Page 71 of Malliko
“Are you ready?” she asked just a second before the hatch opened and dropped us into space.
This wasn’t the usual controlled way of departing the research ship and I wondered why she chose such a rough way of piloting the ship.
The shuttle kept dropping in altitude and as a skilled pilot I didn’t like how wild and reckless it seemed.
“You’re definitely not flying my ship,” Lios said and made a face from the pain in his ears.
Just then, Cacala took command of the shuttle and calmed the flying for a second before she steered us toward the blue planet. Just like she did with me she took us underwater, above mountains, and showed us some fantastic cities. When we finally landed, she turned to the two others. “If you want to say that you’ve touched Earth with your feet, get out fast and stay by the shuttle. The humans won’t allow you to leave without a permit and only Malliko has one. They’ll ask you to get back inside the shuttle, but by then you have reached your goal of visiting the planet.”
Lios and Nerix took the opportunity to stretch their legs while I stayed a minute longer in the shuttle and asked her:
“What was that dropping through the sky about?”
Cacala’s left eyebrow cocked upward as she smiled. “The Ugon annoyed me, and I knew they have more sensitive ears than we do.”
“But I thought you had a thing for Ugons. Last time you took me down to Earth, didn’t you say you met a cute one?”
“I did but looks aren’t everything. I don’t like anyone questioning my skills as a pilot.”
As I said my goodbyes and walked out of the military base to find transportation to my apartment, I thought about Cacala’s words. Her hazardous actions had been a result of her wounded pride and a display of emotions worthy of a human. How many times had I heard that expression growing up? To display emotions like a human was just another way of saying that someone was too much.
We Eidrons didn’t cry or shout in public. Disturbing the peace like that wasn’t done.
Getting into a taxi I gave the driver my address and looked out the window as I pondered the cultural differences. I hadn’t seen many humans cry or scream in public either. Maybe we weren’t that far apart as I’d been led to believe or maybe humans had developed faster than we realized.
I would have to talk to Tania and even though both Lios and my captain had recommended that I stay away from Clara, I already knew that wasn’t an option.
CHAPTER 21
The Truth or a Convenient Lie
Clara
It had been two days since Jeremy informed me about our boys relocating with him to Hong Kong. I’d spoken to Keith and Jamison several times and taken time to listen and ask them enough questions to feel sure that they wanted to go.
Sitting in a park, I looked around. It was nice to be out of my apartment, and this place was like a lush oasis, with towering trees, vibrant flowers, and a tranquil lake surrounded by benches and picnic tables. With plenty of pathways to explore it was a favored place for joggers and families. I watched them go by with babies in strollers and kids pedaling little bikes. A couple in their late twenties held hands and shared a kiss that made me look away.
Why was life seemingly so easy for everyone else?
I saw a tall man running who reminded me of Malliko and as he came closer, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Malliko had brought me out of my comfort zone and even though it had all been based on lies, he had at least for a short while made me feel like I was finally experiencing something amazing.
The tall runner passed the bench where I sat. He wasn’t as handsome as Malliko, but then no one really was.
Getting up, I walked aimlessly, unsure what I was hoping to find. If my sons moved out of Los Angeles, then there was no need for me to stay here either. I could go back to New Mexico where my family lived.
I chewed on that thought for a while until I decided that there wasn’t a pull in me to move back home. Not least because listening to my mother brag about my brother was tiring. From my state of sadness, a feeling emerged that felt almost too forbidden to put into words. If my sons chose to move and didn’t need me anymore, then I could live anywhere I wanted to. I could even go abroad.
Since I got pregnant as a senior in high school, I’d put the well-being of my children above anything else in this world. I had pushed aside my dreams, goals, and ambitions. My sole focus had been to support my family and care for my children.
What would I do if there were no one depending on me?
In reality, it had been my situation since Jeremy won custody of our boys. And yet I had built my identity on being a mom and done everything in my power to show my kids that I would always be there for them. We used to talk daily and do fun things on my weekends with them, but ever since they started high school there had been a decline in interest from their side. It was natural for teenagers. I knew that and yet it hurt because I missed them so much.
Maybe it was truly time for me to dive down into the engine room of my own psyche and switch around some fuses. If the mom component wasn’t needed as much, then I could focus on other parts of me.
I could travel.
I could experience other cultures.
