Page 25 of Malliko
Closing the fridge, she came to stand in front of me. “Yes, I’m paid to help you. The long green ones are called cucumbers and you can get as many as you want to in the supermarket.”
“But…”
Shaking her head, Tania cut me off. “I don’t want to hear about how things are different on Eidrona and all you have to do is press some buttons and then your food storage is magically filled by others. We have the option of home delivery as well, but I prefer to do my own shopping and today I’m showing you how it’s done. It will be a learning experience for you to walk around in a supermarket and pick out your own produce.”
I pushed up from the comfy sofa and told her, “Did anyone ever tell you how bossy you are?”
“Yes, many times.” Placing her hands on her hips, Tania declared, “It comes with being the babysitter of visiting aliens. Most of you are helpless, ruthless, and a handful to keep track of.”
“I’m not ruthless.”
“Yes, you are when you start interviewing a poor woman about her sex life as if that’s a normal thing to do. You’re lucky that she didn’t slap you for being obnoxious.”
“I’m just trying to learn. I would love to know about your sex life too. It’s why I came. I need to ask questions to understand humans.”
Tania pointed at me. “Unless I choose to sleep with you, my sex life is none of your business.”
“What do you mean?” I asked with confusion because I was sure she told me yesterday that nothing would happen between us, but I had to be sure. “Is this your way of telling me that you are interested in sleeping with me?”
“Noo.” She wrinkled her nose. “I told you I’m done with Eidron men. I’ve learned my lesson.”
“Good. Because I’m not here to sleep with women and my taste is…” I stopped myself before I said anything more. Still, Tania’s nostrils expanded, and her lips tightened as she took a step closer to me. “Were you going to say that I’m not attractive?”
“No. You are. It’s just that my taste is… different.”
“Different how?”
“You’re very fit and athletic like me. I prefer softer women.”
Tania narrowed her eyes. “Why?”
“I don’t know. It’s always been that way with me. Maybe because the few women I’ve had access to as a soldier were as toned and hard-muscled as me. Soft, feminine curves are extremely appealing to most Eidron men. Maybe because it’s so rare to find among our women.”
Tania stared at me as if waiting to take back my words, but it was the truth.
“Just to clarify. Would you say no to sex with a fit women if she offered herself to you?”
I thought about it. “Why? Are you offering yourself to me?”
“Yes, Malliko.” A small seductive smile spread on Tania’s face, and she reached out to touch my shirt. “I’m offering myself to you…” As soon as she said it her face hardened and she continued, “As your guide to the local supermarket. Put your shoes on and let’s go.”
CHAPTER 8
Home Life
Clara
Parking my old car in front of the rundown apartment buildings would be a lot easier if I didn’t have to squeeze it in between the neighbors’ large trucks. They overcompensated for the fact that they were poor by showing off with trucks they couldn't afford that had excessive accessories that they didn't need. As if any woman would ever be impressed by a truck that could jump and had tires twice the size of normal tires. It wasn't that I didn't sympathize with these men's desire to impress and attract females. After all, I understood what it’s like to be lonely. But I also knew what it meant to pay your bills and I was raised better than to live beyond my means.
I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I would love to live in a fancy house with pool and a walk-in closet with designer clothes. But most of all I wanted to be the fun mom who could afford to take my sons places and deliver a lifestyle that they would enjoy.
Not surprisingly, my two-bedroom apartment in this sketchy part of town where my sons shared a room wasn't as attractive as their father’s large home in Beverly Hills.
Instead of spending time with their exhausted and overworked mom, they preferred their father’s hip, young, and beautiful girlfriend Shanice, who as far as I knew didn't work at all.
My chest tightened from thinking of the unfairness of trying to compete for my sons’ love. The emotional distress of missing my boys spread as a burning sensation to my stomach like an ember slowly exploding into a dangerous forest fire.
There was no use in getting bitter about the fact that I never had the opportunity to be the full-time mom I longed to be. When I was with Jeremy, I had been the one paying the bills by working two jobs and doing most of the housework on top of that.
