Chapter 6

After telling Dorkus about his wife the three friends went on a new adventure involving Aseefa, a secret cave, and the magic of algebra. They were walking home, Doppy had already gone home. It had been a couple of days since they last talked to Dorkus and Sheen was getting curious once again.

"We should go and visit Dorkus!"

"We should respect their privacy and leave them alone."

"Oh, come on Nesmith, what's the harm in asking to visit? They could probably use the company." Nesmith thought to himself, 'If I was reunited with my wife, I would not want company' but held the thought back. They hadn't seen Dorkus or Charlotte come out of their house since she was released from the hospital. There was no arguing with Sheen, and what really was the harm in asking for a visit? So they started on their way to Dorkus' house.

"You have to eat something, love."

"I know."

Dorkus was trying to coax her into eating the soup that he prepared. It wasn't much. Her stomach had shrunk and it was painful to eat anything. "Please, for me?"

Charlotte's cheeks flushed a deep purple and she said,"...only if you kiss me." She tilted her face up expectantly. He leaned down, their noses rubbed together as the door bell rang." Who could that be? You eat. I'll get the door."

He made his way to the door and opened it. "Hello?"

"Hello Dorkus, Sheen and I were wondering if you and Mrs. Aurelius would like to come over for tea?"

"No, Charlotte needs all the rest she can get."

A voice like tinkling bells came from inside the house. "Who's at the door?"

"Don't worry about it." Soft footsteps were making their way towards the front door.

"Charlotte you need t-" before he could finish, she was by his side. He put his arm around her. She smiled politely and said hello. "Hello, Mrs. Aurelius, my name is Nesmith and this is Sheen. We were wondering if the two of you would like to come over for tea?" Nesmith knew it was impolite to stare but her eyes were like deep, cloudy, vacant wells; they were hypnotizing. It seemed like she was starring into space or right through them. Don't get him wrong he thought she was a very attractive young woman with her long brown hair and fair skin, her long sleeved, grey dress matched her eyes perfectly and showed off her thin frame. He wondered if the color was coincidence or if Dorkus had picked it out himself. She only came up to her husband's shoulders.

"That sounds lovely, what time should we come over?"

"Do you think that's a good idea, love?"

"Yes, it will be good to get out of the house."

"How about in an hour?"

"That sounds wonderful, we will see you in an hour."

"Alright see you then."

Dorkus closed the door.

Nesmith was surprised that Sheen hadn't said anything the whole time but as soon as they were out of ear shot he spoke up.

"She seems nice, I wonder why she would settle for a guy like Dorkus, I mean I understand she can't see how creepy he looks but he's always a grump."

"You know what they say, 'love works in mysterious ways."

They arrived at their house. Nesmith started to boil water on the stove and put cookies in the oven. "Can I lick the spoon?"

"I suppose." He handed Sheen the spoon and the boy ate cookie dough like he had never eaten before. "It will be so nice having people over for tea, it's been so long since I've had an intellectual,(sheen looked at him) I mean grown up conversation."

"Nesmith what does intellectual mean?"

Nesmith ignored the question. "Remember Sheen, they are our guests so be polite and don't ask any personal questions...are you listening to me?"

"Of course, don't worry about it."

"Why don't you get cleaned up?"

"Are you implying that I am not clean?"

He sighed,"yes"

After Sheen was cleaned up, the cookies and the tea were set on a coffee table in the living, and the furniture was moved so two couches were facing each other with the coffee table in the middle of them, the door bell rang.

"Oh good they're here." He walked to the door and opened it. Dorkus and Charlotte were standing on the porch arm in arm.

"Please come in."

"Why, thank you."

Dorkus lead his wife to one of the love seats and sat down. He put an arm around her midsection protectively.

"It smells lovely, what kind of tea have you prepared for us Mr. Nesmith?"

"Its chamomile Charlotte, can I call you Charlotte?"

"Please call me Charlie. Dorkus is the only one who insists on calling me Charlotte."

"Why would you want to shorten a name that beautiful?"

Charlotte blushed at the compliment while Nesmith pored the tea into the four tea cups on the table. Nesmith instantaneously, mentally slapped himself for being ignorant of Charlie's condition and not telling her exactly where the cup was or directly handing it to her, he was about to open his mouth to speak but Charlie said "Thank you." and found the tea cup on the table without much trouble and carefully picked it up and sipped the tea.

"Would either of you like a cookie? They're fresh out of the oven."

Sheen jumped into the conversation, "I helped!"

Charlotte looked surprised, "Oh you've been so quiet Sheen I forgot you were there, please forgive me."

"Don't worry about it, it's not like you could see me or anything."

Both Nesmith and Dorkus gave him glares, but Charlie just giggled. "You're quit right."

"So you want to try one of my cookies? They're raisin, I didn't want to make raisin but Nesmith insisted, said they were more sophisticated or whatever, I wanted to make oatmeal."

Charlotte said, "No that's all right, I'm not hungry." Dorkus gave her a worried look, she hadn't eaten anything all day except half the soup he made, that shouldn't have filled her up.

Sheen was building up his bravery for the question he wanted to ask.

"Hey Charlie?"

"Yes, Sheen?"

"I have a question for you." Nesmith gave him a warning look.

"Go ahead."

"How did you and Dorkus meet?"

Nesmith stepped in, "you don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"Nonsense, I'll tell you, but it's a long story." She grabbed Dorkus' hand. "We met at school."

And with this we are transported into a flash back.