The Circle

by Kat Mayor

  “It’s kind of complicated. We are technically related. We’re kind of like distant cousins, but when we were relocated to Sentria, God altered our essence.”

  “Your essence? What’s that?”

  “You would call it DNA. Let me give you an example. In order to survive on my planet, we needed the ability to stay cool because it’s very warm, and to be very strong due to the dense atmosphere and strong gravitational pull. In these aspects we are genetically different. And my people believe that makes us better.”

  “You call it genetic difference, but aren’t they really genetic improvements?”

  “Not all of them. Remember we do have a shortened life-span and poor eyesight. On Sentria, the light of our sun is very dim, and with three moons, it’s only slightly darker at night than during the day. That’s why we’re blind as bats.”

  “Well, what about your super ears?” Lilly asked.

  “No, that’s actually not a trait most Sentrians share. We call it supersonos. The average Sentrian has hearing equal to or marginally better than the average Earthan. About one in a thousand Sentrians is a supersonos. But I am exceptional even among that subset. I can hear spoken conversations up to a mile away if I really concentrate.”

  “It must make it hard to sleep with all that noise.”

  “It’s pretty easy, actually. Supersonos have the ability to filter out extraneous noises and only hear the sounds they choose.”

  Lilly looked down. “What?” Charlie asked.

  “It’s kind of embarrassing. Before I knew about your super ears, I had some conversations with Beth that I know you overheard.”

  Charlie smiled. “Liliana, I don’t deliberately eavesdrop. I filter out conversation unless there is something critical I need to know, or danger is involved. Like with Dan attacking you. Occasionally some communication comes through, but I don’t go out of my way to listen in to other people’s conversations.”

  Lilly wasn’t sure she bought that. If she had that ability, she knew she would use it to her advantage. “OK, but that still doesn’t explain why Sentrians have such hostility and disdain for Earthans. I mean I heard Evelyn refer to me as a ‘low-class, sweaty Earthan,’ and she called me ‘it.’”

  “You remembered that, huh?” Lilly nodded. “Sorry about that. I’m afraid most Sentrians think they are superior to Earthans. Since we are a branch of your genetic tree, we kind of view Earthans as the prototype and ourselves as the second generation. To most Sentrians, Earthans will always be backward, violent brutes.” Charlie glanced over at Liliana to see if he had offended her and was relieved to see her smiling.

  “So you’re really slumming, going out with me,” she said.

  ***

  In an attempt to limit Charlie’s free time over spring break, Louis decided to keep him busy with extra projects. On Monday he had Charlie wash all the windows and replace the light bulbs all around the house and in the attic. Helen stayed home to supervise.

  That night, as usual, Charlie slipped out to see Lilly. When he arrived, Michelle was still at work. Lilly put in a movie, and they sat on the couch to watch it. Actually, they weren’t watching it at all. Lilly was far more interested in Charlie’s lips and his warm embrace. He leaned over her and ran his fingers through her hair. Making out with Lilly was the highlight of his day. Charlie was blowing kisses into her ear when he heard Michelle’s car driving toward the house. He jumped up, smoothed his hair down, and wiped Lilly’s strawberry lip gloss off his lips. Lilly sat up straight on the couch, and Charlie sat down in the chair across from her. They both tried to look interested in the movie.

  “Hey, guys,” Michelle said. “What are you doing?”

  “Watching a movie,” Lilly said. She began twirling her hair with her finger.

  Michelle looked around at the living room. There was a full bowl of popcorn on the coffee table, obviously untouched, and a freshly made butt impression on the sofa cushion next to Lilly. Michelle touched the cushion and found that it was warm. “What’s this movie about?”

  Charlie looked at Lilly. He had no idea. “Well, Mom, it’s an action movie,” Lilly said, twirling her hair faster.

  “Who’s in it?” Again Charlie looked to Lilly to answer.

  “That guy from that other movie, you know. Right, Charlie?” Charlie nodded.

  “So why is that guy chasing the lady in the yellow Camaro?” Michelle asked, pointing at the television.

  Charlie shrugged.

  “You know, Mom. It’s not a very good movie. It really didn’t hold our interest.” She felt her face turn red. Busted.

  Michelle nodded. “Look, guys, I allow you two to hang out here because you’re both eighteen, and responsible, and because you’ve never given me a reason to distrust you. And with my work schedule, I really don’t have much of a choice. But I wasn’t born yesterday. I know that when I’m not here, you aren’t just holding hands and making eyes at each other.”

  Charlie stood up then. “Mrs. Garcia, I’m sorry. I was kissing Liliana, but I swear that’s all.”

  “Charlie, I don’t mind if you sit on the couch next to Lilly. You are boyfriend and girlfriend. I also don’t mind a kiss or two as long as it doesn’t go any further than that, and you don’t start sucking face right in front of me. But please just drop the Puritan act, because I don’t buy it.”

  “Mrs. Garcia, I can assure you that I have the utmost respect for your daughter and for you, too. And I would never do anything to …”

  “Charlie,” Michelle interrupted.

  “Yes, ma’am?”

  “Stop talking and go make us some coffee.”

  “Yes ma’am,” Charlie said, practically running into the kitchen.

  Michelle picked up the bowl of popcorn and offered some to Lilly. “You know, you two are terrible liars.”

  ***

  On Wednesday the Grays decided Charlie should paint the upstairs bedrooms. Charlie drove Helen to the hardware store to pick out the paint and supplies.

  Evelyn and Henry were eating lunch at a Mexican restaurant across the street when she saw Charlie’s car pull into a parking space. “Well, well,” she said. “I knew he had to leave the house sometime.”

  “Who had to leave the house sometime?” Henry asked.

  “Charlie,” she said, getting up from her seat. “I’ll be back.”

  “Wait,” Henry said. “I’ll go with you.”

  “Better not, dear. I know how you detest confrontation.” Evelyn darted out of the restaurant before Henry could protest.

  Charlie was standing at the counter waiting for the paint. He looked up when he heard the bell on the door ring and saw Evelyn walk through the door.

  “What are you doing here, Charlie?”

  “Well, let’s see. I’m standing here with a paintbrush in one hand and color swatches in the other, waiting for the clerk in the back to mix up some colors in metal cans. I don’t know, this is just a wild guess on my part, but maybe, just maybe, I’m buying some paint.”

  Evelyn was not amused. “All right, where is she? Where’s your little girlfriend?”

  “Tamar’s on Sentria, Evelyn.”

  “Very funny. You know you’re not supposed to be out unsupervised. I suppose I’m going to have to speak to Louis and Helen again.”

  “It’s Mrs. Gray,” Helen corrected, appearing from behind the paint aisle. “What exactly did you want to speak to my husband and me about?” Charlie was impressed. Instead of cowering at the sight of Evelyn, his mother was actually standing up to her. But then, Evelyn was the one person who really got under his mom’s skin.

  “Oh, Mrs. Gray, it is so good to see you again,” Evelyn said, fake smiling. Her tone became sugary sweet. “I thought Charlie was here alone.”

  “No, Evelyn. That would be a violation of the rules. Charlie is doing some painting in our home over spring break. We were just picking up the supplies.”

  “That’s good, that’s good, staying busy over spring break.” She turned to
Charlie. “So how are things going with Tamar? Are you speaking often?” she asked innocently.

  “Why don’t you tell me? I know you check the logs,” Charlie replied.

  Evelyn’s tone changed. “You don’t need to get defensive. If you don’t like being monitored so closely, you shouldn’t have broken the rules.”

  “What’s going on, Evelyn?” Henry asked as he walked over to stand next to her.

  “Your wife is checking up on me and my mother. She seems to think that hardware stores are havens for Sentrian lawbreakers.”

  Henry pulled Evelyn aside. “Were any rules broken?”

  “I told you to wait at the restaurant.” She spoke softly, but of course, Charlie could hear.

  “You didn’t answer my question,” Henry said.

  “No rules were broken.” Evelyn frowned at her husband. Charlie was amused by their exchange. Maybe Henry wasn’t such a dweeb after all.

  Henry approached Charlie and his mother. “Evelyn and I will be on our way. We’ll leave you to your work.” He led Evelyn out of the store by the elbow. When they were outside, Evelyn wrested her arm out of his grasp. “What are you doing? I wasn’t finished with him.”

  “Yes, you were. I’m not sure why you’re so fixated on Charlie, but I’m getting tired of it.”

  “You can’t seriously be jealous. You are my One, not Charlie. I just can’t stand people who think they don’t have to follow the rules.”

  “Then go harass Ben and Micah in League City. They’re constantly testing the limits here on Earth. Look, you told me yourself that Charlie’s talking with Tamar nightly, and that the Earthan female will have nothing to do with him. Unless you have incontrovertible proof of wrongdoing, leave Charlie and his family alone.”

  “You know, your father put me in this position, because he knew you were a pushover. You want proof, fine, I’ll get your proof. But when I do, I will come after Charlie with everything I can avail myself of in the Sentrian punishment code, and you won’t be able to stop me.”

  ***

  “So what chores did your dad have you do today?” Lilly asked.

  “Paint the upstairs bedrooms,” Charlie said.

  “Wax on, wax off,” Lilly said.

  “Huh?”

  “Never mind, Karate Kid. You were telling me about your run-in with Evelyn at the hardware store.”

  “The strange thing was that Henry seemed to be on my side. He basically told Evelyn to back off and leave me alone.”

  “Do you think he’s jealous? I mean, you and Evelyn did date.”

  “True, and we Sentrians do have a bit of a jealous streak.”

  “Yeah, I kind of noticed.”

  “His was not the typical jealous reaction, though,” Charlie said.

  “Meaning, he didn’t try to throw you across the parking lot?”

  “Very funny. But still, for Henry to be jealous he would at least need some sort of provocation. He’s kind of a bore, but he is definitely level-headed, not one to fly off into a jealous rage. Even a Sentrian without corrective lenses could see I have no interest in Evelyn, and now that they are married, she could never be unfaithful.”

  “So, what are you saying? No Sentrian has ever cheated?”

  “No, there have been cheaters, but for most of us, the idea is utterly repulsive. It’s not just a solemn vow that keeps Sentrian couples together. The pronouncement of the union at the end of the wedding ceremony itself causes a chemical change in the brains of Sentrians. It would be physiologically impossible to love someone else. Remember, unlike you, we have limited free will.”

  “That’s so bizarre,” Lilly commented.

  “That is why finding your One is sacred. The elders once tried to separate a married Sentrian couple. The results were disastrous.”

  “What happened?” Lilly asked.

  “A few centuries back, the Sentrian elders tried to arrange marriages on a large scale—not just for problem cases like me. The elites, government officials, and elders tried to keep their sons and daughters from having contact with commoners so that their children would only bond with elites like themselves. “Here.” Charlie took out his PCD. “Why don’t you read some Sentrian literature for a change?” Charlie pushed a few buttons and some undecipherable text appeared on the screen. He pushed another button and the text became English. Charlie made some coffee and sat down next to Lilly as she read.

  The Tragedy of Arina and Paltiel

  Arina was the only child of an aristocratic Sentrian couple. Her parents doted on her and they wanted their daughter to marry a man worthy of her elite status. She was a smart, friendly girl, but she lived like a prisoner in her parents’ palatial estate. Tutors were brought in to teach her, and friends would come over to see her, but she wasn’t allowed to leave.

  Her parents located a suitable male named Cale. He was a senator’s son from another province. Plans were made for them to wed in a year, when Cale turned sixteen. But Arina was already falling in love with Paltiel, her parent’s servant. He brought her books and music. He talked with her and listened to her when she had problems or just wanted companionship. They fell in love and knew they were meant to be together. Shortly before Arina was to be married, the governor was called to the capital on business. He and Arina’s mother left for a short trip, leaving Paltiel in charge of things while they were gone. Paltiel knew this was their only chance. He took Arina out of her home, and they ran away to a small village where some of Paltiel’s cousins lived. Paltiel and Arina got married and were very happy.

  When her parents came home and found her missing, they hired locators to find her. It didn’t take long for them to find out about Paltiel and bring them in from the village. Arina’s father had a friend who was a judge. He was more than happy to declare the marriage illegal and voided it from the public record. Her parents took Arina back home, and they continued to make preparations for her marriage to Cale.

  Paltiel was heartbroken and followed his One back to her home. He made many desperate attempts to see her. Arina’s parents forbade her from seeing Paltiel, but she repeatedly defied them. Her parents had him declared a criminal and he was imprisoned. But Arina ran away and visited him in prison. When her parents realized that they couldn’t keep them apart, they used their high position to influence the elders to impose a penalty of death on Paltiel. He was given poison and died. Arina was inconsolable. On the eve of her wedding to Cale, they found her hanging from a noose made out of a bed sheet.

  Lilly looked up at Charlie. “I can see why they call it a Tragedy. Did this really happen or is this some sort of Sentrian legend?”

  “It really happened. Before Arina and Paltiel, it was always understood that you didn’t question God’s choice for a soul mate. After Paltiel’s execution and Arina’s suicide, the elders decided to pass a law that made it illegal for a person to interfere with God’s plan. The law states that once a person finds their One, and the marriage ceremony is complete, regardless of the circumstances, no one may nullify it. The judge who declared the marriage illegal and both of Arina’s parents were sentenced to three years in prison. The elders, of course, absolved themselves of any wrongdoing. So you see, even if Henry is jealous, deep down he knows that Evelyn belongs to him and could never love anyone else.”

  “This is exactly what I don’t get. Why are Sentrians jealous at all? Fidelity is not a problem on your planet.”

  “Because of the way our brains are programmed, we are suspicious and paranoid that others will try to steal away our One. It’s not just the physical act that defines fidelity for us. Even spending too much time with another’s One could set off a really jealous Sentrian, and there are those who test the limits. We call them seducers. They try to make other Sentrians jealous by striking up conversations with their One, flirting, or having some other type of casual contact. And it’s not usually out of carnal desire. Usually the seducer is trying to obtain something from the victim or cause pain to the victim’s mate. Seduction is a cri
me on my planet punishable by prison time, and for good reason. There have been seducers who have been killed for trying to lure away a person’s spouse. In most of these cases, the spouse of the victim was absolved of murder or just given a light sentence.”

  “Whoa. So adultery is worthy of death on Sentria?” Lilly asked.

  “Under the right circumstances, yes. But it doesn’t happen very often.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Because cheaters don’t get the circle. That’s reserved for your One.”

  “You mean the necklace?” Lilly asked, looking down at her own.

  “No, I’m referring to something different,” Charlie said and smiled.

  “What?” Lilly asked.

  “Nothing,” he said, still smiling.

  “You have to tell me now.”

  Charlie shook his head. “Maybe someday, but not today.”

  Lilly gave up and returned to the previous topic. “But there are cheaters, right?”

  “Yes. It’s rare, but it does exist. If the offended mate doesn’t kill the seducer outright, the state may put the person to death as an example to others. But if you get too close to a person’s One, regardless of your motives, there is typically a beating handed out.”

  “Is Evelyn a seducer?” Lilly asked.

  “That’s a strange question,” Charlie replied.

  “That’s no answer, Charlie.”

  “Well, I suppose in the strictest sense of the word she might be, but she knows where the line is, and she won’t cross it. She may flirt with men, but it’s more to get them to fall in line with her wishes than to actually lure them away from their Ones.”

  Lilly grew quiet, lost in thought.

  “What are you thinking?” Charlie asked.

  “I was just thinking about Henry. If you haven’t given him any reason to be jealous, then maybe it’s not so much jealousy on his part as it is anger on Evelyn’s.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “You told me once that when you two were dating, it was you who broke it off, right?”

  “Yes, but she would have soon realized that we weren’t meant to be.”

  “That’s beside the point. Think about it from her perspective. She’s a beautiful, intelligent Sentrian woman who is going places, but you dump her and start dating an inferior Earthan girl. You really insulted her.”