The Assignment

Chapter 8: Advised (Part 2)

"When you're out of the county, you'll need to take a cab to the airport. You're going to have to fly out of the country if you're determined to make this work. This envelope," He says, handing it to me, "contains one hundred thousand dollars in cash. It'll cover the hotels and anything else you may need. There are two plane tickets, and it also contains fake ID's. You will go by the names of Madeline and Garret Wilston. You'll fly to England, using the story that you got married and wanted to move abroad. You have to remain inconspicuous."

"Once you're out of the country, they shouldn't be able to bring you back to the US. It'll be very hard to find you. In public, you'll go by your fake names, understand? I've been planning this for a while, as you can tell. Ever since I knew that you were seeing someone, Haden. I wanted to give you an opportunity to live and love, cry and laugh, have kids who adored you and a woman to love you. You deserve the only the best, both of you." He finished.

I could see that Emmaline was so happy that she wanted to hug my dad. She chose to speak instead, trying to contain her excitement. "Thank you, Jon. This was really nice of you." She smiled. He smiled back.

"It's no problem, really." He insists. "Christopher, will you get Emmaline's bag from the trunk?"

Christopher excused himself from the conversation to do as my father had asked. While he was gone, the rest of us exchanged small talk. This included discussing what Kia would have to do to get ready to leave here.

"I'm sorry if this is throwing you off, Kia. I know that you just got here, but I'll forever be in your debt for doing this for me. For us." Emmaline says, patting my hand and looking over at me.

Kia shrugs. "It's no big deal. I'm glad that I can help you all."

"Here, let me at least help you pack. We can let the guys talk about whatever they talk about." Emmaline giggled, standing up from her chair. Kia returned the good-natured laughter and led Emmaline away, going to show her the bedroom. I was left alone with my dad.

"So, how have you been?" I asked once I knew that the girls were out of earshot.

"I've been busy. Trying to get this together for you guys, and give you an opportunity that tons of teenagers could only ever dream of. You both deserve the chance just like I had with your mother." He smiles at the memory.

"What do you mean?" I asked curiously. My parents had never mentioned running away together.

"Oh, here, I'll tell you the story of my Assignment." He begins.

"Forty-two years ago was my Assignment year. I had just turned sixteen about two months before, and I was a nervous wreck. I'd been secretly seeing your mother for about six months, and I was hoping and praying that I would get Assigned to her."

"All of my friends got called up to the stage very early. I sat there for what felt like days as each guy got paired with a girl. The crowd watching thinned out until I was the only guy left. There were two girls; Maria Zeplinn and Lisa Zim. Your mother. They took the last slip out of the selection bowl, the one that held my name. And they told me to choose."

I involuntarily gasped when he told me that. I'd never heard of that being allowed before. "So, what happened?" I asked.

"Well, they brought the girls to the front of the stage, and gave me the option. Naturally, I chose your mother. We were so happy together, knowing that we'd never have to let each other go. Then, we had you, and I made a promise to your mom that I would make it possible for you to have a life like we had. Happy, full of love and laughter. You'll settle down with Emmaline and have that, without trouble, I promise. Your mother and I want it that way."