Amber's "Talent"
Manchester, NH
Despite having no contact from Beth besides a $300 child support check, and the custody agreement hearing when Amber was only 3, life as a single dad wasn't too bad.
When he heard about Amber's skill if you will, he was open to it, Saying to her "Well, that makes sense. You do like going out when it's sunny."
A year after he broke up with Beth, He finally developed a plan. Or at least a form of a plan. After a few months of dating someone, he would introduce whoever he was dating to Amber, and she would see what she was all about.
Most of the women he dated (online or otherwise) that was told about Amber, They understandably didn't understand or believe him. But it became common for him that he shrugged it off.
His newest interest was Samantha or Sam as her friends called her. They met online and He hinted Amber's "talent" as to Sam.
"Is she like X-23?" She messaged.
"You could say that haha. If she was I would have gotten a call from her school principal by now"
"Haha, little girls always have a hidden talent. Mine was collecting Beanie babies when those were a thing."
And that was that for the time being.
2 weeks later
It was finally time for Sam and Derek to meet. They decided to meet at a Barnes and Noble in town.
Derek had to bring Amber overdue to Amber wanted to look at books anyway. Amber was completely fine with dad dating.
When Derek and Amber got there, they naturally split up. He went to the Cafe and she went to the Young adult section.
Derek bought himself an iced coffee and looked back and forth between Amber and the front door. Amber wasn't paying attention to him. She was looking at a book. When he noticed this, Sam walked in.
Sam was wearing a light red knitted sweatshirt and some fitted jeans. Derek was too distracted making sure Amber was ready. He threw on jeans and a sweatshirt. It made Derek feel better that she wasn't that dressed up.
They shared a brief hug and they both sat down.
"How'd you know it was me?" Derek asked.
Sam pointed to the hot coffee. An earlier text message said he'd be drinking a large one.
*So what's the secret?"
"It's not earth-shattering…."
"Just tell me."
Derek sighed. " Just don't tell anyone. I mean it. No social media. Not even to your friends."
"Ooook."
"Remember how I said Amber gets hot A Lot?"
Sam nodded.
"It's got nothing to do with her having fever issues.."
Sam turned her head slightly to the side. "So it was a lie…."
" A white one."
"How?"
"The Sun"
"What...does she has a skin condition?"
"Not exactly."
" You're not exactly scoring points here"
"I know. There is a reason for that." He looked over to Amber. She was looking at another book. It was about Saturn. She had a report due.
"Well...she's ...well it's like you said, she's like a comic book character. But she's getting it from a…." He sighed " Sun goddess. I looked it up. The name is Hathor. It's kinda fitting.
Sam sat back in her chair. "Huh."
"I know…"
"Can she control it?"
"It depends. When it's winter, She has a heat lamp. Girls get cold easily so it makes sense."
"So is she possessed?"
"That's a good question. I wish I knew. But what I do know is that I have to figure it out."
Amber walked up to them. She held out the Saturn book. "Can I buy this?" "It's not at the library?" Sam asked. Amber pulled out her phone. "Guess it is. Thanks. Who are you?"
"Amber."
"Sam. Nice to meet you." They didn't shake hands but shared a smile.
"Do you like Saturn?" Sam asked.
Amber's voice raised a bit. "I like Neptune better but it got taken from another girl." Amber didn't mention that it was Sara who took it from her.
Amber looked at Derek. "Library?"
"Library."
Amber walked back to put the book back.
Sam looked at her phone. "Gotta go."
They both stood up and hugged.
"Thank you"
"For what?"
"Believing me. Don't get why though."
Sam just smiled and walked off.
Derek sat in disbelief. wasn't for long though, when Amber walked back to him.
"You like her?" He asked.
"I guess"
"Amber and Derek hugged." She won't be Beth, ok? here... "Derek handed over the last if his iced coffee.
That cooled her down. enough to get rid of the orb for the time being.