Elizabeth's Visitor

© 2003 Dustin LaValley
All rights reserved.

Johnny answered the door as his mother entered the foyer.

"Can I help you?" the young boy asked, staring up at the stranger's face.

Oversized, tinted eyeglasses slid down a slender nose as the man bent down to speak. Using an index finger he slowly repositioned his glasses.

"Hello, son. I'd like to have a word with your mother or father." His glasses slid down his nose again, and he adjusted them suitably, then ran a worn hand through greasy hair as he straightened his back.

"I'm the mom," Judith announced. "How can I help you?"

The man glanced down at the boy, then back up at the mother, "Mrs...?"

"Silverton. Judith Silverton," she said.

He looked at the boy, "Nice to meet you Mrs. Silverton. I'm Samuel Smith. Could we speak alone for a few moments?"

She turned to her son, "Johnny, will you excuse us for a bit, hon?"

Judith took another sip of tea. "How long did you and your family live in this home for, Mr. Smith?"

"Roughly, ten years, I'd say." Samuel took a long moment to stare into the empty teacup he held. "A lot of memories were made in this house, good and bad."

"Would you like a refill?" she said, noticing his empty cup.

"No thank you. I'd like to ask you a question, Mrs. Silverton, to get to the reason I've come here today."

Judith rose from her seat on the sofa, "Sure, that's fine, but if you don't mind, I'll grab myself another cup of tea."

"Please, go right ahead."

She quietly left the room, leaving Samuel alone with only pictures of her family for company. They reminded him of his own family, the family he once had, whom he had left years ago in this very house. He began to reach for a silver-framed picture when she reappeared.

"Now, what was that question you had for me?"

"You've been very kind, Mrs. Silverton. And I do not wish to intrude more then I already have." He took notice of a picture of an attractive young girl mounted on the wall. "When my family and I moved out those many years ago, it was under firm conditions, and we were forced to rush, leaving much behind. I'm sure most of our belongings are long gone, though I believe there is a chance that one item of mine is still in your attic."

He stopped there, leaving Judith with the options of saying no or giving her permission. Which she did without needing further influencing. She escorted Samuel to the attic, passing Johnny's bedroom on the way.

Samuel stopped at the base of the attic stairs.

"Mrs. Silverton, if it is all right with you, I'd really appreciate being allowed to go further by myself. It's most likely going to be an emotional reunion," he said with a slight smile, attempting to humor her into agreement.

She stood silent for a brief moment, and then gave permission.

He remained on the attic stairs, waiting for Judith's footsteps to die before he entered her son's bedroom. The boy sat in a big purple beanbag chair, placed next to his bed, reading a comic book.

"Hello, Johnny," he whispered as he neared.

"Hi." If the boy was startled or frightened by Samuel, he didn't show it.

Samuel sat on the bed and glanced around the room. "How old are you, Johnny?"

"Ten," the boy said, slipping the comic in to a plastic cover and then setting it under his bed along with dozens of other scattered books.

"You like comic books? My daughter liked comic books, too."

"How old is she?"

Samuel looked up at the ceiling, "Well, she'd be much older then you are now, but I remember her as a child of about your age."

"Oh," said Johnny.

It was obvious that the boy didn't understand. He began to show signs of nervousness, chewing on his lower lip and looking away from Samuel when eye contact was made.

"Would you like to meet her? I know she would enjoy the company. It' been a long time since anyone has visited her."

He stood and stretched for Johnny's hand, motioning for him to rise to his feet. Together, they walked towards the attic stairway.

"I hope you two become friends. She needs the company," Samuel said, staring ahead.

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