Ch4: Stories

"So first we're going to need each other's real names."

"It's hard to tell who goes first."

"How about this, whoever gives their name first, gives their story last."

"Which would you prefer?"

After a brief pause in the conversation, "My name is Sarah. I don't have a last name because I never knew my parents. Now it's your turn." But there was no return engagement. "Hey, what the hell? Tell me your name!"

"It's hard to remember something you've never gone known yourself."

"So you don't have a name?

"I do, I think. And I know it, but it is the only thing that is truly mine. I was orphaned at birth and I never found out the story of my parents. But I do know my mother's name: Jennifer. The orphanage told me my mother's last words."

Eyes wide entranced in his story before it had begun, she asked, "So, what were they?"

He looked up at the blue sky, a cloud drifting by, casting a shadow on the dune directly next to them. He suddenly became aware of his surroundings: the trees, the grass, the insects, and Sarah. Seeing her captivated face, he continued, "Well, they were somewhat odd. There are two versions of it. The first is 'Remember, Edward' and the second is 'Remember Edward'. I have used a wide variety of fake names from Aaven to Zimmer, but I have never used Edward. As far as I know, my mother might have been calling to someone or telling me to remember."

"Remember what?" said Sarah, still entranced with his story.

"That's just it; there is nothing that I am supposed to remember. So I just assume that Edward is my father. That is the one name that I wish never to disrespect."

"So in the meantime, what should I call you, David? Or do you think your name is Edward?"

"We'll see what you will call me. Everyone I've gotten close to has had a different name for me. I regard my true name in context with the people I know." He said, purposely making his last statement as enigmatic as possible.

"So what's your story? Where were you born? When? It's not often that I get to know someone." She said trying to contain her excitement.

"Are you sure you want the whole story? Some of it is quite gruesome." She looked at him, ostracized. Laughing he said, "I'm kidding." She noted that he expressed nervousness with jokes. He took a deep breath, and sighed. "Well here goes. I was born in Southern California-"

"That far away? Wow, I really misjudged you."

"Ya, interrupting really helps." But after seeing her face of distain he quickly said, "Sorry, it's a habit. Anyways, I was born in Southern California, more specifically, San Diego. I grew up around other orphans, just as lonely as I was, but they all knew their names. There was this one kid when I was younger, Terry something. He used to say 'No name. No friends. Wonder why he still wants to live?' I moved from that orphanage to one in L.A. It's not the friendliest place in the world, but at least I was accepted there. Many of the orphans there didn't know their parents at all, as well. I liked it there, but I had to move because some couple decided to take me into foster care, all the way in Sacramento. I had actually made a friend in L.A. I found out recently that he got adopted about 8 years ago to a nice family in Nevada. But anyways, Sacramento is where I started school. From the first day I found it inane. My foster parents it seemed only wanted me for the money. To them I was worth no more then dirt, but the 

pay the reaped from having me was invaluable apparently. Even back then, my mind worked in a political manner. I decided to coerce them into letting me live with a friend of mine and every time there was an inspection, I would go back there. This worked out for a while until there was a surprise inspection; the institution insisted that this family was not worth me because they didn't directly take care of me.

"So I had to move to an orphanage in Phoenix. I was, by far, happiest there. My foster father, Jim McCaman, was a former Navy Seal and was enlisted in the army reserve. He was going to adopt me, but his wife forbade it so I settled for foster child. We used to go on month long trips in the desert. We walked for hours in full silence. He taught me his own brand of martial arts. I would have liked very much to stay, but you know my luck. I was with them for a year when I caught Jim cheating on his wife."

Sarah couldn't help but notice the cut directly under his right ear that stretched down into his shirt. She considered asking but she decided against it. He was pouring out his soul, and if he didn't want to talk about it, that was fine.

"At that point I was sickened with that family and requested a move. The new place I went to was only for about a week, I have forgotten where it was. But in that week, I got a scholarship for a private tutor. I'm still not sure what the scholarship was for, but the tutor was nice. Lindsay, I think. She called me Nikoli. I remember because she helped me get here. I only knew her for a year but she led my interest in physics. Its part of the reason I'm here. Supposedly this is the best school for to help with particle physics.

"So that's my story. Your turn"

"Wow! You've been through a lot. Well, my life is hardly as eventful as yours. Both my parents are dead I'm pretty sure." Tell the truth danmit! "But I still have some hope that they are still alive. My mom disappeared when I was three and I have no pictures of my dad who was killed in an explosion. There was a gas leak in our house when we were four and I was in school. After two years in an orphanage in D.C., I was offered a spot in this school. You see, in order to get out of most taxes, the school does pro bono acceptances. So since then I have isolated myself from everyone fearing that they will go away just like everyone else in my life."

"Well that's plain ridiculous! You've not had a friend in 9 years?" He replied, astonished.

"10 years in a couple of months."

He looked at her. He had not truly looked at her yet. He took in the small ears, the combed sleek hair, her smooth round chin, narrow pink lips, and deep green eyes. At that moment, a watchtower in the distance struck quarter to two.

Smiling mysteriously, she said, "We should go. It's a long walk back." As she got up, she had a puzzled look on her face.

"What's wrong?."

"Do you hear something?"

"No, why?"

"Never mind."