Dezi had wanted to read from his Bible but Netty had convinced him to leave it behind under the circumstances. After all, the Womb was their host; no longer a theory or far-removed esoteric figure of the truth of their existence and evolution.
Cobby’s fingers brushed Abby’s. Her head didn’t move, her eyes remained forward but she allowed the faint trace of a secret smile to light them up with love for the father of her growing child.
“I’m scheduled for my check-up in a few minutes. I guess I’m the last one to go.” Abby nodded her head and cleared her throat, her efforts at normalcy slipping as her wings gave a subtle flex of nervousness.
“I don’t think Bonnie has gone yet. Maybe you could try to get her to go with you?” She glanced ahead of them to locate Jose walking with Wil, their heads together in animated conversation, his back still turned toward them. Risking a longing look at Cobby, she felt his finger entwine with hers. He gave her a squeeze of reassurance and support.
“Okay, I’ll see what I can do. And you? Are you ready to confront Netty?” She squeezed back.
“Yes, my love. I don’t think I can go on with this charade a moment longer. I want to shout to the moon and be in your arms as much as possible. Netty knows something’s up. I can see it in her eyes. But she’s giving me the time to hear me out.” Her eyes gleamed unmistakably. “We need her approval. Wish me luck.”
Cobby’s darkly handsome face, replete with the wisdom of all of his one hundred and forty years melted her heart. “Ab, just remember . . . she doesn’t own you.”
Abby’s smile left her lips. “Try to understand. Cob. I have a responsibility and it includes Jose as my mate. There are ramifications we may not be foreseeing. And there is the fact that I will outlive you. And our child, I’m scared about the fact that it may be . . . well . . . different.”
“Shhh, let me worry about those things. Chloe’s baby will be here in a few weeks or so. She’s in the same situation. And no one seemed to care that Scotty was an Elder and she wasn’t.”
“Yes, but the important difference is that the mother of Chloe’s child isn’t an Elder. Our child’s mother is. There is a big difference between female Elders and males.”
Cobby made a face. “It can’t be that bad. You all look the same except for the antlers the males don’t have. Netty ever tell you what the difference is?”
“A little. Just that the males were eliminated from holding the reins of power—our antlers—because of their human heritage. The Womb doesn’t trust the male of our species, neither human nor Elder. She didn’t go into much more than that.”
Cobby glanced down the corridor to see that the rest of the survivors had moved far in front of them. He pulled on Abby, hanging them back even further. His voice rose.
“This child will be the best of both of us. No matter what happens or what combination of traits the baby inherits, it will be our baby. What more could we ask for?” His hand was sliding up her arm. She could feel the tension and passion of his words as the tendons in his hand contracted.
She quickly threw her arms around his neck and thrust her body hard against his. Her wings blocked them from view as she shuddered against him and whispered, “I love you.” She released him just as quickly as she heard a plaintive cry.
“Abby . . . can you hurry on up here?” Jose voiced his impatience from down the corridor and in a flash she was gone, leaving Cobby with empty arms and an aching heart.
Hurrying after the beautiful Elder for whom he had such feelings, he managed to catch a glimpse of her shimmering wings as she entered the survivors’ quarters. Unfortunately, it looked like Jose’s wings alongside hers.
As he entered the quarters, he risked a casual glance as Abby moved to approach Netty, Jose’s restraining arm wrapped firmly around hers. He watched as she tugged hard to disengage. Reining in his anger, he moved in their direction. A restraining hand clamped down on him. “Easy, man. This isn’t the time. Let her handle it.”
Cobby turned to confront the sympathetic frown of Wil whose lion-like tail stood high in the air in support for his friend. Cobby released the breath he’d been holding in with a frustrated whistle. He ran his rough hand over his mouth, feeling the bristle of his growing whiskers. His muscles contracted with stress under Wil’s hand.
“What are you talking about, Wil?” He couldn’t stop himself from flicking his eyes toward Jose and Abby.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about, man. Stop making it so obvious. They need to sort this out without your interference. It’s between the two of them.”
Cobby turned on Wil with gruff irony. “You mean the two of them and my baby. I think that counts for some say in this, don’t you?”
Wil’s jaw dropped, his golden eyes flashing. “Your baby? What the heck are . . . no . . . you don’t mean.” Wil’s voice croaked in fearful strains as a shy smile spread across Cobby’s face, pride and hope taking root in his eyes.
“Oh boy. This changes everything.” Wil quickly pulled Cobby into an alcove. Glancing back, they watched as Netty approached the quarreling Jose and Abby, steering them down a hallway where they vanished.
Wil turned to Cobby with a shake of his head and a mournful proclamation. “You are in for one shit storm now, buddy. I would have thought you’d have better sense than to begin an affair right now.”
With a start, Cobby set him straight. “You know me better than that, Wil. This isn’t an affair. I’ve been in love with Abby since the first day I laid eyes on her. With Jose in the picture, it just wasn’t to be. She was too young at the time anyway.” Cobby continued to share the details of the plans Abby had made with him. He held his breath, hoping for a solution from Wil but it wasn’t to be.
Wil agreed; it was all up to Netty now.
***
Jose sat in the wooden armchair facing Netty and Abby. His wings vibrated noticeably as his clenched teeth kept him from crying out at the pain from his fingernails that dug deeply into the palm of his hands. His face was stiff and wooden.
Abby shed tears as her faltering words sent arrows of hurt and bewilderment into Jose’s heart. Netty listened quietly, her face a cypher.
“This is not how I wanted you to find out, Jose. I wanted to talk to Netty alone first.”
“You don’t think you owed me an explanation first? Give me a chance?” Jose spewed indignation. Abby cast her eyes down.
“It’s beyond that, Jose. It’s just . . . I . . . I mean we . . .” She cast a quick glance at Netty. “It’s part of growing up, Jose. People change.”
Jose snorted. “We’re Elders. What can he offer you?” His question was met with a silence that vibrated like balloons ready to burst. “What else are you hiding from me, Abby?” Jose glanced over at Netty. “Do you mind? Can we have some privacy here, please?”
After first glancing at Abby, Netty made to rise.
“I’m pregnant, Jose.” The words were said in a whisper. But the pride and joy in Abby’s voice said everything. Jose turned white. His frame began to shake. His mouth opened then closed. She placed her arm on his.
“I’m so sorry, Jose. You know I will always be there for you. We’ve been through so much together. You’ll always have a place in my heart. I hope we can get through this and still be important to each other.”
“You bitch. You treacherous bitch.” Reaching out with his trembling hand, he slapped her hard across the face. Abby’s hand flew to her face, stunned. Blood drained from her face to expose the perfect print of Jose’s hand on her cheek.
“That’s it, Jose.” Netty took a firm hold of his arm and ushered him toward the door where they were confronted by Baby.
“Sister . . . Brother. We can have none of this here. Violence is prohibited. You must leave now. It is against the law of the Womb.”
“I think I can handle this.” From behind Baby came the stooped figure of Forbation. “No need to let this get out of hand.” He looked around the room. “Come with me, Jose . . . please.”
<
br /> ***
Jose ground his teeth, veins on his forehead throbbed. All eyes were on him as his expression went blank. A sigh of relief was palpable as Jose smiled. His eyes lost the dangerous glitter.
“Of course, Forbation.” Jose rose quickly and shook out his wings, turning to Abby. “I wish you much luck.” A half-bow followed then he glided out of the room with Forbation.
Silence greeted his departure. A gentle stroke announced Baby’s presence in Abby and Netty’s mind.
“Mark my words, my Sisters. We have not heard the last of this matter with Brother Jose.”
Abby and Netty exchanged heavy glances, their relief beginning to dissipate.
“Don’t be silly, my little golden worrywart.” Netty bent down to scoop up the minion she loved as much as she loved her daughter, Maya. “We are family. This might take some time for Jose to accept but he will come around. Brother Forbation will see to it.” She turned to Abby with Baby ensconced firmly on her hip. “The child you are carrying is another matter. We will just need to wait until Chloe has her baby. It should give us a guideline. We will give Jose some time before you and Cobby announce this . . . new beginning. Does that sound fair?”
“Yes, of course, Netty,” Abby hastened to reassure her. “We’ve waited this long, what’s a few more days or weeks?”
The three golden creatures reached out to embrace one another, Jose completely forgotten as the prospect of new life swept everything from their minds. Baby flapped his leather legs at Netty’s waist as he savored the excitement and the delight of another child on the way.
***
Forbation hastened Jose away from the survivors’ quarters.
“Slow down, Brother. What’s the rush?”
Forbation stopped in his tracks and whipped his head around to study Jose, surprised at his peevish and surly tone. “I sincerely hope I do not have trouble brewing here, Brother Jose. You have responsibilities to everyone on this planet.”
Jose laughed, his tone incredulous. “I don’t have any responsibilities to anyone. I do what I please and when I please.”
Forbation froze to gaze into Jose’s flashing eyes. Seconds ticked by before Jose heard a grinding.
“I am sorry to hear you say that,” intoned Forbation. The wall beside him opened up and out thrust a Kreyven. The hallway was filled with its unmistakable spicy lemon odor. Before Jose could move, the Kreyven struck. It hung high in the air over Jose swaying from wall to wall, then descended like a snake, wrapping its now noxious fumes around the hapless Elder, his wings crushed tightly in its coils.
“Hey . . . Brother Forbation. Make it stop.”
Forbation remained silent. The Kreyven increased its pressure, its considerable mass mounting and swallowing Jose’s body, leaving only his golden head with its flashing eyes exposed.
“Forbation!”
A dog barked. As it grew closer, Jose recognized the curly white face of Barney, followed by an agitated Echo. “Hey girl . . . Echo . . . help!” Jose screamed, plaintively.
Echo’s aura stabbed wildly. “Brother Forbation, what is the meaning of this? Brother Jose is part of our family.”
Forbation’s aura struck back, calm and resolute. “It grieves me, my Sister, but the rules have been broken. I’m sure you have absorbed the details. It is no longer safe for Sister Abby if Brother Jose is free to do as he pleases. The Womb is proven correct again. The male of this species is not to be trusted. If it were not for the fact that he is an Elder . . .”
Echo hung her head.
“What’s going on, Echo? Can you get me down from here?” shouted Jose.
Echo waddled over to stand unflinchingly in front of the house Kreyven. “Do not worry, Brother. I will stand for you in your trial.”
“Trial? What the heck are you talking about? Get me out of this mess.” Jose struggled against the Kreyven.
“Please, Brother Jose. Do not fight the Kreyven. It has orders. You will go to another part of the Womb while the trial commences. The Womb will decide what to do with you. I will argue for a position in the labs, something befitting your station.”
The Kreyven began to withdraw into the translucent wall of the Womb. “Stay calm, my Brother. I will make sure you are fine.” Echo hopped from foot to foot as Jose disappeared with the Kreyven.
Forbation moved forward to place a reassuring hand on Echo’s shoulder. Barney stood sniffing at the organic wall; a low whine testified to his distress.
“You know something like this was bound to happen. They can’t help themselves. You agreed to these measures before the decision to move them here was made,” Forbation admonished Echo. “We will do what we can, but please . . . don’t make this worse. His violence may just be related to his dispute with Sister Abby but you know he must be segregated for observation.”
The two minions turned to walk arm-in-arm down the hallway, the organic walls beating subtly with their every step.
“This will be quick. I will find something suitable for him.” Forbation shook his head from side to side, his disappointment keen. “I just did not think the first to break would be an Elder.”
***
Bonnie lay on her colorful bed staring up at the high ceiling. Squinting her eyes tightly, she thought she could see the ceiling move with the beats of her own heart. Hud sat quietly in a chair by the bedside, finding comfort in her company. Like most men, he found quiet easier to deal with.
“Why won’t you help me, Hud? How can you turn your back on Ginger Mae?”
“I’m not turning my back on her, Bonnie. There’s just nothing I can do. What do you want from me? Do you want me to go back into the portal with you? That’s only going to get us killed.” A tear slipped down Hud’s face. He wiped it away quickly with the back of his fist as he stood. His handsome world-weary face looked down on Bonnie, his shell-shocked eyes appraising her.
“You need to do your mourning and make your peace. Stop torturing yourself.”
Bonnie remained silent.
“Come on. Why don’t you come with me? The rest of the women are in the nursery with the babies. With your baby. He needs to see his mama. And Forbation wants to meet us after we eat. He has an announcement for us.”
“I’ll be there. Just not yet.”
“Okay, I’ll just head down to the nursery to give your son a look-see for you.” He bent down and gave Bonnie’s arm a squeeze. “See ya later. You are planning on joining us for chow aren’t you?”
“I’ll think about it, Hud.”
Nodding his head, the big, sad man left the room.
It didn’t take long before Bonnie heard another noise. She sighed to herself with frustration. Never a moment’s peace. She closed her eyes to feign sleep. Suddenly she felt a finger trace the contours of her face, slowly . . . tentatively.
Her eyes flew open to confront a minion with a disarmingly beautiful fire butterfly attached to her antlers. Ivey. Bonnie stared at the minion who stared back. Seconds passed as she wondered why the minion was here.
“You look good, Ivey. Are you healed?”
“Yes, Sister Bonnie, I am.”
Bonnie waited for more. Ivey remained silent as she carefully watched Bonnie. Finally the swirling auras in her brain engaged.
“Brother Baby and Sister Echo feel love for their humans. Do you feel love?”
“Why yes, Ivey,” she replied, startled and amused by the question. “Do you love someone?”
“No,” Ivey replied. “I love no one. Whom do you love?”
Taken aback, Bonnie searched her heart. “I love all of my people. We all love one another. And I love Baby and Echo and Tobi and Caesar and all of the animals that came with us from Earth.”
“Then why are you so sad? Brother and Sister said there is great joy in loving. I see no great joy in you. I find my joy in my duty just like every minion. But Brother and Sister have something else. Something they call complete happiness. I do not feel that.”
“You must be just like me
, only sadder. I don’t think you have complete happiness.”
Ivey wrinkled her nose. “You smell bad.”
Bonnie bristled. “I don’t have complete happiness because my husband is missing. I told you about that, before the thing from the portal tried to sting you. Remember? I love him more than anything and anyone in the world. And if you don’t like how I smell, you can leave.”
Ivey looked long and hard at Bonnie. Her butterfly’s wings flapped languid trailing lines of firelight over her golden fur. Ivey blinked her mesmerizing eyes. Her fur bristled. “I will leave.” She turned to leave Bonnie’s bedroom, the fire butterfly sucking greedily from her antlers, content and secure.
***
Bonnie picked morosely at the cake Dezi had made for the end of dinner. Echo sat along the wall with Barney and Chloe’s dog Teddy, happily feeding them pieces of cake while Baby watched, a puppy tucked under one skinny arm and flapping his elongated fingers in the air with consternation over the disappearing cake. I see not much has changed for Baby.
She saw that a nooglet had joined the group, Barney warily tolerating his rival. Looking to the other side of the room, Abby and Cobby sat with Wil and Netty; Hud and Kane helped Dezi with the dishes, and Kenya played on the floor with her baby and a laughing Maya, the little girl still unable to control her thrashing tail and drooping wings. Maya gallivanted around, begging for constant attention as usual. She could hardly blame the child after being cooped up for so many years with Father Garcia and the babies, unable to have playmates to develop natural social skills. If she was precocious for her age, the adults certainly took pains to humor her.
A cloudy veil of sorrow descended over Bonnie as she recounted the many changes Maya had been forced to witness in the last year or so since they’d ascended from the Hive and begun to build their new life above on Earth. Her hand to her mouth, she stifled a sob. And now another different life to live . . . She wished she could be more like Daisy. Unemotional and committed to her calling. She noted Daisy’s absence. Probably talking to some alien rocks somewhere.
When Aliens Weep Page 8
