Page 4 of Manny for the Alien
But here on Earth, their behaviors and customs sometimes made me nervous, so I had started to rely on my home planet’s traditions more and more since moving here.
For example, I was sure that Marco’s staring for so long was not the way that humans normally behaved coming to someone’s home. I was used to the opening pleasantries after living here for two years now. His stammering meant that he was nervous. I thought that was quite sweet considering that my stomach had been in knots all morning with the prospect of having someone new watch my children.
Then there was the fact that when I’d opened that door and seen the man I’d been considering, maybe even hoping, to date, I’d been at a total loss for words myself.
He was of average height, and I supposed average brown hair and eye color. Even his skin was the same medium brown-peach that many humans had. But he was such a lovely creature with expressive eyes and freckles across his nose. He was so exotically human. Like he was earth, whereas I was air.
These romanticized thoughts had a way of distracting me lately.
I cleared my throat and tried to remember how to socialize like a normal person.
“Thank you for coming,” I said. “It’s nice to meet you. I am Hyacinth.”
“Marco,” he said, smiling and offering his hand.
I took it, immediately taken by his warmth and shook.
“This way,” I said, indicating the doors into the kitchen.
Marco followed without saying a word, accompanying me at the table with a tentative smile.
“I like your house,” he informed me. “It’s so normal.”
His cheeked reddened when he said it and he grimaced.
“Not in a bad way, it’s just, you know, because you’re an alien.”
He visibly winced.
“I’ll stop talking now, sorry.”
I had to bite back the urge to laugh. His fumbling was rather adorable.
Marco seemed sweet... and he looked just like his pictures but even nicer in person. His personality shone through his eyes. He was probably the type who couldn’t keep any of his feelings hidden. I liked that.
“Thank you for coming today,” I started. “You said that you have experience with children, right?”
“Uh, kind of,” he said, blushing. “My sister is ten years younger than me and I used to babysit her.”
“I see.”
“I do like kids,” he went on quickly. “I also used to volunteer with the kids soccer team at my high school...”
I nodded thoughtfully.
“The way you are with them matters more than your experience. I just need someone to care for them and treat them kindly while I am at work. Our previous help moved away to attend college and the children miss her dearly. Of course, I do too. I need the help.”
“A single dad with kids and a demanding job, I can believe it.”
I smiled warmly.
“Would you have a problem with staying here?” I asked. “Your food and accommodations of course, will be free. I would prefer live-in help, especially for the youngest.”
He considered and then nodded.
“I don’t mind moving in. But, um, how many of these kids are there?”
“Three,” I informed him. “Azalea is in the first grade. Iris is three now, and Aster is one. The two of them stay home and require the most time… Would you like to meet them?”
