by Cara Bristol
She did not need someone overseeing her life. The guardianship needed to be severed. She wasn’t sure how to go about it but guessed it involved going to court. What she did know for sure was the process would go smoother if her mother supported rather than opposed the dissolution. However, Rosalie would view Cassie’s bid for independence as a rejection.
Would it be okay if I kept the flowers at the shop? Cassie wrote. I can use them in one of the dining displays up front.
“Of course, but why not bring them home where you can enjoy them?”
I spend more time at work. If she took them home, Rosalie would see them.
The bell over the door rang, followed by a murmuring of female voices.
“Whatever you want.” Verna hurried off to greet the customers.
Cassie fingered a soft petal and inhaled the sweet fragrance and then opened the tiny envelope stuck in the roses. I’m sorry for everything. Please forgive me. – Psy.
There was nothing to forgive; she had wronged him by leaping to erroneous conclusions. Thank goodness he’d forgiven her.
Writing used to be her normal, but telepathy had shown what communication could be. Easy. Fast. She could be as long-winded as she desired. Have a deep discussion. Use her hands when speaking.
What if new medical advances could help her? How bad could the tests be? Maybe to a baby, it had seemed painful, but perhaps to an adult, it would be tolerable?
Cassie tucked the card into her pocket and carried the roses to the floor. Verna conferred with a customer examining a steamer trunk, while a pretty brunette woman and a little girl studied a teacup display. The child picked up a delicate china cup, extended her pinky, and pretended to take a drink.
“Put that down, Izzy,” the mother said. “If you break it, I have to buy it—and that one is a little more than I want to pay for a play set.” She eyed the bouquet. “What beautiful flowers! They smell wonderful, too.”
Cassie smiled a thank you, rested the roses on the table edge, and tried to move the heavy multi-arm silver candelabra.
“Let me help.” The woman picked up the candleholder.
Cassie centered the vase on the table and grabbed her notebook. Thank you. I’m unable to speak. I have to write notes.
“Oh. I understand,” she said. “You work here, I take it?”
Yes. Can I help you find something?
“We’re interested in a tea set. My daughter Izzy had one, but it got broken.”
We have many nice ones. There are more on the shelves over there. She pointed.
“We saw those.” Her mouth twisted ruefully. “They were a little pricey, I’m afraid. I’m hoping to find an inexpensive set she can play with.”
How about some mismatched cups and saucers? There’s a bargain table in the rear of the store.
“That sounds good.”
“What’s this?” Izzy pointed to the Royal on the table/desk. The vintage office display had captured a lot of attention. Several items from the tableau had sold and had to be replaced.
“A typewriter,” the woman explained.
“What does it do?”
“You use it to write with. Like on a computer but the words are printed on paper instead of a screen,” she explained.
I can get paper. She can try it.
“Do you want to type, Izzy?”
“Yeah!”
Cassie rolled a sheet into the machine and typed:
Hello, Izzy,
My name is Cassie. I can’t speak, but I can type. Do you want to try?
The little girl squinted at what Cassie had written and pecked out, How come you can’t speak?
Never learned how, she replied.
“Can I have a typewriter?” Izzy peered up at her mom.
“We came for a tea set, not a typewriter.”
Something white flashed outside the window, and then a huge man landed on the sidewalk, folded his wings, and waved through the window.
Izzy and her mother waved. “That’s Angel,” the little girl said.
“Izzy calls him Angel, but he’s an alien. He goes by Wynn or Wingman. He’s my husband. We’re genmates.”
Now she recognized him. She’d seen him on the bridge of the Castaway. She scrawled, He’s a friend of Psy.
“You met Psy?” The woman raised her eyebrows.
We’re dating.
“Ohh…” The woman grinned. “Congratulations! I’m Delia, by the way. I should have introduced myself. Would you like to meet Wingman?”
Yes, I would. Everything about Psy’s life fascinated her, especially his alien friends. She’d never imagined meeting one extraterrestrial, let alone two!
“Hey, Verna! Cassie’s stepping outside for a sec!” Delia yelled.
“Okay!”
You know Verna?
“Everyone knows everybody in Argent. I work a couple of doors down at the Whitetail Tavern.”
Cassie had never ventured inside the bar—or any bar. She realized how cloistered she was, missing out on normal adult activities. More than ever, she was determined to assume control of her life and break out of the protective bubble.
Delia beckoned.
He can come inside!
Shaking her head, Delia chuckled. “You’ve heard of a bull in a china shop? Imagine an alien with a twelve-foot wingspan. He can fold his wings pretty tight, but it’s uncomfortable and accidents happen.”
Up close, Wingman made an imposing impression. Other than the wings, nothing about him seemed angelic. He had stern, unforgiving features and a brawny physique suggesting he could bench press a small bus. Maybe a double-decker. But when his gaze alighted on Izzy and Delia, his hard face softened to putty.
Delia introduced her, explaining the speech limitation.
“You’re Psy’s Cassie? I’ve heard so much about you.” Wingman smiled.
You have?
“Inferno, who lives with Psy, mentioned you had a date last night.”
Delia chuckled. “Word travels fast among the ’Topians.”
What else did he tell you about me? She knew it was wrong, but she shamelessly pumped Wingman for information.
“Just that you’re genmates. His mating glands have activated.”
Cassie’s eyes widened with surprise, but a warm happy feeling lit in her chest. Psy had mentioned genmates, but she hadn’t known he’d thought she was his!
Delia sighed. “Wingman! Obviously Psy hasn’t told her yet.” She looked at Cassie. “Listen, I don’t want to steal Psy’s thunder. ’Topians have glands here.” Delia touched her jaw. “When they meet the women they’re genetically predisposed to bond with, the mating glands swell. Ask Psy about it when you see him.”
You could bet she would. Genmates sounded so…permanent. Perhaps the idea should have scared her, but she felt excited, hopeful. Normally people met somebody, dated for a while, fell in love, and decided to get married. Usually they had to date many someones before finding the right someone.
Nothing about her life had been normal, so why worry about it now? And there was something incredibly romantic about it…an alien travels across the galaxy and falls in love with the first human woman he encounters. She couldn’t believe how close she’d come to ruining everything. Thank goodness he hadn’t given up on her.
How did you two meet? she asked.
“Izzy was almost kidnapped. Wingman rescued her.”
Cassie’s jaw dropped. How awful. Child abduction was one of the worst crimes she could imagine. What kind of demented person would do such a thing?
“Izzy believed he was an angel and invited him to her birthday party.”
“Then I showed up.” Wingman laughed.
Delia must have read confusion on her face because she added, “When Izzy told me an angel would be coming, I dismissed him as an imaginary playmate. Then I discovered a winged alien in my living room.”
Cassie laughed. Is everyone in Argent aware of aliens? Verna had known, but she’d bet Rosalie had no idea. However, they w
ere new in town and had kept to themselves because her mother disliked crowds.
“By now, most people know me and Chameleon—we’ve been the most open,” Wingman said.
They turned as the customer who’d been with Verna exited the antique shop.
Delia rose on tiptoe to give Wingman a quick kiss. “We’d better let Cassie do her job. I’m going to dash inside to look at the bargain teacups. How about I meet you at Millie’s? Why don’t you order me a house salad with grilled chicken? Unsweet iced tea.” She looked at Izzy.
“Do you want to come with me or go with Wingman to Millie’s?”
“Millie’s!” Izzy slipped her hand into Wingman’s.
“It was nice meeting you,” he said.
She smiled and nodded to show she felt the same.
The two of them strolled toward the diner. She and her mother had eaten there once. Cassie had enjoyed it, but her mother hadn’t liked the food, so they hadn’t gone there again.
She and Delia returned inside where Cassie showed her the bargain table. Delia found a pretty china teapot sans lid.
“It’s just for play,” Delia said, and found a couple of chipped cups and saucers. “These will work fine.” After she paid for her purchases, she said, “I’m so glad I came in and got to meet you. We’ll probably see more of each other. The ’Topians are like brothers—we’re all family. I work nights at the Whitetail. It’s a great place to relax and unwind. Drop by sometime.”
Maybe I will. Thank you. I so enjoyed meeting you. She felt like she’d made a friend. Delia was so easy to talk to. She’d also given her a lot to think about.
Genmates?
* * * *
After washing up in the restroom, Cassie applied her makeup and then changed into a clean pair of jeans and a brand new cold-shoulder knit top. She’d considered bringing a dress but remembered the hover scooter ride. She’d just attached earrings to her lobes when she heard Verna shout.
“Good god, what happened to you?”
Cassie rushed onto the shop floor. Psy’s cheeks, jaw, and throat were so swollen, his entire face was misshapen. “Wah, wah—” Guttural sounds erupted from her mouth. So shocked to see him like that, she forgot she couldn’t speak. The tightening around her throat reminded her.
Even his smile twisted crookedly. “I’m okay. Nothing to worry about.”
“You look like you have a serious case of the mumps,” Verna said.
Cassie touched her temple, inviting him to forge the mind-link.
A warmth seeped into her head as their consciousness merged. What happened? she said.
My mating glands activated.
She’d gotten the impression from Wingman and Delia swollen mating glands was a positive thing. I can feel how achy and tired you are. We can do this another night.
I’m fine.
The pain and fatigue she sensed vanished. She narrowed her eyes. Did you do something?
I put up a blocker. I don’t want you to suffer. There’s no need for you to feel uncomfortable.
That he cared so much for her after the way she’d treated him was amazing. I apologize again for the other night.
It’s all right. I’m sorry for upsetting you.
“What’s going on with you two? Why are you standing there staring at each other?” Verna asked.
“We were…thinking,” Psy answered aloud and looked at Cassie. “I thought maybe we could go to Millie’s for dinner.”
She nodded. Sounds good!
“Whoa, whoa,” Verna said. “Not so fast. Cassie, honey, he’s got the mumps. He’ll infect people at the diner.”
“What are mumps?” he asked.
“It’s a viral disease.”
“I don’t have an Earth disease.”
“What you don’t have is immunity.” Verna grabbed her phone and spoke into it. “What are the symptoms of the mumps?”
“Symptoms include swollen, painful salivary glands, fever, headache, fatigue, and appetite loss,” her phone replied.
“I do not have a disease,” he replied. This isn’t how I wished to tell you—but I believe you are my genmate. Swollen glands are a result of that.
I met Wingman and Delia today. They explained about genmates and mating glands. But, what about the other symptoms?
“Under no circumstances should you go to Millie’s and risk infecting everybody,” Verna continued. “Most people got vaccinated as kids, but some folks nowadays don’t believe in vaccines and could get infected. Cassie, were you vaccinated?”
She guessed so. There’d been frequent doctor visits for her vocal cords and other things.
“Probably,” Psy answered for her.
Verna frowned. “How do you know?”
She made a face. She would have to tell Verna later about the telepathy. For now, she jotted on her pad, I’ll check with Mom. She didn’t want Verna to worry.
Her mother would be getting off work soon. Cassie texted, I got all my immunizations as a child, right?
The answer came about a minute later. Yes, of course.
She showed Verna the text.
“That makes me feel better. But he still needs to get checked out.”
Another text from her mother came through. Why?
Verna thinks a customer has mumps.
You should come home.
Since I was vaccinated, I’ll be fine. Remember, I don’t get off until late. Don’t wait up.
Verna takes advantage. She works you too hard.
Sorry, Mom. Battery is low. I have to charge my phone. She switched it off. One little lie, and already it was getting complicated. Now her mother blamed Verna, and her boss was completely innocent. Please let me live my life, she thought. She didn’t want to listen to her mother criticize Psy or Verna.
Your mother disapproves of me? he asked. We’d gotten along fine.
It’s complicated. I was mad. I said too much. She took my side—and now she won’t let go of it. I’m sorry. It’s my fault.
I’m sorry I made you mad.
“You two are staring at each other again,” Verna said. “Listen. Psy—you need to go to a doctor.” She raised her hands as he started to protest again. “If there’s nothing wrong with you, fine. But if you’re walking around with something contagious, you could spread it to humans or other aliens.”
“What I have isn’t communicable. It will go away soon enough,” he replied. “After Cassie and I become intimate, the swelling will recede.”
“It usually does.” Verna guffawed.
Heat flooded Cassie’s face. She’d overheard many graphic and ribald conversations by virtue of the if-she-can’t-speak-she-must-not-hear misconception, but she’d never been the subject of the discussion. Of course, she was educated about sex, and she and her high school boyfriend had made out, but she was still a virgin and wasn’t used to talking about sex openly. She averted her gaze, fearing he’d notice her embarrassment, then realized through the mind link he already knew.
This called for a quick change of subject. She scribbled for Verna, If Psy got examined, would that satisfy you?
“It would make me feel better, yes.” She nodded.
Argent didn’t have medical facilities. Where do you recommend?
“Any urgent care clinic in Coeur d’Alene.”
He shook his head. The med pod at the house can diagnose and treat any illness I might have contracted. I’ll get scanned, and you can report I have a clean bill of health.
I suppose your alien technology is more advanced than our medicine anyway.
Light-years, he telepathed.
Cassie highly doubted he had the mumps, but she would love to see where he lived and an alien medical pod.
Chapter Nine
Psy left Cassie seated on the sofa and dashed to Tigre’s room.
“What happened to your face?” his friend gasped.
“Mating reaction.” He grinned through the pain. “Cassie is here—”
“Oh great! I get to meet her!” Tig
re’s striped face lit up.
“Well, yes, but I came to ask if you can give me a hand operating the med pod?” He gently probed the underside of his jaw. “Cassie’s employer doesn’t understand about how our mating glands react. She worries I could infect other people with an Earth disease called the mumps. She insisted I get a medical evaluation. I promised her I would.” He’d jumped at the chance to get Cassie familiar with the med pod and show he was open to a medical exam. She could see how the unit worked. Then, hopefully, at some point in the future, she’d be receptive to a med scan.
Tigre swished his tail. “Your glandular reaction is more severe than any I’ve seen. The scan is probably a good idea.”
“Veritals are unique.” Psy shrugged.
“All ’Topians are,” he replied.
“True that.”
Cassie leaped up as they entered the living room, her eyes widening at the sight of a grinning Tigre, his saber teeth prominent.
Psy introduced them and then said, “Let’s get the med scan over with and then we can talk.”
They kept the med pod in the dining room, the only space large enough to accommodate it. They didn’t need the room for dining, preferring to eat on trays in front of the TV. They all loved watching television.
Cassie crept up to the med pod and peered through the transparent lid into the capsule. It’s…smaller than I thought it would be. Her face blanched, her eyes rolled back into her head, and her knees buckled.
“Herian!” Psy swore and caught her before she hit the floor. As he started to lift her into his arms to carry her into the living room, she roused. Blinking, she pressed a hand to her head. What’s happened? Why are you holding me?
“You passed out.” Linked to her mind, he should have gotten some forewarning, but there’d been none. One second she was fine, the next she’d keeled over.
“Let’s put her in the med pod.” Tigre opened the hatch.
Cassie thrashed her head and pushed at his chest. No! No. Please don’t—I can’t—
“It’s a good idea,” he said calmly. “You fainted for no apparent reason. We need to find out why.” He still didn’t know if the med pod would work on a human, but it wouldn’t hurt her. And possibly, hopefully it could provide some answers. It might fix her voice…