Calvin’s mother brought a large pot over to the table while the rest of the family took their seats. I sat next to Calvin. As comfortable as I was in his home, it felt foreign to be sitting at someone else’s table.
“So Charlotte, Calvin tells us that you are from a place called Charleston?” his father asked politely.
“Yes, sir. It’s not too far from here.” I hoped he didn’t ask me to give more details.
“Calvin said your home is behind the old gate. Has your family lived there long?”
“Well, the house has been in my father’s family forever, and I grew up there, but I went away for a few years and just returned.” I hoped he wouldn’t ask me where I was in the interim because, if they hadn’t heard of Charleston, I doubted they had heard of Fairbanks, Alaska.
Mrs. Boyd served bowls of a warm, hearty stew. The stew was delicious and reminded me of how long it had been since I had eaten a real home-cooked meal. My dad and Monty both tried, but they were too busy to do it all. We ate in silence for a few minutes, which was a relief because it meant that they wouldn’t ask me too many more questions about where I was from. Calvin looked over at me a few times with a smile, and I nervously smiled back. After lunch, Mrs. Boyd cleared the table, and then came back to sit down.
When Mrs. Boyd was seated, I noticed that she was eyeing my necklace. I had been so distracted by seeing Calvin that I had forgotten to tuck it under my dress. “What a beautiful necklace, Charlotte,” Mrs. Boyd said graciously.
“Oh, thank you. It was my mother’s.”
“Well, how nice of your mother to give you such a beautiful piece of jewelry.”
I wasn’t sure if it was appropriate to correct her, but I decided that if Calvin and I were really getting serious, they should at least know that my mother had died. “Actually, my mother died almost five years ago. I found this in her old jewelry box,” I said softly. Calvin immediately looked over at me with kindness in his eyes. He found my hand under the table and squeezed it.
“Oh, I am sorry. It must be so difficult for you as a young woman without a mother,” Mrs. Boyd said. “Are you named after your mother?”
“No,” I answered, surprised that she would think that. “My mother’s name was Emma.” Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Mr. and Mrs. Boyd exchanging pointed glances.
“Has your father remarried?” Mr. Boyd asked.
“No. I really don’t think he’s over my mother yet, and besides, I think he’s too busy with work. That’s why I’m back in Charleston. He sent my older brother and me to live with our uncle Monty, back home.” I bit my lip, mad at myself for saying too much. I noticed the Boyds exchanging glances again. A simple no would have sufficed, now I was opening myself up to more questions.
I was right about the questions. They asked me about Kevin and Monty, whether they were married and what their professions were. I think the Boyds were surprised when I told them that Kevin was a student and Monty a teacher. They also asked about Dad; I kept it simple and told them that he studied rocks because I had a feeling they wouldn’t know what a geologist was.
Eventually, Calvin made a motion to stand up, so I followed. I thanked his mother for the wonderful lunch and told them I was glad to have met them. The whole family walked us outside and told me that they enjoyed meeting me and looked forward to seeing me again soon. Calvin excused himself for a moment to talk to his parents privately, leaving me with his younger siblings. I talked with his sister while I waited nervously for Calvin to return, assuming that they were talking about me. Calvin came back over to me smiling brightly. We said goodbye to his brothers and sister before we walked back through the village and into the forest. He led me deeper into the forest until we came to an absolutely stunning waterfall.
“This is my favorite place; I just wanted to share it with you,” Calvin said as, still holding hands, we sat down in the soft grass. He never seemed able to fully let go of me when we were together, as though he feared I would disappear if we lost physical contact. I could tell that it took effort for him to keep his distance while we were at his house.
I dipped my free hand into the water and moved it gently back and forth. As I watched, the water seemed to change color slightly, and it warmed until it became almost hot. I removed my hand quickly.
“I hope I made a good impression,” I said.
“Of course you did, Charlotte. They thought you were sweet, beautiful, and absolutely perfect for me.” While he talked, he absently played with my hair, which I had left down, remembering he liked it better that way.
“You’re not just saying that?” It was strange. I was so sure of how Calvin felt about me, but I really didn’t know if his parents had just been being nice.
“How could they not love you when you make me this happy?” Calvin smiled. I leaned against him instead of answering. As I listened to Calvin, I noticed a gray cat stopping to look at us intently, studying us. Then, as though it had caught me looking, it darted away. I didn’t think I would ever get used to the nuances of this place.
Calvin shifted so that he could look directly into my eyes. “I know that I should have asked this before I ever thought to kiss you, but I hope that you are not promised to anyone.” He looked nervous.
“Promised? Wait, like engaged?” I asked, surprised.
He looked at me with concern. “Yes.”
“Of course not, I’m not even sixteen yet.”
Calvin sighed with relief. “I assumed, but I didn’t know. So you are fifteen?”
“Yes, but I’ll be sixteen next week.” I hoped that he didn’t think I was too young for him, since he looked at least seventeen.
“You said earlier that you do not live with your father, but have you sent word to him about me?” Calvin asked.
“No,” I said sheepishly. I realized that it probably sounded bad, considering he had already brought me to meet his parents.
“But you have told your uncle, your brother?”
“No,” I admitted, feeling worse.
“But Charlotte, I thought you wanted to be with me.” Calvin looked upset.
“Of course I want to be with you, but I didn’t know how to tell them, or even what to tell them.”
“Oh, I guess I did not make you a promise, did I?” He looked embarrassed as he pulled a black rock out of his pocket. “Do you know what this is?” he asked, placing the stone in the palm of my hand.