Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134725 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 674(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
“All good,” Zane told me.
“Did you get some sleep?”
“A bit.”
He’d shaved off that five o’clock shadow he’d been sporting the day before and he didn’t even look tired. He looked good. He had on a black skin-tight t-shirt that looked like it was made of spandex and dark brown corduroy-style pants that were loose fitting but looked amazing on him. He wore cowboy style boots.
“Do you need a nap?” I asked.
“No. Do you?”
“I could probably use one. I didn’t sleep so well. I’ll just bring my things back to your bedroom,” I said.
“You can put them down and advise a robot to take them, or put them in any supply closet and they’ll be put back into inventory.”
“Oh. Um, could you actually follow me to your bedroom? I need to talk to you and that’s probably the best place to do it.” My heart began galloping.
“Lead the way, shortcake.”
***
He sat down on the couch at the end of the bed, patting the spot beside him. I sat down.
He caressed my face. “If you want more sleep, go ahead and take a nap.”
“Um, I’ll tough it out and wait till tonight. I don’t have time for a nap.”
“No? Got somewhere to be?” he asked with a smirk.
I swallowed hard. “Not exactly.” I started to tremble.
His smile vanished. “What’s wrong, Tanya?”
“A couple things actually. First, um, I’ve been thinking and trying to figure out what to do about Chili,” I said.
“And that’s making your body tremble like this?” He looked at me, eyes filled with concern.
“No, but … just… maybe it’s better if he does go to one of those farms where he can bond with other animals like him. I just… I don’t know if we can make some arrangement for me and Ollie to visit and see him, or…”
“No.”
I stopped talking and looked at him questioningly.
“I’m building something here. The house is already under renovations on the forest side. There will be an enclosure for him, a large one, and safeguards to prevent him from damaging the house. If necessary, we’ll get other fuschillas to keep him company and try to give him his own tribe where maybe he’ll think of all of us as an extension of that and not get so… panicked when he’s not with us.”
My lips parted in surprise.
“Is that okay with you?” He looked like he was fighting a smile.
“I thought for sure you’d send him packing.”
“You thought I’d send you packing because you got drunk, which was as much my fault as yours. You think I’d send him packing because he acted just like his species acts? You think so little of me, shortcake? I’d just end relationships with anyone who angers or frustrates or disappoints me?”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I said.
“How did you mean it?”
I shrugged.
“I’m still learning about life on Earth and I have a lot to learn, but here on Phallyx, we don’t give up on one another so easily. That little monster obviously means something to you and he’s growing on all of us. We’ll adapt.”
I pulled my lips tight.
“Hey?” he called out.
I looked at him.
He caressed my cheek. “What would you like to do today?”
I bit my lip and leaned into his hand. I felt like I was about to cry.
“We can’t have you wandering with the threats out there, but we could go visit Quid and Elaina perhaps? Maybe it’d be nice for you to meet someone who’s from where you’re from and who can give you some insight into life here on Phallyx.”
“Um…”
He waited.
I blew out a breath. “Can we not do that today? Maybe another day?”
“Okay. Spar, Ollie’s other grandfather, he’s also asking for us to visit. Not sure how that’ll go with Treya, his new wife, but---”
I cut him off. “Zane, I really have to tell you something.”
He waited, concern etching his features. My trembling revved up some more. Okay, here goes everything…
“I need the vaccination. I … I hate that I have to even bring it up, but... I need it soon. Really soon.”
“What vaccination?
This was embarrassing.
“The one to make sure I don’t catch the virus.”
“What?”
“The virus that killed all the women here.”
“There’s no vaccination for that, Tanya. What are you talking about?”
“There is. Um…” God, this was humiliating. I tried to look at him while speaking, but it was just so mortifying, so I stared at the wall and continued. “We Earth women: we have to have sex with one of you to get the antibodies against the flu and we have 72 hours from arrival. I’m sorry to leave this to the last minute, but… I only have about six or so hours left until I’m susceptible.”
“What?” His raised voice made my eyes meet his. He was looking at me like I was crazy.
“Antibodies. From your … you know. Sperm.”
His head jerked in surprise.