GEN II: Chapter 24

James was up and dressed before the sun this morning. He had a busy day in front of him and wanted to get going. James was not practiced in anyway in the gardening department, but he could not stand to see his grandmothers plants just wilting away like they were. He wanted very much to preserve anything of hers, or that reminded him of her. So like his grandmother did, James was out before dawn pulling weeds and watering the plants. He worked until after sunrise, then went and showered. He only had a quick bowl of cereal for breakfast before going out on his quest for the day.

James was off to get a job that day. He had dreamt of becoming an International Super Spy since childhood. Recent events in James' life had made him realize that you should always reach for your dreams, not regret anything. He was just about to settle for any old job until he read in the paper that the local police department was looking to hire someone. Of course he would probably start at the worst job in the place, but at least he was in there. They actually interviewed him right away and gave him the job of a Snitch. For now, James was happy for that much.

**Meanwhile**









Charlie was doing the same thing right down the road. He was looking for a job in the journalism area. Eventually he wanted to become a Star News Anchor but knew that might take a while. This building was hiring for a new paper boy, so he applied. Charlie just hoped they would notice his potential soon and promote him. They were so desperate for a new employee they hired him right away, no interview.

Each of the boys went to the park after acquiring their new jobs. Neither was ready to go home. James arrived first, not even knowing that his brother was not too far behind. He noticed his uncle Damien was there as well and started talking to him. James tried hard to avoid talking about his grandmothers passing, but the topic crept up in their conversation anyway.



Soon after the mention of his mother, Damien stated that he had to leave. "Pressing business and all." He had said. Damien excused himself and left the park. James stood a little disappointed for a moment but then looked around for something else to do. He noticed his brother, Charlie was just standing there staring off into space. What was he doing? Suddenly James smiled to himself, he had an idea.



Charlie had come to the park after getting his job, and he did happen to notice James speaking with Damien. He was on his way over to them when someone caught his eye. She was one of the prettiest girls he had ever seen. Something about her was just so mesmerizing. Charlie couldn't help but stare. He watched her from the side as she went into the restroom. 'Who was that? I've never seen her before, she must be new here.' Charlie thought to himself.

Just then...

"RRRAAAAAHHHH!!!" Shouted James. He was standing right behind Charlie. Charlie nearly jumped out of his skin, he turned to confront his assailant then realized it was his own brother.

"What's the MATTER with you? Jeesh man, don't DO that." He was trying to be reprimanding, but he couldn't help but smile. Charlie had done that to James many times before.



"Sorry bro, you were just so vacant I just couldn't miss the opportunity!" James said. "You should have seen your face man, your funny. So anyway why are you here staring at..... well what were you staring at anyway?" James looked in the direction that Charlie had been focused but saw nothing of interest.

"Uh, nothing. It was nothing." Charlie lied. He really did not need his brother making fun of him right now. Charlie knew James would nit pick him if he knew a girl had been in his sights.

"Well whatever, what's up man? I didn't expect to see you here." James continued. "I was just out actually, well don't tell dad yet, but I just got a job at the Police department here, as a snitch!"


Charlie could tell that James was excited, and shared in his enthusiasm. He gave him his congratulations and told him of his job finding as well.

"A paper boy? Oh man how lame! Well I hope you get climbing that ladder soon my man. No one wants to be a paperboy, that's why they are always hiring! Anyway, I'm off to play some chess, wanna match?"

Charlie shook his head declining the offer politely, and told his brother to go ahead. James left to look for another opponent. Charlie looked back at the restrooms, but thought for sure she was long gone. For a moment then he wondered what he was doing, standing here hoping to get just a glimpse of that woman again and he didn't even know her. Why? He shrugged it off and decided to follow James, to watch him play.

Charlie turned to get to the tables and nearly ran into someone, when he looked up he realized that it was her. She was still here, and he just about knocked her over because he wasn't paying attention.











Charlie was rendered speechless for a moment. She was even prettier up close. Her eyes were such a beautiful green they just pulled him into them. He couldn't help but stare at her.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't watching." She said to Charlie. "Hi, I'm Sybil." She reached out and took his hand, before he could really move or speak.

Very outgoing, and so relaxed about it, oh how he wished he could be that way. "Hello." He said. The word seemed to jog him back to his senses. He stuttered for a moment and then apologized, "Oh, uh, sorry. Hey my names Charlie, Charlie Fuller." Why did he say it like that, like he was someone important? For some reason he could not stop looking at this woman, Sybil. She was so, innocent seeming and it was as if her eyes showed everything she was all at once. He could study them forever.

Soon they were talking, and he even got up the nerve to ask what her star sign was. He learned that she was a Virgo, and couldn't help but think how compatible they would be. She also told him that she had just moved here from Pleasantview and she was living with her sister and cousin. After Charlie started talking, it seemed so easy he didn't want to stop. He wanted to learn everything about her as soon as he could. She laughed at him when he made a joke, or a funny face and he did the same. Charlie loved her laugh and wanted to hear it more often.











Charlie and Sybil joked around for a while, and took pictures of each other with their phones. The two of them seemed to hit it off very well, pretty soon they were gossiping about the people right beside them. Charlie found that whenever Sybil got close to him, he would freeze in anticipation of her being so close. Why did he feel this way? They just met. Then he surprised himself and asked her to come to his house for dinner.

"Oh that sounds lovely Charlie, I'd love to!" She happily accepted his invitation.

"Good, great, okay, uh, let's get going. I'll um, I'll hail a cab for us." Charlie was starting to falter in his speech again. What was he doing? He didn't know how to cook very well. What would he make? She seemed like one of those delicate girly girls, so maybe he could make a salad. At least he knew how to do that, sort of. On the ride over he changed his mind, he would make his best dish. Goopy Carbonara.

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When they pulled up to the house Charlie heard Sybil gasp just a little bit. "Oh wow, Charlie your house is lovely!" She said. "I just stay in this rinkydink old place in the swamp! Wow. I'd love to live in a place like this one day."

Charlie listened to her words and smiled at her. He thought to himself for a moment of her living here with him. He crinkled up his forehead and pushed that thought away. 'You just met her man, you don't even know if she is into you or not, chill out.' He mentally chastised himself.

"Did I say something?" Sybil asked. She had seen his facial expression change and wondered what brought it on.

"No no, not at all. I was just uh, I was just realizing that I've never really looked at my home like that. I guess I take it for granted." He lied. She was perceptive, he would have to be careful so she wouldn't see right through him.



They walked in the front door and were immediately greeted by Hayden. Charlie introduced Sybil to his father, ignoring the confused look on his dad's face. He told them he would be back shortly, to chat amongst themselves while he made dinner.

Hayden eyed Sybil suspiciously. "Hello, I'm Hayden. Have we met?" He asked.

"No I don't think so, but I have heard of you... and Isabel. Is that right, your wife I mean? I read about you guys in the paper somewhere. My name is Sybil." She said.

"Yes Isabel is my wife. It's nice to meet you. Where did you meet Charlie?" Hayden couldn't help but ask. Charlie was the one person who had not had any girls visit when he was younger, he just did not seem interested. Yet here was a woman, pretty as could be, brought home by Charlie himself. He was even cooking dinner for her, something he never did. Hayden was just a little confused.

She told him about meeting in the park and Charlie inviting her for a meal. They two of them continued their conversation as Charlie finished up dinner.



Charlie tasted his Goopy Carbonara as it cooked, to make sure it was right. He was glad he chose to make this, it was his specialty. As he stirred the pot his mind drifted to the woman in the next room. He could see himself with a woman like that. Even though she hinted otherwise, he would have thought she was brought up in the most proper of homes, and the riches of families. She seemed so elegant to him. So royal, and beautiful.

The food bubbling below him caught his attention and he gave it a quick stir before putting it into the serving bowls.










Charlie came out with dinner just as Hayden and Sybil finished a conversation about him. He overheard his name and couldn't help but wonder what they were talking about. He knew his father wouldn't say anything embarrassing, but it still made him nervous.

Hayden called the rest of the family to dinner, and introduced Sybil to each of them. Isabel was particularly pleased that Charlie had brought home a girl.

After they had finished, Charlie and Sybil stood and talked some more. He found talking to her so easy, as long as he didn't look into her eyes for too long. If he did, he would find himself stuttering and looking for the right words.

Knowing it was pretty late, after midnight even, Charlie started to bid her goodbye. He really wanted to kiss her. That urge was very strong. Apparently she was thinking the same because she stepped a little closer. Charlie stood completely still, he could feel his legs getting numb already.

Sybil leaned in toward Charlie, "I had a great time tonight, thank you so much for dinner. It was wonderful." She smiled in such a way that her lips parted ever so slightly and seemed to invite Charlie to kiss her.

He chickened out. Charlie couldn't put his moves on her so quickly, even though she was very enticing. He wanted to, there was probably nothing more in the world he would rather do than kiss her goodnight. But he couldn't, not right now.

"You are most welcome, Sybil. Come anytime, call me okay?" Charlie told her. He took her by the hand and walked her to the door. "Goodnight, I hope to see you again soon."

Sybil looked a little shocked, yet intrigued. She was really hoping to test the waters with a farewell kiss. "Definately, I'll call. See you later." She walked out and grabbed a taxi home.

Charlie stood there and stared after her until she was out of sight. He tried to focus on getting the blood back to his arms and legs, because it seemed all of it had gone to his head. It was after one in the morning he had get to bed since he has a new job to start.



Charlie went to bed that night with thoughts full of nothing but Sybil. He hadn't ever felt anything like that for anyone. Ever. He dreamed of her that night and awoke the next day yearning to see her again. It was his mothers birthday the next day, but he would be sure to ask Sybil out that night. It was almost as if he needed to, like she was a drug and he had to have his fix.