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Thank you to "I" without whom, the typo queen would have out done herself.
CHAPTER 4
And now we're grown up orphans
That never knew their names
We don't belong to no one
That's a shame
But if you could hide beside me
Maybe for a while
And I won't tell no one your name
“Name” Goo Goo Dolls
They stood looking out at the ocean and the beautiful beach below them.
Parker had insisted that, after her small meal of broth and tea, Jarod show her the house before he plopped her down someplace and took off to investigate the island again. With her good arm through his they had slowly walked around through the rooms, the Pretender happily pointing out those he found the most interesting. In the library he showed her the map of the island and, once again, assured her that the Centre would not find them. In the kitchen, he did his best to wipe away the mess he’d made while preparing her lunch and she pretended not to notice. In the living room, he tried to lead her to the soft recliner, but Miss Parker had no intention of resting.
“Parker, your body has been through a lot. You need to give it time to recuperate.”
“You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” she smiled taking in the scenery as she stepped on to the screened porch. She paused long enough to take a deep breath of sea air then glanced at him. “I’m not tired and I want to see what has you so enthralled you forgot about me and manage to get your face all sunburned. Now, either you can continue to be my guide on this little tour, or I can go alone. Your choice, Jarod.”
With a heavy sigh, Jarod nodded and took her arm. He knew she would have preferred being alone, but he was not willing to put her health at risk. Besides he intended to use their time together to his advantage.
Jarod wanted to get to know the adult Miss Parker as well as he thought he knew the young girl that became his first friend. In addition, he hoped she would come to know the adult he’d become and realize that as much as he and she were different, they are the same. As Maslow put it, they were missing the same tendencies toward becoming self –actualizing people, people who have yet to reach their fullest potential. Together they could together fix that.
The thought haunted him. Though they both had pretender abilities, and could become anything they wanted, yet neither of them was even close to becoming the self-actualizing people of Maslow’s theory. In Jarod’s mind they were capable of reaching that apex together.
At the sound of an approaching aircraft Parker felt her heart clench. She felt naked without her Smith and Wesson. Hell, considering all she was wearing was the robe Jarod had brought, she was naked. Jarod felt her tense and instinctively understood her impulse to take cover. Tightening his hold on her, he slowly backed under the eves of the house as they watched the plane circle around the pier below.
They watched the seaplane land Jarod murmured, “ It’s okay. Looks like Dad borrowed the Colonel’s plane.”
Parker let out the breath she was holding and, for a split second dropped her eyes to his hand. She hadn’t realized how tight her grip had been on his until she felt his other hand softly wrap around hers.
“A little something you failed to mention there Jarod. Colonel who?” She snapped. “You are going to talk to me about this set up aren’t you? If I’m going to trust you…”
“My, someone is getting tired,” he smirked, quickly adding, “Relax. First, let me get you back into the house. Once you’re comfortable, I’ll help them unload, and I promise, I will tell you everything you want to know.”
He guided her back into the living room at a slow pace. When he had her in her seat with another cushion behind her lower back to take as much pressure from the shoulders as possible, Jarod left in search of his father.
Jarod met the Major and Gemini as they were coming up the stone stairs, their arms loaded with packages, “Son, there are several more bags and a few large boxes to be brought up, grab what you can.”
The plane was finally unloaded and boxes and bags sorted, when Jarod noticed his father quietly standing and overtly listening to the conversation in the living area. Moving beside the older man, Jarod stage whispered, “Miss Parker will have you castrated for eavesdropping.”
The major silently laughed, “I imagine she’d threaten to, but something tells me she has that bark down to a science. Listen to the way she talks with young Gemini.”
They both stood for a bit listening to the conversation in the next room.
“I see you are off the IVs so you must be feeling better Miss Parker?”
“Well I did have to threaten Jarod that I’d throw all his Pez containers and sugary treats into the ocean if he didn’t unleash me.”
She smiled at the young man; there was something about this boy that truly touched her. Talking with him, one on one, made her feel like second chances weren’t all that far out of reach.
“Pez?” An all too familiar tilt of the head and the brown inquisitive eyes sparked a memory of Jarod and his introduction to Cracker Jack.
“Sometime you’ll have to ask Jarod about his collection. It’s an obsession he has developed with a candy dispenser. He goes nowhere without them.”
Parker found herself gazing at the boy with such fondness that brought out a protective streak she had only felt toward Debbie Broots.
“Sit down and talk with me for a bit. I haven’t had anyone to talk to today.
“You have been with Jarod all day, haven’t you?” he asked, moving to the chair beside her.
“She smiled. “Yes, but we argue more than we talk.”
“Oh.” He glanced nervously toward the door then sheepishly asked, “What do you want to talk about?”
Miss Parker shrugged. “Jarod mentioned that you were considering a name change. Have you given more thought to what you would like to be called?”
“I have a name. Gemini, it is what I’ve been called all my life.”
“It is the name the Centre gave you. As a young man you will find that there are names that fit perfectly to it’s owner, and there are names that have no meaning to the one called it.”
Parker thought a moment, as she watched the intentness of his gaze. He was listening closely as he tried to make sense of what she was saying.
“Take Jarod for instance. His parents gave him the name ‘Jarod’ at birth before he was taken by the Centre. It held the promise of a family for him, the promise that there are people who love him.” She waited a moment, letting her words sink in before taking the boy’s hand. “Jarod didn’t know his last name until just recently. During his pretends he always used his first name, and made up a second name. He owned that name. No matter what anyone called him, no matter where he went he was Jarod.”
“I have always been Gemini. I don’t know any other name to be called.” His frown spoke of indecision; “I don’t understand why I can’t be Gemini now.”
“I suppose if you feel so strongly about keeping it, you should do so,” she signed, finding herself drawn to this young man. He may be a genius, but like his predecessor he had trouble dealing with some of the worldly abstracts in life. Talking with him, and seeing the earnest look in his eyes as he fought to understand the concept of society brought back so many memories of her time with a young Jarod. “But you are not personified by the Centre any longer. You are not one of their projects. You are a free moral agent.”
“So is Miss Parker your Centre personification or the name your mother gave you?” The deep dark eyes were seeking the truth. He was trying to gain an understanding
Parker felt her stomach tightened. She knew she would have decisions to make, but it was just this morning that she started down that road. Now facing this boy who had also spent most of his youth living under Raines thumb; she realized she needed to take a first step.
“Miss Parker is the name my father wanted me to use. It was the Centre’s leash on me, also my father’s name. My first name was given to my by someone who loved me. I held, err… I have been holding it close to my heart. I guess it is my way of owning it,” she admitted. “I have only trusted that name to one other person. I gave it to him to hold on for me, in case I ever got lost.”
“I think I understand. But you are not at the Centre now, you are with us. Could you tell me your name?”
She was so lost in her memory of whispering that name into a young Jarod’s ear that she was startled to find the mirror image of him sitting close to her. Suddenly, Parker was having trouble distinguishing the past from the present. Was she with the young Jarod or the clone. She shook her head, as though to clear it.
Must be the damn drugs Jarod’s been feeding me.
She took a deep breath. Her instincts told her to divulge her secret now, just as they directed her so many years ago, The clone was sitting on her left. She leaned over and whispered the name her mother had given her- the full name not the nickname she came to revere over the years.
After whispering into his ear she sat up and watched the smile on his face. It was the same smile she had seen the first time she gave her secret away.
“What does it mean, it sounds so lyrical it must have a meaning.”
“It means ‘happiness’. My mother told me she chose it for me because I brought so much of it into her life.”
“I would like a name that had a special meaning”, he murmured dejectedly. “I’m named after a constellation.”
Parker tugged at his chin so she could see his expression as she made her suggestion. “Didn’t you know that stars are beautiful? There is a little song about a star it compares it to a diamond in the sky. You are a gem. You are just as special as that diamond in the sky.” She paused thinking about what she was saying then added, “We could shorten your name to Gem.”
His smile was wide with the most genuine smile she had yet to see on his handsome young face. “I like it but I don’t think I want it to be short for Gemini any more.”
Parker gave it some consideration and found a possible answer just by following her instincts again. “Well, my mother’s last name before she married a Parker was Jamison. You could make it Jemison. It wouldn’t really mean anything in the long form, but the name we would call you ‘Gem’ would.”
“Jemison,” he repeated, as if trying the name on for size. “It would also be kind of a tribute to your mother, wouldn’t it?”
“I suppose it would,” she agreed. “She would have been honored.”
He thought about it for a while. In the mean time the two men listening from the kitchen looked at each other in amazement. She simply and kindly took care of the problem of the name without making the boy feel estranged from the family unit by not drawing attention to his unique beginnings.
“I heard you look like your mother. Was she beautiful too?” He looked at Parker with so much admiration it took her breath away.
“I’m not nearly the beautiful woman my mother was; she was very kind and loving. You see, my mother’s beauty glowed from within her soul. That is the beauty I remember as a child.”
Jarod had stood listening in fascination until that sentence. He could stand quietly no longer. He entered the room where the two sat, “Yes, she is as beautiful as her mother. I would have to say that the name Jemison would mean beautiful gem. “
Jarod smiled and winked at the youngster.
“I guess you can call me Gem.” The matter was settled, simply and yet quietly eloquent.
“Jemison Charles. I like it very much.” There was a glint of humor in Jarod’s voice but the warmth in his tone and eyes gave away the fact that he was indeed touched by the entire conversation.
“We’re going to get some supper going here, up to something light Miss Parker?” Major Charles leaned into the room, “What do you think a little soup and toast, or I can whip up a nice pan of scrambled eggs? What sounds good to you?”
Jarod answered before she had a chance, “The protein in the eggs would probably be good for you, and toast will add to the calorie and fiber mix. What do you say?” he was nodding his head as though helping her say the right thing.
She was watching his antics; it was almost funny to be treated like an adult that can’t decide what to eat without being coached. If the scrambled eggs hadn’t sounded so good right now she would have told Jarod to go hatch a few of his own. Her hunger was the catalyst that would get her past all the bickering just for a change. “Yes that sounds good. Thank you Major.”
“Gem, would you care to help me get this started. I’ll give you a quick lesson in how to make a delicious scrambled egg.”
Gem leaned over to Parker and touched her arm, “I hope we can talk more later. Thank you.” He whispered her name in her ear before following the Major into the kitchen.
“Well, I see you are still bewitching young boys.” Jarod sat in Gem’s spot.
“Yea, it’s the big boys that I have problems with.”
Jarod smirked, “Hmm, what kind of problem would that be? It seems to me that you have your choice of big boy companions.”
Parker was having trouble keeping eye contact with Jarod after that comment. She cleared her throat hunting for a topic to steer the conversation in a different direction, when she felt a source of warmth. It was Jarod. He was sitting so close she could feel the heat from his sunburned face and arms.
“Jarod,” she reached out and gently touched his warmed cheek, “I think you need to put something on that sunburn before it blisters.”
His hand held hers to his face, “I guess I should look for the first aide kit before cleaning up for supper. Why don’t I walk you back to the bathroom so you can get ready too?”
“Okay, if you’re a good boy, I’ll even help take care of that burn for you.”
And now we're grown up orphans
That never knew their names
We don't belong to no one
That's a shame
But if you could hide beside me
Maybe for a while
And I won't tell no one your name
“Name” Goo Goo Dolls
They stood looking out at the ocean and the beautiful beach below them.
Parker had insisted that, after her small meal of broth and tea, Jarod show her the house before he plopped her down someplace and took off to investigate the island again. With her good arm through his they had slowly walked around through the rooms, the Pretender happily pointing out those he found the most interesting. In the library he showed her the map of the island and, once again, assured her that the Centre would not find them. In the kitchen, he did his best to wipe away the mess he’d made while preparing her lunch and she pretended not to notice. In the living room, he tried to lead her to the soft recliner, but Miss Parker had no intention of resting.
“Parker, your body has been through a lot. You need to give it time to recuperate.”
“You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” she smiled taking in the scenery as she stepped on to the screened porch. She paused long enough to take a deep breath of sea air then glanced at him. “I’m not tired and I want to see what has you so enthralled you forgot about me and manage to get your face all sunburned. Now, either you can continue to be my guide on this little tour, or I can go alone. Your choice, Jarod.”
With a heavy sigh, Jarod nodded and took her arm. He knew she would have preferred being alone, but he was not willing to put her health at risk. Besides he intended to use their time together to his advantage.
Jarod wanted to get to know the adult Miss Parker as well as he thought he knew the young girl that became his first friend. In addition, he hoped she would come to know the adult he’d become and realize that as much as he and she were different, they are the same. As Maslow put it, they were missing the same tendencies toward becoming self –actualizing people, people who have yet to reach their fullest potential. Together they could together fix that.
The thought haunted him. Though they both had pretender abilities, and could become anything they wanted, yet neither of them was even close to becoming the self-actualizing people of Maslow’s theory. In Jarod’s mind they were capable of reaching that apex together.
At the sound of an approaching aircraft Parker felt her heart clench. She felt naked without her Smith and Wesson. Hell, considering all she was wearing was the robe Jarod had brought, she was naked. Jarod felt her tense and instinctively understood her impulse to take cover. Tightening his hold on her, he slowly backed under the eves of the house as they watched the plane circle around the pier below.
They watched the seaplane land Jarod murmured, “ It’s okay. Looks like Dad borrowed the Colonel’s plane.”
Parker let out the breath she was holding and, for a split second dropped her eyes to his hand. She hadn’t realized how tight her grip had been on his until she felt his other hand softly wrap around hers.
“A little something you failed to mention there Jarod. Colonel who?” She snapped. “You are going to talk to me about this set up aren’t you? If I’m going to trust you…”
“My, someone is getting tired,” he smirked, quickly adding, “Relax. First, let me get you back into the house. Once you’re comfortable, I’ll help them unload, and I promise, I will tell you everything you want to know.”
He guided her back into the living room at a slow pace. When he had her in her seat with another cushion behind her lower back to take as much pressure from the shoulders as possible, Jarod left in search of his father.
Jarod met the Major and Gemini as they were coming up the stone stairs, their arms loaded with packages, “Son, there are several more bags and a few large boxes to be brought up, grab what you can.”
The plane was finally unloaded and boxes and bags sorted, when Jarod noticed his father quietly standing and overtly listening to the conversation in the living area. Moving beside the older man, Jarod stage whispered, “Miss Parker will have you castrated for eavesdropping.”
The major silently laughed, “I imagine she’d threaten to, but something tells me she has that bark down to a science. Listen to the way she talks with young Gemini.”
They both stood for a bit listening to the conversation in the next room.
“I see you are off the IVs so you must be feeling better Miss Parker?”
“Well I did have to threaten Jarod that I’d throw all his Pez containers and sugary treats into the ocean if he didn’t unleash me.”
She smiled at the young man; there was something about this boy that truly touched her. Talking with him, one on one, made her feel like second chances weren’t all that far out of reach.
“Pez?” An all too familiar tilt of the head and the brown inquisitive eyes sparked a memory of Jarod and his introduction to Cracker Jack.
“Sometime you’ll have to ask Jarod about his collection. It’s an obsession he has developed with a candy dispenser. He goes nowhere without them.”
Parker found herself gazing at the boy with such fondness that brought out a protective streak she had only felt toward Debbie Broots.
“Sit down and talk with me for a bit. I haven’t had anyone to talk to today.
“You have been with Jarod all day, haven’t you?” he asked, moving to the chair beside her.
“She smiled. “Yes, but we argue more than we talk.”
“Oh.” He glanced nervously toward the door then sheepishly asked, “What do you want to talk about?”
Miss Parker shrugged. “Jarod mentioned that you were considering a name change. Have you given more thought to what you would like to be called?”
“I have a name. Gemini, it is what I’ve been called all my life.”
“It is the name the Centre gave you. As a young man you will find that there are names that fit perfectly to it’s owner, and there are names that have no meaning to the one called it.”
Parker thought a moment, as she watched the intentness of his gaze. He was listening closely as he tried to make sense of what she was saying.
“Take Jarod for instance. His parents gave him the name ‘Jarod’ at birth before he was taken by the Centre. It held the promise of a family for him, the promise that there are people who love him.” She waited a moment, letting her words sink in before taking the boy’s hand. “Jarod didn’t know his last name until just recently. During his pretends he always used his first name, and made up a second name. He owned that name. No matter what anyone called him, no matter where he went he was Jarod.”
“I have always been Gemini. I don’t know any other name to be called.” His frown spoke of indecision; “I don’t understand why I can’t be Gemini now.”
“I suppose if you feel so strongly about keeping it, you should do so,” she signed, finding herself drawn to this young man. He may be a genius, but like his predecessor he had trouble dealing with some of the worldly abstracts in life. Talking with him, and seeing the earnest look in his eyes as he fought to understand the concept of society brought back so many memories of her time with a young Jarod. “But you are not personified by the Centre any longer. You are not one of their projects. You are a free moral agent.”
“So is Miss Parker your Centre personification or the name your mother gave you?” The deep dark eyes were seeking the truth. He was trying to gain an understanding
Parker felt her stomach tightened. She knew she would have decisions to make, but it was just this morning that she started down that road. Now facing this boy who had also spent most of his youth living under Raines thumb; she realized she needed to take a first step.
“Miss Parker is the name my father wanted me to use. It was the Centre’s leash on me, also my father’s name. My first name was given to my by someone who loved me. I held, err… I have been holding it close to my heart. I guess it is my way of owning it,” she admitted. “I have only trusted that name to one other person. I gave it to him to hold on for me, in case I ever got lost.”
“I think I understand. But you are not at the Centre now, you are with us. Could you tell me your name?”
She was so lost in her memory of whispering that name into a young Jarod’s ear that she was startled to find the mirror image of him sitting close to her. Suddenly, Parker was having trouble distinguishing the past from the present. Was she with the young Jarod or the clone. She shook her head, as though to clear it.
Must be the damn drugs Jarod’s been feeding me.
She took a deep breath. Her instincts told her to divulge her secret now, just as they directed her so many years ago, The clone was sitting on her left. She leaned over and whispered the name her mother had given her- the full name not the nickname she came to revere over the years.
After whispering into his ear she sat up and watched the smile on his face. It was the same smile she had seen the first time she gave her secret away.
“What does it mean, it sounds so lyrical it must have a meaning.”
“It means ‘happiness’. My mother told me she chose it for me because I brought so much of it into her life.”
“I would like a name that had a special meaning”, he murmured dejectedly. “I’m named after a constellation.”
Parker tugged at his chin so she could see his expression as she made her suggestion. “Didn’t you know that stars are beautiful? There is a little song about a star it compares it to a diamond in the sky. You are a gem. You are just as special as that diamond in the sky.” She paused thinking about what she was saying then added, “We could shorten your name to Gem.”
His smile was wide with the most genuine smile she had yet to see on his handsome young face. “I like it but I don’t think I want it to be short for Gemini any more.”
Parker gave it some consideration and found a possible answer just by following her instincts again. “Well, my mother’s last name before she married a Parker was Jamison. You could make it Jemison. It wouldn’t really mean anything in the long form, but the name we would call you ‘Gem’ would.”
“Jemison,” he repeated, as if trying the name on for size. “It would also be kind of a tribute to your mother, wouldn’t it?”
“I suppose it would,” she agreed. “She would have been honored.”
He thought about it for a while. In the mean time the two men listening from the kitchen looked at each other in amazement. She simply and kindly took care of the problem of the name without making the boy feel estranged from the family unit by not drawing attention to his unique beginnings.
“I heard you look like your mother. Was she beautiful too?” He looked at Parker with so much admiration it took her breath away.
“I’m not nearly the beautiful woman my mother was; she was very kind and loving. You see, my mother’s beauty glowed from within her soul. That is the beauty I remember as a child.”
Jarod had stood listening in fascination until that sentence. He could stand quietly no longer. He entered the room where the two sat, “Yes, she is as beautiful as her mother. I would have to say that the name Jemison would mean beautiful gem. “
Jarod smiled and winked at the youngster.
“I guess you can call me Gem.” The matter was settled, simply and yet quietly eloquent.
“Jemison Charles. I like it very much.” There was a glint of humor in Jarod’s voice but the warmth in his tone and eyes gave away the fact that he was indeed touched by the entire conversation.
“We’re going to get some supper going here, up to something light Miss Parker?” Major Charles leaned into the room, “What do you think a little soup and toast, or I can whip up a nice pan of scrambled eggs? What sounds good to you?”
Jarod answered before she had a chance, “The protein in the eggs would probably be good for you, and toast will add to the calorie and fiber mix. What do you say?” he was nodding his head as though helping her say the right thing.
She was watching his antics; it was almost funny to be treated like an adult that can’t decide what to eat without being coached. If the scrambled eggs hadn’t sounded so good right now she would have told Jarod to go hatch a few of his own. Her hunger was the catalyst that would get her past all the bickering just for a change. “Yes that sounds good. Thank you Major.”
“Gem, would you care to help me get this started. I’ll give you a quick lesson in how to make a delicious scrambled egg.”
Gem leaned over to Parker and touched her arm, “I hope we can talk more later. Thank you.” He whispered her name in her ear before following the Major into the kitchen.
“Well, I see you are still bewitching young boys.” Jarod sat in Gem’s spot.
“Yea, it’s the big boys that I have problems with.”
Jarod smirked, “Hmm, what kind of problem would that be? It seems to me that you have your choice of big boy companions.”
Parker was having trouble keeping eye contact with Jarod after that comment. She cleared her throat hunting for a topic to steer the conversation in a different direction, when she felt a source of warmth. It was Jarod. He was sitting so close she could feel the heat from his sunburned face and arms.
“Jarod,” she reached out and gently touched his warmed cheek, “I think you need to put something on that sunburn before it blisters.”
His hand held hers to his face, “I guess I should look for the first aide kit before cleaning up for supper. Why don’t I walk you back to the bathroom so you can get ready too?”
“Okay, if you’re a good boy, I’ll even help take care of that burn for you.”
Chapter End Notes:
TBC hopefully!
Thank you to those reading and kind enough to leave reviews. It may be a while until the next chapter is posted.
Thank you to those reading and kind enough to leave reviews. It may be a while until the next chapter is posted.
