Page 17 of Soros
She bit her lip. “I don’t know.”
I showed Star how the TV worked and how to flush the toilet for when she needed to use it. Star kept staring at things as if she could make them work using her mind, but that part was normal for aliens who first arrived on Earth.
When the food came, I took pleasure in seeing her excitement.
“Do you think my mother ate something like this?” she asked.
“A burger? Yes, I’m sure. They are very normal on Earth. At least in this part of the world.”
She pulled out a pickle and turned it and sniffed it. “This has a peculiar taste.”
“You don’t like it?”
She put it down on the plate and took another bite of the burger that I had split in two.
“Try these. They’re called French fries.”
I watched her face when she tried her first bite. “I know, right?” I said because I could tell she liked the taste. “They’re good. Try dipping them in this. There’s aioli and chili mayo. Both taste amazing with French fries.”
We ended our feast with a delicious blueberry muffin and a triple chocolate brownie.
“So, what do you think?” I asked Star, who leaned back with a hand to her stomach.
“I think I ate way too much. Earth food is really good.”
As always when aliens praised something on Earth, I felt proud.
“Come on. Let’s go pick out some bikinis and try out that spa area that the receptionist talked about.”
Star followed me without question, and she looked stunning in the bikini that she picked out. I chose a navy-blue bikini, which complimented my skin tone. We were just leaving the shop when Lios, Nerix, and Soros walked into the lobby.
“Oh, hey.” I avoided looking at Soros and directed my question at Nerix and Lios. “How did the meeting go?”
Lios gave me a short reply. “We’ll tell you in private.” Looking down at the small bag in my hand, he asked, “What’s going on? We thought you might be sleeping by now.”
“It’s only eight p.m. local time. Star and I ate dinner and now we’re going to relax in the spa.”
“What’s a spa?” Nerix wanted to know.
Star was quick to repeat the description that I had given her earlier. “It’s a place that makes your soul go ahhh…”
All three men looked from Star to me, and it made me sigh and elaborate. “It’s a wellness place with water and steam baths. Look, I know we’re on a mission to find a monster, but we’ve all been under a ton of pressure and stress. Star could use some decompression to her system and frankly, so could I.”
Lios shifted his weight. “Yes, I think we all could use some decompression. Let’s all go to this magical place that makes our souls go ahhh…” The crooked smile on Lios’ face when he said the last part made him look boyish for a change. Usually, the Ugon captain was serious and focused.
I bought three pair of swim trunks for the men and showed them to our rooms. “Star and I are sleeping in this room,” I said and pointed to the first door. Let me just get you the key cards and then you can figure out who sleeps in which room.”
“I’m staying in my own room. Captain’s privilege,” Lios said.
“I’m not a soldier under your command,” Soros reminded him.
Nerix groaned. “Can’t we just get one more room if it’s such a pain to share a room with me?”
“We asked, but they’re sold out,” I explained to Nerix in an apologetic tone.
Star surprised me with her resolute declaration, “Then I’m sharing a room with Nerix. No one should feel unwanted.”
Nerix’s gaze softened as he looked at Star. “That’s sweet, but you don’t have to do that.”
