Chapter 6
"Set the table for four people? Who else is coming?" Landon said out loud to himself, and began to get out the plates, and silverware.
At the Sullivan's house, Hegbert answered the door to find a very eager looking Mrs. Carter standing there.
"Hey Hegbert, I was wondering if you and Jamie would like to join Landon and myself for dinner tonight." Mrs. Carter wondered in on breath, out loud.
"I wouldn't want to impose on you." Hegbert told her.
"No, no, no, you wouldn't impose at all. We've got tons of food to feed everyone, and then some." Mrs. Carter laughed.
"Well, eating at your house sounds better than eating at a fast food restaurant downtown." Hegbert told her reluctantly.
"If you'd like to step inside and wait you're welcome to, or if you'd like to go home and wait, we'll be right over." Hegbert told her and went to the edge of the stairs.
When Hegbert reached the edge of the stairs, Mrs. Carter stepped into the house, and closed the front door.
"Jamie?" Hegbert called his daughters name.
"Yes daddy?" Jamie called back from her room.
"We have a little change of plans; we're going over to eat at the Carter's house for dinner. Are you ready to go?" Hegbert yelled to her.
"No, I can be ready in a few minutes, you two go ahead, I'll be over in a few, if that's alright with you and Mrs. Carter." Jamie yelled back at him so he could hear.
"Is that all right Mrs. Carter?" Hegbert asked her in a quiet tone.
"That's fine, and it gives us time to talk about the plan." Mrs. Carter almost whispered.
"Ok, great" Hegbert said, and then began yelling up the stairs. "That's fine Jamie, we're leaving now, hurry and be over soon so we don't leave our hosts waiting."
"Ok Daddy, I'll be over as soon as I can." Jamie yelled back, and began getting ready.
Hegbert and Mrs. Carter left the house and started to walk slowly to her house. After a few steps, Hegbert started to talk, "What do you mean we could talk about the plan?"
"I meant that their getting very close on finding each other out. Landon came home this afternoon, with this stunned look, and he was talking about all those little things Jamie does to remind him of Lizzy. And I wish they realized that what they called each other were their middle names, and not real names." Mrs. Carter talked slowly, and loudly at the same time.
"Oh yes, I forgot they called each other Lizzy, and Larc. Why was it Larc? Lizzy comes from Elizabeth, that's Jamie's middle name, but I forgot where Larc came from.
"Well to be honest I'm not sure, they just did I guess, but I think that La is from Landon, the R is for Rollins, his middle name, and the C for Carter, and they wanted similar names, I guess."
"Oh, that makes sense." Hegbert replied. "Do you think we should give them another push to finding each other out, or a hint, or something to help them?"
"Yeah, they are so close. Landon thinks he's losing his mind over this and how she reminds him of Lizzy." Mrs. Carter blurted out.
"Jamie hasn't said anything to me, yet. But I haven't talked to her since this afternoon when she arrived home." Hegbert frowned on that. Usually Jamie did talk to him, all the time.
When Hegbert and Mrs. Carter arrived to her house, she opened the door, and led the way to the dining room where they would be eating.
"Landon, go a head and put some of the food on the table while I finish with the desert." Mrs. Carter said.
"Okay, momma. I will in a second." Landon replied, going to the adjoining kitchen to get the food
"Oh, Landon, let me help you with that..." Mrs. Carter said, taking some of the food.
Two more trips back to the kitchen and all the food was on the table.
"Good evening Landon," Hegbert said, extending his hand for Landon to shake.
"Good evening Reverend." Landon replied, taking his hand and shaking it for a brief second.
When Landon was bringing his hand back down to his side, the doorbell rang, and Landon was asked to answer the door by his mother. Walking rather quickly, Landon was quite anxious to see who was there.
"Landon, hi!" Jamie said politely as he opened the door.
Hi, uh Jamie. Come on in." Landon offered Jamie as he swung the door open for her.
Landon's jaw dropped as she walked past him, and into the house. 'Wow Jamie looks beautiful, no, wait, you can't think of Jamie like that' Landon thought to himself.
Jamie was wearing a pink sweater, and a baby blue skirt, with her hair down. She wore only a touch of make up, just enough to soften her already beautiful features.
"Hello Daddy, Mrs. Carter." Jamie said, smiling at the three who were in the room.
"Hey Jamie," Mrs. Carter, and Hegbert said at the same time.
"Alright guys, lets eat," Mrs. Carter said, already sitting down beside Hegbert, another part of their brilliant plan.
Jamie sat down in a seat next to her father, and Landon sat down in the only empty seat, next to Jamie, and his mother.
"Reverend, will you say grace?" Mrs. Carter asked.
"Sure of course." He said, taking Mrs. Carter's hand.
Mrs. Carter took Landon's hand, Landon took Jamie's hand, and Jamie took her father's hand as they began to pray.
During the prayer Jamie couldn't help but think, 'I like the way Landon's hand feels in mine,'
When the prayer was over, they began to eat.
"So Cynthia, next Sunday I hope that you and Landon can make it out to the church, I'm going to be introduced by Father Smiling, and then I will conduct the service," Hegbert said.
"Yes I'm sure we will. We don't really have a current church right now anyway. I hope that yours can be," Mrs. Carter replied.
Hegbert smiled, "Yes, it can. We always love new members. Isn't that right Jamie?"
"Yes daddy! " Jamie replied.
'Why does she always say daddy, it sounds so childish for a girl her age, although, it's cute.' Landon thought silently to himself as he began playing with the food sitting in front of him.
"Jamie is in the choir, she'll be joining Beaufort's church choir on Sunday. My little Jamie sings like an angel," Hegbert said, beaming at Jamie.
'Yeah she does Reverend. Like a perfect angel. Damn Landon, your obsessing over her.' Landon thought quietly to himself.
'Oh my gosh, did he just actually say that!' Jamie thought to herself, very embarrassed, and turning slightly pink.
"Oh, I'm sure she does." Mrs. Carter replied, also beaming at her.
'Ah Jamie, might as well get used to the embarrassment from these two right now anyways. My mom is big on embarrassing, and boasting.' Landon thought quietly to himself, and almost said it out loud.
Jamie glanced over at Landon, who was playing with his food. Landon looked up at Jamie, returned the glance with a smile, and began to look down at his food.
'She's so beautiful, just shut up Landon, you're obsessing over her again' Landon thought to himself.
"So Landon, are you planning on playing any sports this year?" Hegbert asked.
"Uh no sir. I don't think I am." Landon replied.
"Jamie, I heard that your quite the actress, are you going to be in the school plays or community plays around here?" Cynthia (Landon's mom) asked her.
"Well, I have drama for an elective, and I'm going to be trying out, so I hope to make it in the play." Jamie beamed at the two parents. "Actually, I'd probably have to use my American accent when I'm trying out because I heard from Sally that the play is an American one."
"Jamie, you are American, you just grew up in England." Hegbert reminded Jamie.
"I know, but I have an English accent, you don't daddy." Jamie smiled at her dad.
'Jamie's American? How come I didn't know that.' Landon thought quietly to himself before saying anything.
"Your American?" Landon asked trying to sound cool.
"Yea, I was born here, and then moved to England when I was really young." Jamie focused her attention on Landon.
"Oh, you have such a strong accent." Landon said to her, 'but it's damn sexy' he said to himself. "Can you do an American accent?" Landon asked her.
"Yes, of course I can." Jamie told him in an American accent.
"Oh, you sound southern." Landon asked, but made it more of a point than a question.
"I was born in the south Landon." Jamie told him.
When Landon was about to ask where in the south, Jamie's attention was focused back on her fathers and Mrs. Carters, who were in their own deep conversation.
"The plays here are always huge hits. The Beaufort Playhouse always is sold out." Cynthia spoke to the Hegbert, but Jamie was also listening.
"I'm sure it is! Do you know when the auditions are for the play Jamie?" Hegbert asked, focusing his attention on Jamie.
"I think there during the second week of school, I already know what the dialogue is that we're supposed to learn to audition." Jamie told everyone at the table.
"Oh you do? That's great Jamie! Landon, have you learned the dialogue yet?" Mrs. Carter asked Landon through bites of her dinner.
Everyone's eyes were on Landon when he looked up at the mention of his name.
'Landon is in drama? How come I didn't know this?' Jamie thought to herself, as she waited for Landon's answer to his mother.
"Uhhh, how did you know I was in drama? I didn't tell you." Landon seemed a little angry.
"Oh, your principal showed me your schedule dear." Mrs. Carter smiled at Landon.
"Okay," Landon began, took a bite of his food, and continued, "No, I haven't learned my dialogue, I've barely looked at it yet."
After everyone finished their meals, Mrs. Carter began to take everyone's plates to the kitchen, until Hegbert decided to help her.
"You seem like something is on your mind." Jamie told Landon when they were alone.
"Well, there's nothing on my mind right now." Landon lied to Jamie, in a somewhat angry voice. Landon lied to Jamie, but in his mind he was thinking 'No, wait, that's wrong, I'd like to tell you how much you remind me of Lizzy, how beautiful you look, and tell you that we have so much in common, but you're the ministers daughter, and I'm the bad boy punk.'
"Well, then I'm sorry I upset you." Jamie almost whispered back to him, and began lightly tugging at her somewhat curly hair.
"You didn't upset me, you just," Landon began bluntly but was cut off by his mother, and Hegbert bringing in the desert.
"I hope you still have room left after dinner. There is a ton of deserts here." Mrs. Carter spoke to Jamie and Landon.
"Nah I'm full momma." Landon said.
"Well what about you Jamie?" Mrs. Carter asked.
"No Mrs. Carter. I'm full also. But I did enjoy your supper very much." Jamie said, smiling at Mrs. Carter.
Mrs. Carter smiled back, "Thank you Jamie. Landon, why don't you go show Jamie the garden or maybe the ports while the Reverend and I finish eating."
Landon sighed, "Alright momma, come on Jamie."
Jamie followed Landon out the back door, that lead to a deck.
The deck was surrounded by beautiful wild flowers. The deck had a perfect view of the harbor.
Jamie was in awe, "Wow Landon, it's so beautiful out here."
"Yeah, it's nice." Landon replied.
They started to walk around the garden looking at the assortment of flowers.
"So, Landon do you think you're going to try out for the play?" Jamie asked.
"Yeah, I have to be in it. Momma said that it would be a good idea to get extra credit. She said it would also look better on a college application. Are you?" Landon replied.
"Yes, I am. I've always loved plays, especially acting in them." Jamie said.
"Yeah I guess." Landon said.
"So, um do you think you might need help with your lines? Because if you do I could help you," Jamie said, hopefully.
"Set the table for four people? Who else is coming?" Landon said out loud to himself, and began to get out the plates, and silverware.
At the Sullivan's house, Hegbert answered the door to find a very eager looking Mrs. Carter standing there.
"Hey Hegbert, I was wondering if you and Jamie would like to join Landon and myself for dinner tonight." Mrs. Carter wondered in on breath, out loud.
"I wouldn't want to impose on you." Hegbert told her.
"No, no, no, you wouldn't impose at all. We've got tons of food to feed everyone, and then some." Mrs. Carter laughed.
"Well, eating at your house sounds better than eating at a fast food restaurant downtown." Hegbert told her reluctantly.
"If you'd like to step inside and wait you're welcome to, or if you'd like to go home and wait, we'll be right over." Hegbert told her and went to the edge of the stairs.
When Hegbert reached the edge of the stairs, Mrs. Carter stepped into the house, and closed the front door.
"Jamie?" Hegbert called his daughters name.
"Yes daddy?" Jamie called back from her room.
"We have a little change of plans; we're going over to eat at the Carter's house for dinner. Are you ready to go?" Hegbert yelled to her.
"No, I can be ready in a few minutes, you two go ahead, I'll be over in a few, if that's alright with you and Mrs. Carter." Jamie yelled back at him so he could hear.
"Is that all right Mrs. Carter?" Hegbert asked her in a quiet tone.
"That's fine, and it gives us time to talk about the plan." Mrs. Carter almost whispered.
"Ok, great" Hegbert said, and then began yelling up the stairs. "That's fine Jamie, we're leaving now, hurry and be over soon so we don't leave our hosts waiting."
"Ok Daddy, I'll be over as soon as I can." Jamie yelled back, and began getting ready.
Hegbert and Mrs. Carter left the house and started to walk slowly to her house. After a few steps, Hegbert started to talk, "What do you mean we could talk about the plan?"
"I meant that their getting very close on finding each other out. Landon came home this afternoon, with this stunned look, and he was talking about all those little things Jamie does to remind him of Lizzy. And I wish they realized that what they called each other were their middle names, and not real names." Mrs. Carter talked slowly, and loudly at the same time.
"Oh yes, I forgot they called each other Lizzy, and Larc. Why was it Larc? Lizzy comes from Elizabeth, that's Jamie's middle name, but I forgot where Larc came from.
"Well to be honest I'm not sure, they just did I guess, but I think that La is from Landon, the R is for Rollins, his middle name, and the C for Carter, and they wanted similar names, I guess."
"Oh, that makes sense." Hegbert replied. "Do you think we should give them another push to finding each other out, or a hint, or something to help them?"
"Yeah, they are so close. Landon thinks he's losing his mind over this and how she reminds him of Lizzy." Mrs. Carter blurted out.
"Jamie hasn't said anything to me, yet. But I haven't talked to her since this afternoon when she arrived home." Hegbert frowned on that. Usually Jamie did talk to him, all the time.
When Hegbert and Mrs. Carter arrived to her house, she opened the door, and led the way to the dining room where they would be eating.
"Landon, go a head and put some of the food on the table while I finish with the desert." Mrs. Carter said.
"Okay, momma. I will in a second." Landon replied, going to the adjoining kitchen to get the food
"Oh, Landon, let me help you with that..." Mrs. Carter said, taking some of the food.
Two more trips back to the kitchen and all the food was on the table.
"Good evening Landon," Hegbert said, extending his hand for Landon to shake.
"Good evening Reverend." Landon replied, taking his hand and shaking it for a brief second.
When Landon was bringing his hand back down to his side, the doorbell rang, and Landon was asked to answer the door by his mother. Walking rather quickly, Landon was quite anxious to see who was there.
"Landon, hi!" Jamie said politely as he opened the door.
Hi, uh Jamie. Come on in." Landon offered Jamie as he swung the door open for her.
Landon's jaw dropped as she walked past him, and into the house. 'Wow Jamie looks beautiful, no, wait, you can't think of Jamie like that' Landon thought to himself.
Jamie was wearing a pink sweater, and a baby blue skirt, with her hair down. She wore only a touch of make up, just enough to soften her already beautiful features.
"Hello Daddy, Mrs. Carter." Jamie said, smiling at the three who were in the room.
"Hey Jamie," Mrs. Carter, and Hegbert said at the same time.
"Alright guys, lets eat," Mrs. Carter said, already sitting down beside Hegbert, another part of their brilliant plan.
Jamie sat down in a seat next to her father, and Landon sat down in the only empty seat, next to Jamie, and his mother.
"Reverend, will you say grace?" Mrs. Carter asked.
"Sure of course." He said, taking Mrs. Carter's hand.
Mrs. Carter took Landon's hand, Landon took Jamie's hand, and Jamie took her father's hand as they began to pray.
During the prayer Jamie couldn't help but think, 'I like the way Landon's hand feels in mine,'
When the prayer was over, they began to eat.
"So Cynthia, next Sunday I hope that you and Landon can make it out to the church, I'm going to be introduced by Father Smiling, and then I will conduct the service," Hegbert said.
"Yes I'm sure we will. We don't really have a current church right now anyway. I hope that yours can be," Mrs. Carter replied.
Hegbert smiled, "Yes, it can. We always love new members. Isn't that right Jamie?"
"Yes daddy! " Jamie replied.
'Why does she always say daddy, it sounds so childish for a girl her age, although, it's cute.' Landon thought silently to himself as he began playing with the food sitting in front of him.
"Jamie is in the choir, she'll be joining Beaufort's church choir on Sunday. My little Jamie sings like an angel," Hegbert said, beaming at Jamie.
'Yeah she does Reverend. Like a perfect angel. Damn Landon, your obsessing over her.' Landon thought quietly to himself.
'Oh my gosh, did he just actually say that!' Jamie thought to herself, very embarrassed, and turning slightly pink.
"Oh, I'm sure she does." Mrs. Carter replied, also beaming at her.
'Ah Jamie, might as well get used to the embarrassment from these two right now anyways. My mom is big on embarrassing, and boasting.' Landon thought quietly to himself, and almost said it out loud.
Jamie glanced over at Landon, who was playing with his food. Landon looked up at Jamie, returned the glance with a smile, and began to look down at his food.
'She's so beautiful, just shut up Landon, you're obsessing over her again' Landon thought to himself.
"So Landon, are you planning on playing any sports this year?" Hegbert asked.
"Uh no sir. I don't think I am." Landon replied.
"Jamie, I heard that your quite the actress, are you going to be in the school plays or community plays around here?" Cynthia (Landon's mom) asked her.
"Well, I have drama for an elective, and I'm going to be trying out, so I hope to make it in the play." Jamie beamed at the two parents. "Actually, I'd probably have to use my American accent when I'm trying out because I heard from Sally that the play is an American one."
"Jamie, you are American, you just grew up in England." Hegbert reminded Jamie.
"I know, but I have an English accent, you don't daddy." Jamie smiled at her dad.
'Jamie's American? How come I didn't know that.' Landon thought quietly to himself before saying anything.
"Your American?" Landon asked trying to sound cool.
"Yea, I was born here, and then moved to England when I was really young." Jamie focused her attention on Landon.
"Oh, you have such a strong accent." Landon said to her, 'but it's damn sexy' he said to himself. "Can you do an American accent?" Landon asked her.
"Yes, of course I can." Jamie told him in an American accent.
"Oh, you sound southern." Landon asked, but made it more of a point than a question.
"I was born in the south Landon." Jamie told him.
When Landon was about to ask where in the south, Jamie's attention was focused back on her fathers and Mrs. Carters, who were in their own deep conversation.
"The plays here are always huge hits. The Beaufort Playhouse always is sold out." Cynthia spoke to the Hegbert, but Jamie was also listening.
"I'm sure it is! Do you know when the auditions are for the play Jamie?" Hegbert asked, focusing his attention on Jamie.
"I think there during the second week of school, I already know what the dialogue is that we're supposed to learn to audition." Jamie told everyone at the table.
"Oh you do? That's great Jamie! Landon, have you learned the dialogue yet?" Mrs. Carter asked Landon through bites of her dinner.
Everyone's eyes were on Landon when he looked up at the mention of his name.
'Landon is in drama? How come I didn't know this?' Jamie thought to herself, as she waited for Landon's answer to his mother.
"Uhhh, how did you know I was in drama? I didn't tell you." Landon seemed a little angry.
"Oh, your principal showed me your schedule dear." Mrs. Carter smiled at Landon.
"Okay," Landon began, took a bite of his food, and continued, "No, I haven't learned my dialogue, I've barely looked at it yet."
After everyone finished their meals, Mrs. Carter began to take everyone's plates to the kitchen, until Hegbert decided to help her.
"You seem like something is on your mind." Jamie told Landon when they were alone.
"Well, there's nothing on my mind right now." Landon lied to Jamie, in a somewhat angry voice. Landon lied to Jamie, but in his mind he was thinking 'No, wait, that's wrong, I'd like to tell you how much you remind me of Lizzy, how beautiful you look, and tell you that we have so much in common, but you're the ministers daughter, and I'm the bad boy punk.'
"Well, then I'm sorry I upset you." Jamie almost whispered back to him, and began lightly tugging at her somewhat curly hair.
"You didn't upset me, you just," Landon began bluntly but was cut off by his mother, and Hegbert bringing in the desert.
"I hope you still have room left after dinner. There is a ton of deserts here." Mrs. Carter spoke to Jamie and Landon.
"Nah I'm full momma." Landon said.
"Well what about you Jamie?" Mrs. Carter asked.
"No Mrs. Carter. I'm full also. But I did enjoy your supper very much." Jamie said, smiling at Mrs. Carter.
Mrs. Carter smiled back, "Thank you Jamie. Landon, why don't you go show Jamie the garden or maybe the ports while the Reverend and I finish eating."
Landon sighed, "Alright momma, come on Jamie."
Jamie followed Landon out the back door, that lead to a deck.
The deck was surrounded by beautiful wild flowers. The deck had a perfect view of the harbor.
Jamie was in awe, "Wow Landon, it's so beautiful out here."
"Yeah, it's nice." Landon replied.
They started to walk around the garden looking at the assortment of flowers.
"So, Landon do you think you're going to try out for the play?" Jamie asked.
"Yeah, I have to be in it. Momma said that it would be a good idea to get extra credit. She said it would also look better on a college application. Are you?" Landon replied.
"Yes, I am. I've always loved plays, especially acting in them." Jamie said.
"Yeah I guess." Landon said.
"So, um do you think you might need help with your lines? Because if you do I could help you," Jamie said, hopefully.