ch 22 A rude couple.

Aug 3 1987 Monday afternoon. The Silver Otter Cafe

"Order for Luke! Order for Luke!" Luke went to the counter to get our order. Five Iced Coffees and five slices of chocolate cake.

"Marshall, you can be a jerk sometimes. You could help me with the orders. My legs are still sore." Luke complained a little. He can't walk properly because he sprained a muscle during our Taekwondo class.

"Dude, it's training. And besides, I'm the one paying." Me and Kyle laugh a little.

I invited my friends to learn Taekwondo last May. Surprisingly, it was only Luke who was interested. I guess he finally realized that MeiMei is a 'strong' girl despite being petite.

The instructor Nana found has his own studio in town. I was expecting a look-alike of Asian actors or celebrities when she told me it was someone her granddaughter thought and that the guy name is 'Lee'. I was like, 'maybe a Bruce Lee look-alike?'.

When we met the guy I can't help but laugh. He is of Asian decent and I recognized the face, but it was not that of an actor(not technically). He look like a sharp "Ryan Higa" the YouTube celebrity. He is just a 'normal' person.

When he instructed us, there were other kids in class. It was just obvious that he is paying special attention to the two of us. Since we still had school at that time, we only met twice a week. But after the school year ended it became five times a week. Kyle and I also dragged Luke on our morning runs.

For the others, Kyle already had football so he said he'll pass. Jeanne was already an active girl helping around thier farm. MeiMei do join us on runs and is always around when we practice but she doesn't participate. She is more like our cheerleader with Turtle following her.

Yes,Turtle is still alive. Partly because of me. Good thing Mei always bring the poor thing when we go out. I'm able to slip some diluted spring water to it. But it was still obese. I don't know what Mei feeds it. But I'm pretty sure its not the recommended amount . Think about it. The dog drinks my spring water... it should not be that fat!

Back in the cafe. We were chatting about where we can go or do for our summer vacation. We only limit it around Ottery. It might be our school break but the adults still have work.

"How about Wildwood Devon?" Jeanne suggested. "It is close by. We can take the bus to Talaton in the morning and just drop off by the road leading to the Safari Center."

"Do they have a restaurant around?" I asked. I dreaded going to places we can't get food.

"Yeah. They have you foodie." Jeanne added.

"So it's set. I'll try to get information if they have a tour. I'll just check the phone books. Ask permission from you folks in advance." I instructed while I take a bite of my cake.

Their parents pretty much trust me by now. They already saw how mature I am and what a positive influence I am to thier kids. So as long as I'm the one organizing, they'll allow it.

While we were talking I heard a woman's voice talking behind me, "Tu vois, chérie, c'est tout à fait normal de sortir dehors maintenant. Personne ne viendra après nous."(Fr. See dear, it's totally fine to go outside now. No one will come after us.)

A male voice replied, "Je connais l'amour. Je suis juste paranoïaque."(Fr. I know love. I'm just being paranoid.)

"Tu sais qu'on ne peut pas rester éternellement à la maison."said the female voice. (Fr. You know we can't just stay at home forever.)

Out of curiosity I look behind to find a middle age couple. Again I know thier faces, the woman looks like the actress that played Barney's mom, Frances Conroy, only with black hair. The man looks exactly like, Ian McShane, the actor in John Wick-the guy who owns the NY Continental Hotel.

They noticed me looking at them. The woman smile and gave me a nod. The guy nod as well then look straight to my eye. At that moment I hear the sound of windchimes 🎵 🎶 🎵 🎶.

'This guy tried to read my mind!' I furrowed my brows. I turned back to my friends. When the very observant Luke notice my change in mood, he asked "Something the matter, mate?"

"Nothing. You guys done?" They said yes so we started to tidy up. Then we left the cafe. We separated along the walk back.

I was alone walking by the side of the road. I kept thinking of the couple back in the cafe. 'Wizards! The guy's so rude."

*tik*tap*tap* I heard footsteps from behind. So I look back to find the couple following me. 'Huuuu..Now what!'

"You need anything, old man?" I directly asked.

"Nothing. We just want to talk,boy" the man nonchalantly replied. The woman just observe our interaction.

I snort,"Heh, talk? Why? Because invading little kids mind can't seem to cut it for you?"

*cough*"Sorry about that. Old habits die hard." He seems sincere. Though I still have my guards up.

"Voir cher. Tu devrais vraiment arrêter de lire dans les pensées des gens." The woman said to the man. (Fr.See dear. You should really stop reading peoples mind.)

"Je sais. C'est pourquoi je m'excuse. D'autres familles de sorciers de la région pourraient se méfier de nous si elles découvraient que j'essayais de lire dans les pensées d'un enfant." He replied while pondereding what he should say to me. (Fr.I know. That's why I'm apologizing. Other Wizard families in the area might become wary of us if they found out I tried to read a kids mind.)

'Man they are rude. Talking in another language in front of someone they think don't speak French'. I had enough of our chitchat so I said, "Bien. Je te pardonne cette fois. Je dois y aller maintenant."(Fr. Fine. I forgive you this time. I need to go now.)

They were surprised by my reply. 'Yeah. I speak French!' I thought to myself and continue my walk back. I hasten my pace. I just want this encounter to be over with.

Then I realized they are still following me. Now I'm bothered. I yelled, "Anything else?"

The woman talk this time, "Sorry about my husband again, mon cher garçon(My dear boy). But it appears we are going the same way. That's our house." Then she points at the house of my mystery neighbors.

"Huh?..... Ooohhhh...so you are my new neighbors that I haven't seen for what....three months now?" Now they finally show up. I was bothered by it. I saw the same magic suction phenomenon on thier roof once a month. By the third time, I figured out they always do it around the night of a fullmoon.

"Oh? So we're neighbors?" The man said.

I confirm, "it appears so. Well, my grandma told me not to be rude. So... let me introduce myself. I'm Marshall." I intentionally didn't say my last name.

"I'm Penny Fleming and he's my husband,Nick." She introduce thier name. I thought 'Fleming? ..don't ring a bell'.

Rhen Nick inquire, "So Marshall, are your parents both wizards. It's not everyday I see a kid with powerful occlumency hang around normal folks. Pureblood family tends to 'stick to thier own kind' here in Britain."

'Again! rude.' I already sense Nick is back in probing for information. I replied "My parents are not with us anymore. It's just me and my Nana. She's a squib." I controlled my facial expression to look like I'm uncomfortable with the topic.

"Oh, we're sorry dear." Penny immediately apologized. There is a lull of silence after.

I still kept my somber face and just said, "Don't worry. Anyway, I'll be on my way now. It's nice to meet you." Then I ran to my house. I didn't look back to see what face they are making.

Inside my house, I can't stop laughing a bit. Now I have a name and face. 'Fleming.. Fleming.. nope, no one comes to mind. Might be people from another country. France maybe?'

~end chapter ~