by Marla Monroe
The girl’s face pinched up in distaste. None of the human women liked the long flowing gowns that resembled tents to them. They were overly modest and cumbersome. She had to admit that they tended to keep them cooler when they were outside, but were uncomfortable to walk around in.
“Maybe you can start a business and sew for everyone,” Lettie suggested.
“I don’t mind making clothes. Since they don’t use money here, I won’t even have to charge for doing it. They just need to bring me the material and tell me what they want.” Andrea could see herself staying busy and loving it. As long as she didn’t feel pressed to get something made because someone was paying for it, she’d enjoy it.
“I hadn’t thought about that. Do you mind sewing if you aren’t getting paid?” Lettie asked.
“No. I’ll like it even more if I don’t have to worry about charging and collecting money.” She smiled at the other woman and accepted the glass of flavored water from her. “Sit down and cool off so you can try on the dress.”
While she fitted and adjusted the pinned garment on Lettie, Andrea thought about Coreg and the fact that he was going to go with them to the meal the next night. She really liked him and had thought about him a good bit all morning. She was glad that PJ wasn’t upset that she’d developed an interest in the Levassian. He could have been irate over it, but instead, he was reserving judgement until they’d spent time around the man.
Andrea’s body reacted to her thoughts about his silver skin and those bright silver eyes. She squeezed her legs together, embarrassed that she’d grown wet just thinking about him. Why had she become so attracted to him after only a chance meeting? It didn’t make sense, but she had. She could easily see him with her and PJ, writhing on the bed together. Her pussy contracted at the thought.
“Andrea? Are you okay? Your face is all flushed. Have you gotten too hot working on the dress?” Lettie’s voice lifted in alarm.
“I’m fine. I think I’ll have another glass of this water before I start sewing.” She stood up and walked into the other room trying to think about something else so she’d calm down.
Andrea fanned her face then poured another glass from the cold box as they called the fridge. After a few minutes, she felt calm enough to return to the living room to begin sewing on the dress. Lettie was dozing on the couch, a pamphlet lying open on her abdomen as if she’d fallen asleep reading.
She woke Lettie up a little while later to eat the mid-day meal then she resumed work on the dress while Lettie cleaned up in the kitchen. By the time PJ returned from working, she’d started hemming the dress. It would take several hours to make the minute stitches around the circumference of the dress, but she was sure she’d have it ready for Lettie to wear the next night.
“How was work?” she asked PJ when he’d stripped off his coveralls and stepped out of the boots he wore for the job.
“Good. We’ve been able to help them repair some of the machinery they use for irrigating their crops. They’d abandoned some of it because no one knew how to fix it. Some of their talents have died off with the men who’d created them. Since they don’t have younger men to learn from the older ones, a lot of their history is being lost.”
“That’s sad. I guess we are a godsend for them. Not only because we’re women, but also because you all can help with the other things. I just wish that they’d let women who wanted to work do so,” she said.
“Della and Caro have managed to lift some of the restrictions for that, but it will take time before they will make sweeping changes. With them pregnant now, they are pretty much sequestered until they have their babies,” PJ told her.
“I know they are a big deal for everyone,” she said.
“You have no idea how excited the Levassians are about their pregnancy. They haven’t had children here for years and years. They can’t wait to welcome them to the world. I hear they are planning a huge celebration for each child’s birth, and are creating toys for them to play with as they grow up.”
“That’s so sweet. I bet they’ll have hundreds of doting uncles to spoil them rotten.”
Andrea thought about having children and realized that for the first time, she was excited about the idea. Where before she’d been a little apprehensive about it since they’d been charged with having as many children as possible when they’d left Earth, now she looked forward to it.
“Meal’s ready if you guys are ready to eat.” Lettie’s cheerful voice pulled her back from her thoughts.
“Looks like you’ve just about finished Lettie’s dress.” PJ walked ahead of her to the meal prep room.
“All that’s left is the hemming. I’ll be working on that all day tomorrow. I won’t do much more tonight. I’m kind of tired. It’s been awhile since I’ve cut out patterns and put them together.”
“Oh, Andrea. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to rush you.” Lettie’s face fell.
“No. Don’t be sorry. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. You haven’t rushed me. I’m just looking forward to relaxing some before bed. That’s all.” Andrea hated that she’d taken some of the excitement away from the woman.
“If you can’t finish it tomorrow, it’s not a big deal, Andrea,” Lettie insisted.
“It won’t take much longer to have it hemmed, Lettie. Don’t worry about it. I’m not pressured. This is what I love to do.”
“If you’re sure.”
PJ chuckled. “Believe me, Lettie. All she talked about on the spaceship was how much she was looking forward to sewing once we got where we were going. You should have known her then.”
* * * *
The next night, Andrea watched as Lettie twirled around in her new dress giggling and laughing as she looked in the mirrored wall that only took a touch to turn it from the light blue to a mirror. The young woman looked beautiful in the green dress with orange trim. It suited her tanned skin and blonde good looks.
“You look amazing, Lettie. Tegrig and Honrig will be stunned. I bet they won’t be able to say a word when they see you,” Andrea said.
“Hurry up, ladies. Coreg will be here soon, and I want to see what Lettie looks like,” PJ called through the door.
“Come on. We better get out there before PJ has a coronary.” Andrea touched the mirror and it turned back into a wall.
“I’m so excited.” Lettie pressed the spot that opened the door of the bedroom.
“Wow. You look pretty as a picture, Lettie.” PJ smiled at the young woman.
“Thanks.” She giggled then hurried down the hall toward the living area.
“You look nice, too. I like that shade of pink on you, babe.” PJ reached out and touched her chin.
“Thanks. I did some alterations to the tunic they made for us. It was just too billowy for me,” Andrea said.
“It looks nice,” he said.
“I think I can salvage a lot of what they made for us since the dresses are so large, and remake them into smaller, better fitting outfits. I’m going to experiment on mine some next week.”
“Just don’t overdo it, Andrea. Remember that you get tired faster here,” PJ reminded her.
“I know. I’ll rest. Lettie is the one who needs to be more careful. I’ve had to warn her not to sit outside too much several times. She loves being outdoors, but I’m afraid she’s going to get too hot.”
“Maybe having these Tegrig and Honrig fellows interested in her will help with that. They may want to spend time with her and will watch out for her if they do. These guys are very protective of you women,” he said.
“I know. Coreg was horrified that I’d gone walking into town the other morning. It was early and I knew better than to stay out in the sun too long, but he didn’t think I should have been out alone at all.”
“Like I said, overprotective. Still, it was probably a good thing he watched out for you. I’ve heard that some of the men here are getting bothersome to some of the women. They’re desperate for a woman of their own.”
“That’s so sad. I
can’t imagine what it must feel like to see something you might not ever get to have.”
“True. I guess I hadn’t thought about it like that.” PJ took Andrea’s elbow and escorted her down the hall to the living area just as there was a knock at the door. “I bet that’s Coreg.”
“I’ve got it.” Lettie bounced to the door and opened it with a broad smile. “Hi, Coreg. Come on in.”
“Hello, Lettie. You look amazing in that dress. Did Andrea make it?” the Levassian asked.
“She did. Isn’t is gorgeous. I can’t wait to show it off at the communal meal,” she said.
“Hello, Andrea, PJ. Andrea, you look wonderful in that pink. You’ve done something to what you’re wearing. I like it,” Coreg said.
“Thank you.”
“We better go so that we get there ahead of the worst of the crowd. It will be easier to get our meal and find a table,” Coreg said.
Andrea and Lettie were tucked between the two men as they walked toward the town’s community center. There would be booths where many Levassians showed off their wares to peruse, as well as music and the chance to talk with some of the other women from the doomed ship. Andrea enjoyed it when they ate there.
The closer they got to the communal center, the more people joined them on the walk there. Several of the women commented on both her and Lettie’s clothes. They immediately asked for something to be made for them when they found out that Andrea had made them. She was going to be very busy. The thought broadened her smile as they walked up to the covered center where dozens of people already gathered.
“Let’s get in line to get our food,” PJ said. “I’m starved. We were busy today.”
“I heard that you’ve been able to repair several of the old irrigation systems. That is a great benefit to our crops,” Coreg said.
“Several of us worked on mechanical machinery back on Earth. I’m glad we can do something useful here,” he told the other man.
“Look, Lettie. Here comes Tegrig and Honrig. Their mouths are open.” Andrea smiled at Lettie’s sudden nervous fiddling with her dress. “Calm down, hon. They aren’t going to bite.”
“I can’t help it. I’m not used to anyone staring at me like they do. I feel like I’m a bug under a microscope around them,” she said.
“If you’re not attracted to them, I can get PJ to ask them to leave you alone,” Andrea told her.
“No. Don’t do that. I like them. They just make me feel weird.”
“That’s attraction, hon. Go with it. If you get too weirded out, just signal me, and I’ll help you out.”
“Lettie. You look amazing. Where did you get that beautiful garment?” Honrig asked.
She looked over at Andrea before drawing in a deep breath. “Andrea made it for me. Isn’t it lovely?”
“You are lovely in it,” Tegrig said.
“Would you honor us by sitting with us?” Honrig asked.
Lettie looked over at Andrea as she reached out to take the plate being offered to her. PJ rescued the other woman by answering for her.
“If you sit at a table next to ours, she can sit with you. She’s not used to you yet, so I don’t want her too far in case she becomes nervous,” PJ said.
“Of course. We understand,” Honrig said.
“Allow me to carry your plate,” Tegrig told Lettie as he took it from her hands.
Andrea watched as Lettie smiled shyly up into the other man’s face then let them lead her toward a table near the center of the covered area.
“She’s a little overwhelmed by their attention,” Andrea said.
“They are smitten with her,” Coreg told her. “They will treat her well.”
“Just the same, we’ll sit next to them,” PJ said.
“It is good that you are protective of her. It proves that you are an honorable male who would watch after a female not part of your family unit,” Coreg said.
“She’s like a sister to me,” Andrea told him.
“I’m sure she feels the same way. She looks up to you.” Coreg took her plate along with his and led them toward a table next to the one Lettie and her men were sitting.
When she sat down, PJ sat on one side of her and Coreg the other. She felt cocooned between them. The feeling wasn’t unpleasant. She liked being between them where she felt safe and cared for. Andrea looked over to where Lettie was blushing and giggling between the two Levassian men. She hoped that the three of them could work things out. Lettie needed a home where she felt safe and loved. She was so young to have been sent out, but then many of the women sent out into space had been under twenty-two or twenty-three.
Andrea listened as Coreg and PJ talked about the planet’s agriculture system and the talks of needing to expand the fields to accommodate the humans and the promise of future children. She could hear the excitement in Coreg’s voice as he relayed some of the things being bounced around by the council.
“There are older cities on the other side of the fields that were abandoned when we began to die out. It’s possible that we will begin to send males over to build a wall around them like the one here and refurbish them for future generations,” Coreg said.
“Isn’t that planning a little far ahead? It will be years before any children born in the next five or so years are old enough to need any place to stay. From what I’ve heard, there are still plenty of empty homes here in Levastah. You have been losing a few of your men every year now. That will increase over the years.”
“You’re right. Still, they are excited and thinking ahead. It is good that our people have something good to look forward to again. It has been a long time since we’ve held hope in our hearts,” Coreg said.
Andrea smiled, happy that the two men were getting along so well. The more time she spent around Coreg, the more she liked him. He wasn’t rude or demanding of her or PJ, and he was sweet to Lettie.
“Everyone is looking at Lettie’s dress, Andrea,” PJ said, sounding proud as if he’d created it himself.
“She looks amazing in it,” Andrea agreed.
“You will have everyone on your doorstep wanting one for themselves now,” Coreg told her.
“I don’t mind. It will be fun sewing again.” She stopped and looked up at the Levassian male. “Will the men in the shops who made our dresses get angry with me for taking away their business?”
“No. They will be curious as to why they like your dresses over theirs, but they won’t mind. They have plenty to keep them busy with all of our needs. Do not worry yourself over such. Your happiness is all that matters.” Coreg smiled down at her.
They finished up their meal then visited with others at the pavilion before returning home. She’d agreed to see several other women the next day about fitting them for dresses. She couldn’t wait to get started.
Coreg stopped at the door to their home and said goodnight to Lettie and PJ, then smiled down at her and lowered his head to place a chaste kiss on her lips.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to visit you again the day after tomorrow. I will be working late tomorrow and unable to visit.”
“The day after tomorrow is fine, Coreg. I’ll look forward to it. Why don’t you plan to eat with us?”
Coreg’s face lit up like a third sun. Why would he get so excited that she’d asked him to supper? It puzzled her, but she didn’t worry about it. She was just pleased that he wanted to come.
“I will see you soon, Andrea. Be safe and happy.” Coreg turned and walked off toward his home.
Chapter Four
PJ pulled Andrea into a warm embrace as he got ready to leave for work. She wrapped her arms around his waist and smiled up at him.
“Wish you didn’t have to work all the time,” she said.
“I don’t really work all that much. Got to feel productive and it’s only fair since we’re living in their homes and eating their food,” PJ reminded her.
“I know. I miss you though.”
“I like that you miss me. I miss you, too.
I’ll be home before supper time. Don’t forget you invited Coreg to eat with us. That’s some kind of big deal according to the Levassians from work. Means you’re accepting him.” PJ kissed her lightly on the lips then a little deeper. “Maybe we should sit outside tonight for a while. Without Lettie around.”
“What do you mean?” Andrea asked.
“I think you and Coreg need to decide if you’re compatible or not before this goes any further. I like the man well enough, but you’re the one who needs to be sure.”
“Oh. I suppose you’re right. I was taking it slow, but I guess that isn’t working very well if I’ve already indicated that I’m accepting him. I hate not knowing all the rules here,” she said.
“Yeah. It’s like moving to a foreign country like France or Germany and not knowing the customs. You can get yourself into trouble fast if you make the wrong move.”
“I do like him, PJ. Are you okay with this? I mean really?” she asked.
“Yeah. We all agreed when we got here that we’d continue to live in threes and accept a Levassian as one of the males in the family. I’m glad you picked Coreg. I like him better than some of the men here. Some are too formal and condescending to me.”
Andrea chuckled. “I know what you mean. The male at the clothing shop Coreg took me to the first time I met him was like that.”
“We’ll make this work, Andrea, if it is what you want. As long as he doesn’t hurt you, I’m fine with him being a part of our family.”
“Thanks, PJ.”
Andrea stood up on her toes and pulled PJ down for a kiss. A real kiss. She opened to him as he thrust his tongue inside her mouth. He explored her as if he’d never tasted anything as sweet as her before. When he slowly pulled back, Andrea was out of breath.
“I’ll see you tonight, babe.”
“Be safe, PJ.”
Andrea watched him walk away to disappear round the corner. She did miss him when he was gone. They’d grown close over the months since they’d crashed on the strange planet with its two suns and the blue moss-like grass that covered the ground where there were trees, or under the shadows of the houses. It was all so strange, yet she felt as if she’d lived there for years instead of months.