Volunteer (Selected Book 3)

by Robin Roseau

  "I want them to like me," she said. "What if they don't like me?"

  "Then tough for them," I said.

  "You'd have to decide between us. And you'd have to go home to visit them instead of all of us doing things together. I don't want that, Skye. I don't want you to have to decide if you're coming here or going there."

  "We'll make it work," I said. "And I'll let you tickle me later."

  She laughed. "Deal."

  "Audra might let you tickle her, too, but you'll have to be gentler with her."

  "But she's cured."

  "Yes, but she didn't get as much tickling in her younger years. She might get upset far more easily."

  "All right," she said. She squeezed tightly. "You remember the way?"

  "I do," I said.

  I pulled away and dashed up to my room. I'd already picked the blouse for Audra. It was white and loose-fitting, so even if she'd grown, it should still fit her. I had a white pashmina to go with it.

  Posey and Violet were hovering in the entrance on my way out, so I took quick hugs and then hurried, pulling my own blue pashmina over my shoulders. I didn't want to shock mom with too much skin at first.

  I arrived with a few minutes to spare. The jumper bay was on the ground floor and further than the parking garage we normally used, so it was a longer walk, but I made it. The bay was entirely automated; there was no person there. But there was a panel near the door, and Posey had taught me how to use the panel to inquire on the status of inbound traffic. They were just setting down, but then it would take a few minutes to move into the jumper bay.

  I waited, a little nervous, checking the panel far too often.

  Then the doors opened, and one of the jumpers drove in, hovering off the ground, then settling, it's back turned towards me. I waited, and then the ramp lowered. It was another minute before Mom and Audra appeared, standing together, each dragging a rolling suitcase after her.

  I waved, and they both waved back enthusiastically. I waited for them, but when they were halfway to me, I ran to them, throwing my arms around each. We crushed each other in a tight hug.

  "I missed you so much," Mom said into my ear, kissing me.

  "I'm glad you could come," I said. "How was the flight?"

  "We went into space!" Audra said. "We were actually in space, and they gave us visors like they did last time. I slept for part of it, but I watched a lot, too. The pilot was really nice and answered any questions we asked."

  I smiled and pulled away, looking at both of them.

  "You look great," Audra added. "Being a lesbian with a hot alien girlfriend seems good for you."

  "Smartass," I said. I paused. "Thanks, Squirt. You're right. But you look good, too. All right. We have to talk about something, and then we can go. Mom, they hug."

  She offered a pained expression.

  "That's what I thought," I said. "Will you let them hug you without the tentacles? You'd be missing something, but I understand."

  "They can hug me," she said. "Um. With their tentacles. It doesn't hurt, does it?"

  "Mom, they want you to be comfortable. It's going to gross you out, isn't it?"

  "I'm sorry, honey."

  "It's fine. Okay? It's fine."

  "I don't want to embarrass you."

  "It's fine, Mom." I turned to Audra. "What about you?"

  "I get a hug?"

  "Lots of hugs," I said. "How do you feel about that?"

  "Will they let me look at their, um. Tentacles?"

  "Yes."

  "Will it embarrass them if I stare?"

  "Probably. Stare if you want to."

  She laughed.

  "Mom, Audra has to use the bathroom."

  "No, I don't."

  "Yes, you do," I said. "If you wait out here, we'll be right back." Then I took Audra's hand and pulled her away. She left her bag with Mom, and I led her to the bathroom just off the jumper bay. It was large and very clean and comfortable.

  "I don't have to go to the bathroom, Skye."

  "I know you don't, but I wanted to talk to you without grossing Mom out."

  "Oh." She giggled. "Okay."

  I pulled her in, locked the door, and turned to her. "Do you want the full experience?"

  She sobered. "I don't know what that means."

  "The Catseye are very physical," I said. "I get touched by all of them a lot."

  "With their tentacles."

  "Yes." I dropped the pashmina and turned around, watching over my shoulder. "I don't know if there are marks."

  She stepped closer and brushed fingers on my back. "These are sucker marks. There are just a few. They look old."

  "They've been careful today. The first time I visited, my back was covered."

  "Does it hurt?"

  "No." I turned around.

  "I haven't seen a shirt like that before," she said.

  "I have one for you. You don't have to wear it."

  She stared at the shirt in my hand. "But you want me to," she said in a careful tone.

  "I saw your reaction when we had our video call. I think you're just as fascinated as I was."

  "It's so cool!" she said. "Mom is going to freak."

  I waved the pashmina. "A little at a time," I said. "Yeah, Mom is going to freak. Bluebell told me to take care of you and let her take care of Mom."

  Audra smiled. "It looks comfortable."

  "There's more to tell you. Let me hug you." I did, and when I did, I wrapped an arm around her head, brushing her cheek with my finger. Then I released her. "They do that, but their tentacles are longer than arms, so it's not exactly like that. I can tell them to tone it down."

  "They'll hug my face?"

  "Caress."

  "You let them?"

  "Yes. Um. There's a little more. They'll lay a tentacle across your lips. And if you kiss it, um. They slide it into your mouth. It tastes weird at first."

  "You're serious."

  "Don't bite!"

  She laughed. "Is it gross?"

  "Weird. Not gross. I really, really like it, Audra, but you might not. Now, how far do you want this to go?"

  "It's not, like, sex or something, is it?"

  "No. It's just a hug. Sort of."

  She nodded. "Give me the shirt." She was actually dressed nicely, so she took off one blouse and put another on. Then she frowned. "You're not wearing a bra are you?"

  "No. My dresses have one integrated."

  "The strap shows."

  "Yes."

  "Mom is going to freak." She reached behind then pulled the bra out. "What do I do with it?"

  "Give it here," I said. I folded it and hid it in my hand. "I'll distract Mom. You take it back and stuff it into your suitcase."

  "Okay."

  I slipped the pashmina over her shoulders, shrugged mine back into place, and told her she looked great.

  "Mom is scared to hell," Audra said. "Skye, I get to go skiing!" She shrieked the last word.

  "Yeah, Squirt, if the doctors approve. If not, then we'll go somewhere with sun and swimming and stuff instead. That would be fun, too, and you'll be disappointed, but get over it. Right?"

  "Right," she said.

  And then we left the bathroom, arm in arm.

  I loved my little sister.

  Mom was waiting for us near the door, both suitcases side by side. She saw that Audra had changed. "Bathroom, hmm?"

  "Girl talk," I said. "You wouldn't understand."

  "Hey!" Mom complained. She narrowed her eyes, and that was when Audra took the bra from behind my back. I kept Mom's attention, and Audra stuffed it away then stood up.

  "If you two are done, can we go? I want to meet Skye's girlfriend!"

  * * * *

  Outside the door, I could see Mom was really nervous. I turned to her. "Are you afraid of meeting Catseye, or are you afraid they won't like you?"

  "I'm afraid I'll embarrass you, honey. I'm just a cook."

  "You're my mom, and you helped to make both of us into the
women we are. You're about the best mom we could have had. Isn't that right, Audra?"

  "Yep. And you're a really, really good cook, Mom. You make the best food."

  "But they're... And I'm..."

  "Mom, do you trust my judgment?"

  "Yes."

  "Then trust my judgment. These are good people, and they are dying to make you feel at home. Okay?"

  "Okay, honey. I'll try."

  "All right," I said. "Squirt, they do very formal introductions. You should wait quietly until I introduce you. Okay?"

  "Okay."

  "Very good." I stepped forward and opened the door. We filed in, and I closed the door and turned.

  The Catseye were in a row, Bluebell down to Violet, slightly apart to facilitate individual introductions and hugs. Tentacles were out, and quivering a little, but I could tell they were trying to hold them somewhat still. That was probably better than waving them wildly.

  Mom was staring, and so was Audra.

  We'd agreed on a signal. Audra wearing the shirt was a partial signal. I took the pashmina from her shoulders and set it aside, also shrugging out of my own. That was a second signal. And then I played with my hair. That was the last signal. Bluebell nodded fractionally.

  I let everyone stare, then I stepped forward, around Mom, coming to a stop partway between her and Bluebell. "Mom, this is Bluebell Beamer, my professor." I held out my hand so Mom would step forward and take it. "Bluebell, this is my mother, Carmen Andrews."

  Bluebell stepped forward. Mom watched her carefully, and I saw her gulp.

  "Be welcome in our home, Carmen," Bluebell said. "We couldn't be more overjoyed you could come."

  "Thank you," Mom said. But she stared at the tentacles.

  "They are intimidating," Bluebell said. "I am sorry for that."

  "It's not that." She glanced at me. I was watching her carefully, but I didn't know how to help. Then she turned back. "My daughter said you would want to hug."

  "We can hug in the human fashion, but perhaps you do not care for touching at all. I know some humans do not."

  Mom stepped forward further, and Bluebell took her into her arms, keeping the tentacles free. They hugged briefly, then Mom stepped back. "Thank you for bringing us here, and for everything you've done for my daughter."

  "You are welcome," Bluebell said. She glanced at me, but Mom wasn't done.

  "Could I touch one?"

  "Of course." Bluebell brought one of her lower tentacles across in front of her, calming it, and holding it midway between them. "The thicker part is very strong, but the tip is delicate. It is strong, but consider it like a human finger, and perhaps one easily bruised."

  Mom reached out tentatively with just a few fingers and touched the back of Bluebell's tentacle, about where a human forearm would be. She drew back. "It's not slimy. I thought they would be slimy."

  "We produce an oil, but it is voluntary," Bluebell explained.

  "I-" Mom swallowed. "I am sorry, but that will take me some getting used to."

  "We understand, Carmen." Then Bluebell glanced her eyes at me, and I took Mom's arm.

  "Mom, this is Azalea."

  We moved down the line. Mom took delicate human hugs from each of them, but when she arrived at Violet, she said, "Your eyes are stunning."

  "Thank you," Violet said. They hugged, and Mom whispered something to Violet. Then they parted.

  I moved back to the front of the line, collecting Audra. Mom watched on. I leaned down into Audra's ear. "You don't have to kiss the tentacle."

  She nodded understanding, and then we stepped forward. I performed the introduction. Audra stepped forward, watching the tentacles, and then her composure broke.

  "Those are so, so cool! Are you really going to hug me with them?"

  "If you will let me."

  "Yes," Audra said.

  Bluebell enveloped her, although she aimed Audra's face so it was shielded from Mom. I saw Audra kiss the tentacle, and Bluebell slipped it into Audra's mouth, but only a short distance.

  They hugged for a long time, the tentacles adjusting and holding, adjusting and holding.

  Mom stared the entire time, her hand over her mouth, but she didn't say a word, and she didn't interrupt. But I got a glare. I think she wasn't pleased about the shirt.

  Finally Bluebell released Audra, although they held hands for a minute, looking at each other.

  "Skye told me you do that a lot."

  "We are very physically affectionate within our family, Audra."

  "Am I family?"

  "We hope so."

  "Good. I liked that."

  "I am glad. I liked it, too."

  I collected Audra, and we moved down the line. Posey held her for a long time, too, and I could see her tentacle was much deeper, but Audra didn't complain.

  Then they separated, and Posey said, "Thank you, Audra."

  "You can hug me, too," Audra said.

  Again, Violet was last. Audra was practically bouncing. She stepped quickly into the hug, and she was extra tight. I saw her whisper to Violet, and then the tentacle was there, and she kissed.

  Of all the hugs, this was the longest, and I think it was because Audra held on so tightly. When they separated, Audra whispered again, and then she stepped to Violet's side, but they held hands.

  I thought that was amazingly sweet.

  I gave the tour. In the kitchen, Mom looked around then turned to Bluebell. "I had hoped to cook, but I don't know how to use this kitchen."

  "We can show you," Bluebell said.

  "Can you eat the foods I make?"

  "Yes, we can."

  Mom smiled. "Good."

  When I got a chance, I whispered to Bluebell, "That's really important to her."

  "I know," she said. "The preparation of food is an important ritual in many cultures. For us, it is the sharing of food that is a ritual, but we understand the importance of preparation rituals. Will she accept company?"

  "Yes, but anyone in the kitchen gets put to work."

  "Good," Bluebell responded. "You will let me worry about this. See to your sister."

  "Yes, of course."

  We showed them everything. It was the Catseye way to give fairly complete tours. I even showed them all the controls in the bathroom.

  "Mom," I said. "This is Violet's room, but it's yours while we're here."

  "Thank you, Violet."

  "I made room for your things," Violet said. She showed Mom. "If you need more, I can make more."

  "This is perfect," Mom said. She didn't ask where Violet would be sleeping. She wasn't stupid.

  At Posey's room, I told Audra, "This is Posey's room, but it is yours during the visit. However, we have an offer for you."

  "Where is Posey going to sleep?"

  "Well, we have slumber parties. Did you see the size of the bed in my room?"

  "You sleep with both of them?"

  "It's a slumber party between friends," I said. "And so you have a choice. You can sleep in here, or-"

  "Slumber party!" She said. "Really?"

  "Really."

  "Yes!" She hugged me, then Violet and Posey in turn.

  "You can leave your things in here," Posey said. "And if the bed in Skye's room proves too small, we'll adjust."

  "We'll fit," Audra said.

  "I bet we will," Posey agreed.

  Bluebell took over after that, leading us downstairs to the living room. She repeated her desire for everyone to feel welcome. "There are a few things I must say. First, we consider Skye a member of our family, a sort of adopted daughter. We are not taking her from you, Carmen, but we hope you will share."

  "Of course," said Mom.

  "We would also like to consider both of you as part of the family, not guests."

  Mom didn't know what to make of that, but she nodded.

  "For food, we eat human food, and it is completely safe, but we usually spice it with spices you won't care for. However, while you are here, we will have only foods
that humans eat and enjoy. You should be perfectly safe. We won't poison you."

  "I hadn't thought about that, but thank you for telling us," Mom replied.

  "I imagine you are tired, but we're going to keep you up a little longer to help with the jet lag." Mom nodded at that. "We have dinner coming shortly. Tonight is catered so we didn't need to be concerned with it."

  "That is very gracious."

  Bluebell looked at Audra. "Your appointment is tomorrow morning after breakfast." Then she turned back to Mom. "We are not normally a medical clinic, and it would normally be unusual for family to attend, but I believe both you and Skye should come."

  "Thank you," Carmen said.

  "We have nothing specific planned for tomorrow after lunch or Sunday. We thought we should spend the time getting to know each other. But if there was something anyone wanted to do, we can discuss it. We thought we should keep you here long enough for your body to adjust to local time so you'll be just as jet lagged as us when we arrive in Austria."

  That generated snickers all around.

  "Can we drive out to Mount Holyoke?" I asked. "Or fly?"

  "Of course," said Bluebell. "Any other requests? Perhaps we should see a show in New York. It isn't far."

  "Could we..." Audra trailed off.

  "You should ask, Squirt," I said. "It's okay."

  "Skye-" Mom said, beginning to scold me.

  "Carmen," Azalea said, "Your daughter is correct. For us, this time is about getting to know each other. But shared activities is an important part of that. Ask, Audra."

  "Could we see where you landed that first day?"

  "We weren't there," Azalea said. "But yes. We could take you there. It is also in New York. There is even a plaque where the first shuttle landed."

  "Azalea works at the United Nations," I said. "Is it open over the weekend?"

  "Yes," Azalea said. "Diplomacy never stops."

  "Carmen, was there anything you wanted to do?" Bluebell asked.

  "I just wanted to see my daughter," Mom said. "Seeing her school is good, too."

  "Then I will suggest this," said Bluebell. "In the morning, we will have breakfast and then see to Audra's appointment. Then we will fly to New York. We will have lunch there, then visit the United Nations. I would like to see a show. Who would like to see a show?"

  A lot of hands went up. Audra's stayed down. We all turned to her.