“I believe that is all for now Simon. Enjoy your one week off with celebration and
family but remember, lessons start Thursday.”
“I will Mr. Glenswold. Thanks for walking me, see you Thursday!” I affirmed, and
walked towards my house.
My mom saw me and opened up our door as she greeted me with a, “Hi sweetie, so proud of you!” and an affectionate hair ruffle. I waved back and stepped into my home. It was just me and my mom and dad, since the society didn’t allow more than one child per couple.
“A way to maintain population,” they explained. So, like most, we lived in a small
house with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, 1 dining room, (food was supplied so there was no need for kitchens), and 1 living room. My mom was a chef, one of the people who cook the food, and my dad was a statistician, he worked with populace growth, making sure we don’t overpopulate. He was in our living room watching the news, but he too moved to congratulate me.
“Nice going Si, the envelope came in, do you want to open it now?” he asked.
He tried to hide his excitement, but it was clear he wanted to see so I replied, “Yeah sure.” He went to retrieve the envelope and when he came back he tried to imitate the headmaster. He cleared his throat loudly and presented the envelope slowly and with exaggerated drama.
“Oh, just get on with it George,” my mom chided.
He opened the envelope and started to read, “Simon Peters, your pair is Joanna Scotts!” Joanna was a nice girl, pretty and smart too, but I didn’t really know her, and I made my concerns known. “Dad I don’t really know her, she was just in a couple of my classes.”
“It’s okay, there will be many times from here until the wedding where you’ll meet
each other and get acquainted. The wedding is a long way off anyways, both of you still need to finish your education. She has a job as a teacher too isn’t that nice?” My dad and mom continued babbling and trying to reassure me but I had a feeling it wouldn’t go as smoothly as what they were saying.
I couldn’t take it anymore so I interrupted their interlude, “I’m going to bed, it’s been a long day.”
“But you haven’t eaten yet,” my mom said, worry tinged on the edge of her voice,
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“Nope, not hungry,” I mumbled.
“Let him be Sarah, it’s been a big day for him,” my dad whispered. I laid down on my
bed and closed my eyes, but I simply couldn’t fall asleep. Tomorrow Joanna’s family would come over for lunch as the rules commanded and I would have to make small talk will Joanna for an hour. Just the thought of it made me squirm uneasily, but eventually the events from today wore me out and I fell into a restless sleep.
“Come on Simon wake up! It’s eight already” my mom nagged. “The Scotts are
coming over today at 12. Everything has to be perfect.”
“Okay I’m up, I’m up,” I grumbled.
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