Page 40 of Whoops-A-Mate From Outer Space
He smiled. “And that is enough.”
I slid from the chair and onto the floor to help him pick up toys. “You really think I helped him that much?”
“I know so.”
I sighed and leaned back against the chair. “I wonder if that’s a good or a bad thing. I don’t know how we’ll be able to stay in contact once my term is up. They’re keeping everything so secretive.”
“Please explain.”
I sighed. “Everything on our side is being handled by the government, and they’ve turned it over to the military. We’re being housed on a secret base. But I’m not part of the military. I’m a college professor and researcher on summer break. I have classes to teach in the fall, and students doing research under my guidance. I only agreed to work with them for a short time.”
“If you value the friendship as much as you seem, then I trust you will find the means.”
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way…” I mused.
“What was that?”
“A human saying. It means that if you’re determined enough, you’ll find a way to make it happen.” I met his gaze, and he smiled.
“I believe you have that will.” He picked up the last of the toys and sorted them into what appeared to be a bin that Eashai kept, and a bag they’d brought with them.
The sound of footsteps. I turned to see Eashai and Tolai returning, a sleeping Naduq nestled against Eashai’s shoulder.
Veeshen stood and brushed off his loose linen-type pants. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Gene,” he said, then he turned to Eashai. “Thank you for dinner. It was as delicious as usual.”
Eashai walked over with a smile and embraced him. He said something in their language, but I could tell by his tone that he was once again congratulating the other man on his pregnancy.
The family spent a moment conversing among themselves, then Veeshen and Tolai turned to me.
“It is my hope that we will meet again,” Veeshen said.
Tolai grinned. “Yes, you must visit again.”
I stood from where I still sat on the floor and walked over. I inclined my head to each of them. “It has been my honor.”
Tolai laughed and pulled me into a hug. “We are friends. There is no need for formality.”
I smiled. “Friends.”
Veeshen closed in for a hug, and I congratulated him on his pregnancy. Then the small family left.
I turned to face Eashai as the door closed behind them. He wore a soft smile that told me more than words ever could, exactly how much his family meant to him.
He turned to me, still wearing the smile. “I should show you to your room. We have an early day tomorrow.”
I nodded. “Ok.”
What would it take for him to always smile like that?
Chapter 8
“You spoke to a large group very well,” Eashai said as we walked down a tree-lined sidewalk leaving the conference center. On the other side of the trees, hovering vehicles passed along a road that seemed to be made of short-cut grass.
I laughed. “I’ve had plenty of practice. Nothing prepares you to speak and answer questions about a topic better than teaching.”
“Do you like teaching?”
I smiled. “I do. Granted, I love the research too, and working at a university is one of the best places to do that. But there’s something special about helping the next generation learn the knowledge and tools that they need. Their eyes light up when they understand something, and it’s beyond satisfying to watch their internal celebrations when they overcome a difficult problem.”
