you’ve done in front of your crush

That was the letter.

James and Kerri-liana looked at each other. James wanted to know and he thought it would be a great chance to get to know Kerri.

“Is this meant to be an, I’m running late message?” Kerri asked.

“I guess she decided while we wait, we will have something to do.”

Kerri sighed she was feeling awkward around James.

“Let’s sit there”

James suggested pointing to a swing bench. So, they sat.

“Well, I think it would be an interesting pass time. My favorite food is stake, egg and chips.”

“What!” Kerri laughed

“That’s so typical of men. Meat and potatoes.”

“What’s yours?” James asked.

“Alfredo fettuccine”

“My favorite drink is hot chocolate.”

“Irish coffee” Kerri answered.

“Um… I like all animals so having a favorite is hard. Maybe a frog.” James said.

Kerri turned up her nose.

“Dogs”

“Career goals, that’s more difficult. I love what I do. I work with great people; the pay is good. So, I am in my career.” James told Kerri.

“Good for you. I want to lead my own archaeology digs, publish papers on the wonderful things I find. Be the expert in my field, which will be many fields really.”

“Dreaming big, I like it.”

“We are only limited by ourselves.” Kerri said.

“I would like to get married and have two children, a boy and a girl.”

“So, would I, but maybe a third child, I guess I will see.” Kerri said.

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“Well, I thought I would already be married. We would travel together for my work. I imagined it differently. But what I have is good and I am happy.” James told Kerri.

“I thought I would have impressed someone in the archaeology world by now. Never imagined I would travel to another world. I was hoping to have my own car and house. But I’m living in a tent from one dig to the next and I own the bank double what my car is worth.”

“What car do you drive?” James asked.

“An old jeep. Only thing I could afford the payments on while being big enough to carry all my equipment.”

“An old jeep?”

James laughed,

“I was thinking a lady’s car, you know a small run about thing.”

Kerri looked unimpressed.

“How old is the jeep?” he asked.

“If you’re asking if it has a roof, no it doesn’t! Yes, I get rained on.”

James tried not to laugh. But he pictured her driving in the rain, her feet in a puddle of water, her strawberry blond hair stuck to her face and camo clothes. She was doing a Rambo through the jungle and he had to laugh.

“I’m not allergic to anything” he said changing the topic before he started laughing again.

“Neither am I.”

“The thing I miss most about earth is… a razor and coffee. Well maybe food, food here is… questionable.”

Kerri laughed

“Food is a good one. But deodorant is what I miss. I’m always worried I smell.”

“You have a point.” James grinned.

“So, tell me about your family back home?” James asked.

“Well”

Kerri began then stopped

“You go first.”

“If you insist”

“I do” she insisted.

“I am Lakisha’s godfather. When her parents, my brother and his wife were murdered I looked after her. My brother had asked me to be her godfather when she was born so when they died, I did what he asked of me. Ummm… my parents are very formal. Presentation is very important to them.”

He wondered why she was so quiet.

“Ummm... your turn.”

“So how old was Lakisha? And how old are you?”

Kerri asked.

“I am the baby in the family. My parents had me later in life. I am thirty-three, and Lakisha is twenty-three, she was twelve, when they died. The people responsible for killing her parents are locked away for life.”

“Your brother and his wife were murdered?”

“Yes, it was a long time ago, almost twelve years. We have move on.”

“Well, that explains why you two are weird.”

“Pardon, Weird?”

“Yes, but it makes sense now. Before I wondered if you were just a weird family. But seeing you raised her it makes sense you’re so close. It’s a nice thing.”

James wasn’t sure what to say.

“Well, my family is simple. I am an only child. I spend most of my school holidays with my grandparents. My grandfather taught me our special language. Which happens to be the most use language in Chayim. This planet we are on. He used to tell me to imagine, and tell me wonderful, crazy stories. But he passed away. I got his journal which I have been using to get around this world. My gran was more uptight. My parents are cool. But always busy. Always wanted a sister. Ummm... I guess, I had a normal life. Inspired by my granddad to search out hidden treasure. So, I am an archaeologist.”

Kerri looked at James. The family question was a little … uncomfortable.

“Dumb crush things?”

James said moving forward. Everyone has embarrassing stories about things they have done when around someone they have a crush on.

James had plenty stories, like once he gave a girl a frog thinking it was a good idea, a lovely gift. She didn’t like it she screamed and ran away, avoiding him for the next two years.

So, they talked and laughed. But now it was getting dark. A slave lit lanterns, lighting up a path through the garden. There was a small pond at the end of the path.

“Let’s check it out.” James said.

He loved nature. Fortunately, Kerri liked the outdoors too.

So, they walked towards the pond. Once they got there a letter was delivered.

Try to get the red plate out of the water without getting wet.

“What red plate?” Kerri asked.

Then she was a small red plate in the middle of the pond.

“Is she for real?”

James hoped Natrica would never come. Her games or ideas to keep them busy were good. They were talking and laughing and having a good time.

James looked around. There were two round wooden barrels nearby. He also spotted a long stick. His mind ticked as he looked for something, he could use to lift the plate out with. He spotted a rake that might just work. So, he rolled the barrel over and took his rake. He put the barrel into the water and carefully climbed in.

“Are you really going for the plate?” she asked.

“Yes I am.”

At first Kerri wasn’t planning to play. But she was having a good time and she did kind of want to win.

She took the second barrel and rolled it to the water. Then she took the stick. The plate was sitting on a piece of wood weighed down by stones.

If she removed the stones carefully the wood and plate would rise.

So, she carefully climbed into the barrel and bobbed after James, who had quite the head start.

They battled over the plate while trying not to get splashed. The barrels bobbed wildly as they fought with their sticks under the water.

“Let’s do it together.” James finally suggested.

“Ok” Kerri agreed.

So, they worked together to bring the plate to the surface, without getting wet.

Once they got back to shore. A new path lit by lanterns had been made.

James helped Kerri out of her barrel. Getting out was more difficult than getting in. But they managed it without getting wet. Because James was wearing gumboots so he could stand in the water and carry Kerri the last few steps.

She was heavier than expected. But it wasn’t a problem.

“Let’s see where it takes us?” James said looking at the new path to follow.

“I’m bring my plate with.” she said.

So, they followed the path to a table set for two. As they approached slaved brought out food on fancy plates, the cutlery was already on the table with the napkins.

“Wow” Kerri said.

They sat down.

“I guess Natrica isn’t coming.” Kerri stated.

Another letter arrived.

Table traditions

That’s all it said.

“Lakisha and I eat as we go. But in my mother’s house we eat as a family every night. Diner and desert if you finish your diner.”

“Oh, we used to eat as a family every night too. But in front of the TV. We had Sunday lunch at a table.” Kerri said.

They enjoyed their diner which was food they could recognize. They talked and had fun together. It was good. It was simple. James stopped being awkward and tripping over his words.

Another letter arrived.

Hold both hands and tell each other something that is true.

That could have been uncomfortable. But since that date was going well, it was almost welcomed.

James stood up walked over to Kerri held both her hand and said.

“You are and incredible, smart woman.”

Kerri stared wide eyed.

James continued.

“I have been trying to find the right moment to tell you I like you but the timing just hasn’t worked out. So, there you have it.”

Kerri-liana’s mind raced, so did her heart.

“That’s why you’ve been acting so strange. You silly oaf.”

“Oaf? What’s that?”

“Stop talking and just kiss me.”

James didn’t need to be told twice. He kissed her.