Page 7 of Alien Haven

“He got sick. At its beginning, Haven was a lot different from how it is now. The Kalquorian governor, a Dramok named Ospar, was eager to help the residents in any way he could. He was limited in that respect since Haven’s original charter meant we Earthers had to rely on our human governor. Governor Hoover was tightfisted when it came to aid. He acted as if the money came out of his own pocket. A real ‘pull yourself up by your own bootstraps’ type, and tough luck if you couldn’t afford boots in the first place.”

“Sounds similar to what they have on Mercy and New Bethlehem. He would have been an Earthtique,” Charity supposed.

“No doubt. When Jesse got sick, we’d just planted our first crop. There wasn’t money for him to see a doctor. So he didn’t and…” Sara’s hands splayed wide.

“Assholes,” Charity muttered. She blushed when she realized she’d said it out loud.

Sara grinned. “I had a few nasty names to call Hoover and his gang. Jesse should still be here. Hedeservesto be here. It’s funny to think so when I love Groteg and Utber, but it’s how it is.”

She gazed into her coffee. “They and Amgar showed up in my hour of need. They made sure me and the kids were taken care of. Knights in shining armor, pretty much. When I realized I was starting to feel more for them than gratitude, I was shocked. I’d recently buried my poor Jesse. I’d just had his baby. How could I fall in love again so fast?”

“It wasn’t the same love as what you and Jesse had.” Charity prompted when she paused, swept up by the tale.

Sara smiled at her, surprised. “You’re right. It wasn’t pie-in-the-sky. It wasn’t a couple of kids who were too dumb to think their future through. For me and Clan Amgar, it was a mature love between people who’d seen the worst of what life could throw at us.” She thought, trying to put together the right words.

She must have found them because she added, “I saw Clan Amgar as they were. The fact they were stable and loyal and kind was a plus…but they had their shortcomings, as I do. Instead of wanting to mold them to fit my ideals, the way I had with Jesse, I was willing to take them as they were. I loved them for who they were, imperfections and all. I guess I’d grown up.”

“They weren’t unhappy you couldn’t give them kids of their own? It was a big deal to Kalquorians at one point.”

“Careful. Don’t suggest to Groteg and Utber those three fiends of mine aren’t theirs too. They’ll take it personally.”

“Really?”

“Right from the start, they and Amgar adored the children. When they asked me to clan, they asked Adam too. Tori and James were too young to understand what was going on, but Adam accepted them for fathers on his and his siblings’ behalf.”

“Wow. No jealousy?”

“Adam was scared and looking for security. He was lost without Jesse. He clung to my clanmates probably for all the wrong reasons at the beginning, but they’ve come to mean what they should to him.”

“That’s wonderful.” Charity couldn’t imagine being so accepting had her father remarried after her mother’s death, but she’d been older than Adam when she’d lost her parent.

“James never knew Jesse, of course. Tori took to Clan Amgar almost immediately. Especially Groteg. She’s a total daddy’s girl where he’s concerned.” Sara chuckled, her earlier sadness gone. “So my clanmates are their fathers, and they’re excellent ones. The biological question doesn’t come up.”

“It sounds like you got lucky,” Charity said.

“Definitely, though losing Amgar and Jesse…I’ve wondered if I’m cursed. At any rate, it makes me appreciate Groteg and Utber.” Sara shook her head, as if to dispel the subject from her mind as well as the conversation. “Speaking of men, what’s the scoop on the cutie who rode in on the shuttle with you? Dramok Ilid?”

“I wish I knew,” Charity sighed. “He’s so nice. He has this weird hint of tragedy too.”

“Weird? In what way?”

“I don’t know. Every now and then he looks haunted.” She snorted. “It’s probably a case of me being romantic and dramatic. I’m dying for a taste of passionate excitement, I guess. A riveting tale of the wounded soul aching to be healed.” Charity struck a theatrical pose, her hand to her brow.

Sara snickered. “You should have asked.”

“I considered it, but it felt wrong to interrogate him for too many personal details since I’m hiding who I am.” Regret tugged at her anew.

“His parent clan seemed stable. They were protective of you.”

“Clan Codab are absolute sweethearts. My whole take on Ilid’s tale of some fascinating past woe is probably sheer fantasy. Seriously, how messed up is it to find the idea of a damaged man fascinating?”

“No more messed up than a couple of teenage kids eloping the night of their high school graduation and running from home just because they were desperately bored and unhappy.” Sara sipped the last of her coffee and checked the time. “Goodness, I need to get a move on and do some work.”

Charity stood. “Point me to what you want done once you’ve armed yourself with all available patience.”

Sara laughed. “To the cellar then. We’ll bring up some potatoes and onions to prep for Utber. Then you can see your room and unpack.”

Charity was happy to follow her hostess. The worst of her angst at having to stay on Planet Farm Hell had disappeared, thanks to having Sara to talk to.

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