Then Trish sat down on the floor in the kitchen and leaned back against the wall. As she looked around for anything else that James could get into, she said to Jill, “maybe we need a makeover of the kitchen also.” Jill sat down on the floor beside Trish and looked around. The oven and stovetop were both within easy reach of James probing hands. Jill commented that they could remove the oven and make it a wall mount that James could not reach. Then, if we moved the stovetop up higher, removed all the handles, knobs, and anything else he could climb up on, they might be able to prevent him from reaching anything hot on the stovetop. Jill quickly rearranged the kitchen on the computer monitor, and the computer implemented the changes.
When James toddled up to the girls sitting on the floor, Jill picked him up, then hugged and tickled him and said, “That should keep the little monster safe,” then suspended him upside down by his ankles until he said, “Auntie Jill, down.” Jill quickly righted him and then hoped she had not upset his stomach with the maneuver. Trish just giggled and said, “He has puked before, and what would a little more puke matter to a male child.” Jill said, “I don’t want to have to clean up puke that I am responsible for creating.”
Jill walked to the recliner in the ready room, put her foot up on the stool and pushed around on her ankle and leg with her fingers. Jill’s leg had swollen again tonight, and Trish could tell that it hurt like the dickens, but Jill would never complain. Jill finally said, “I guess I need to put this leg up and ice it or the swelling will never go away today.” Trish said, “Jill, sit still and I will get the ice for you. You have been up working on that leg all day without any time to elevate it. Now that things have quieted down a little, please take some time for yourself and rest your leg. Jill, would you take one of the pain pills and relax here while I fix supper if I get you one and some water.” Jill nodded and said, “If you get two of them, I will take one now and one after supper.”
Trish leaned down and said, “Tomorrow, you will take an hour in the morning and an hour in the afternoon to put this leg up and rest it; do you hear me?” Then Trish smiled at Jill and said, “Skipper, I think I forgot the please word before I began giving you orders about how to tend to your own body.” Jill said, “I appreciate your mothering, and I will try to take the time as you suggested. This leg hurts like hell when I lift and twist on it all day.”
When James toddled up to Jill’s chair, she helped him crawl up into the recliner beside her and cuddle. He leaned back with his head resting between the chair and Jill’s breast, and then closed his eyes. When Trish looked at him a second time, she realized that he had fallen asleep within just a few moments in the chair. Trish smiled and said, “Jill, if you ever wonder how much we love you around here, just think back on all the tender moments with James in your arms.” Jill said, “Trish, don’t say things like that, you know I cry easily lately, and James seems to wet my cheeks in an instant when he snuggles close and loves me.” Trish said, “You do realize that it is expected of you to cry over a child don’t you, their love is unconditional and they never run out of hugs and kisses.” Trish did not hear a response from Jill. She turned to see why and realized Jill was asleep with James beside her in the recliner. Trish spoke to the computer and said, “Computer are you still awake or has every soul on this vessel fallen asleep.” The computer made a sound like a yawn, and then said, “Did you say something to me, Trish?” Trish giggled and said, “Sorry to wake you.”
As Jill and Trish ate supper, they took turns putting food into the bowl in front of James. They had learned to put only one bite at a time in his bowl or the contents of the bowl would find its way to the floor in an instant. With a single bite of food in the bowl, his male mind seemed to process the fact that it might be the last food he ever received so it had better find its way into his mouth. Jill said that human males ate the same way they loved, all or nothing.
As they ate their supper, Trish began asking Jill if she was open to a suggestion for some new salable merchandise aboard The Empress. Jill said, “Tell me what you are thinking.” Trish said, “Would you consider growing and raising fresh fruit and possibly vegetables aboard The Empress.” Jill said, “Do you mean, fruit trees, and a garden?” Trish said, “I am not certain how far we could venture into a garden, but I am thinking of some miniature fruit trees growing in some type of large portable containers.” Jill put a bite of potatoes into James bowl and then said, “That is kind of an interesting and novel idea, Trish. Are miniature fruit tress able to grow in the cargo bay of The Empress without sunlight?” Trish said, “We would have to check into the growing lights that are used on many planets to create artificial sunlight for growing plants. Then we would have to consult with the computer to see what we could do to power them with a supply of electricity or some form of power.” Jill thought a second and then began giggling. Jill said, “Sorry for the laughter, but I just had a vision of my father rolling his eyes and saying, ‘are you females having hallucinations, or have you been smoking my inventory of wacky weed?’” Trish asked Jill, “But would Ronnie have approved after he thought about it for awhile?” Jill said, “I don’t know what Fathers final answer would have been, but I think we should go down to the huge growing farms on the planet Earth and research your idea. If we can work out some of the details and get lots of information, we can then work with the computer to see if your idea is practical here on The Empress. If we discover we could grow the fruit and maybe some vegetables, we could try to develop a market for them before we get in over our heads. Trish, my answer at this point is yes; let’s attempt your idea. If nothing else, we could try growing for ourselves until we get the hang of it.”
Trish said, “Computer, would you research the locations of two or three of the large growing farms that sell miniature fruit trees, seeds, growing soil and supplies for use here on The Empress.” Trish heard three chirps from the computer. Jill wrote down a quick list of the fruits it would be nice to sell from The Empress. The fruits could be, apples, peaches, plums, pineapples, oranges; and then for vegetables they could try, squash, pumpkins, pickles, green beans, potatoes, and other hardy and easy to store items.
When they finished, Jill said she would help clean the kitchen, but Trish ran her out and said, “You could rest and ice your leg and talk to the computer to see if my idea is even worth trying here on The Empress.” Jill said, “I think your idea is very plausible, but I will help you do the research before we head down the Earth tomorrow.” Jill put James onto the floor and gave him a few toys to keep him occupied for a few minutes until his mother finished cleaning the kitchen.
When Trish sat down on the floor to play with James she said, “Yuck, you smell like you have been playing in a cow barn, my son.” Trish picked James up and took him to the bathroom in her room. When Jill stepped in, she said, “I will come back when the computer manages to clean the fowl stench from this room.” James smiled at Jill, but she said to him, “Don’t smile at me after what you have done in those pants, young man.” Jill walked out of the room, and Trish heard her speak to the computer something about never having children, ever. Trish knew that Jill was very capable of tending to a fowled child, and had proven her abilities many times with James.
Trish put James into the tub and let him play in the warm water. She handed him a bar of soap and he began to wash himself as Trish watched to be sure he washed properly. Jill stepped back into the room to talk to Trish and said, “I can tell our lover boy is back to his sweat smelling self.” She leaned over, put a tiny floating wooden dump truck into the water and saw James eyes light up with the new toy. Trish put her arms around Jill and said, “Where did you get that tiny truck?” Jill said, “I had it sent up with the food delivery from Quantum. I had seen it the last time I was visiting the pharmacy on Quantum and remembered it this morning when I got into the shower.” Trish said, “I think your tiny toy is very much loved and so are you my friend.” Trish kissed Jill on the forehead and said, “Thanks for the wonderful gift.”
Trish then asked Jill for a favor, “Could you watch James for five minutes while I use the other bathroom?” Jill smiled and said, “Yes, I don’t want you smelling like a cow barn also.” Trish punched Jill on the shoulder and quickly headed down the hall. When Trish returned, Jill had James out of the tub and dry. As Jill stepped out of Trish’s room, James ran around the corner, giggled, and wiggled his way between her legs as he ran around The Empress naked once again. Trish picked him up as he tried to run between her legs and put his pajamas on him.
When he was in bed and asleep, the girls sat down and discussed the trip to Earth tomorrow. Trish was excited about this new adventure and hoped there was a way to make it happen. Jill said, “If we keep expanding our merchandise and clientele, we will need another person around here to help us keep up.” Trish reminded Jill that Frederica would love to join The Empress if there was enough work to keep her busy. Jill said, “Maybe this fruit tree and garden venture will prosper and we could bring her aboard.”
Jill made them hot chocolate and they had no more than sat back down when a tiny face peeked around the corner and said, “Chocolate.” Trish said, “I thought you were sleeping.” James said again, “Chocolate,” and Trish said, “I think that could be arranged since we do not have to rush around in the morning.” Trish put some of her hot chocolate into a tiny cup, cooled it and gave James a straw to sip the liquid out of his cup. He took his cup, sat down on the thick rug beside Jill’s chair and began working on the wonderful tasting mixture his mother had given him. Jill asked Trish what they had fed James that stunk so badly earlier, and Trish said, “The hotdog with ketchup and mustard I think, and the ice cream certainly contributed to the problem.” We will refrain from any more hotdogs and ice cream, and stick with things he is used to eating. Jill said, “I think that would be a good idea, he had a really bad tummy problem tonight.” Trish said, “James and I have been doing really well with the potty training until tonight and I would like to not regress with that.” Jill said, “James has taken my hand twice and pulled me to the bathroom to help him, so I am certain he wants to get out of the diapers and using the toilet as soon as he can.” Trish said, “I will take him a little more often to help reinforce his training.” Jill said, “I will also pay very close attention and take him into the bathroom if you are not close by, or are preoccupied.”
When Trish woke in the morning, James was already awake, sitting up in his bed staring at her, watching her sleep. Trish said, “You can get into my bed if you want.” James crawled off his bed and into his mothers. She snuggled him close and covered him. He never laid still and soon got up and began toddling towards the bathroom. Trish quickly got up and assisted him. When they both finished, James said, “eggs,” and Trish took him by the hand and walked with him to the kitchen. When they stepped into the kitchen, Jill was sitting at the counter with a cup of coffee. James immediately repeated his request, “eggs,” and Jill said, “I can do that for you, would you like some toast and jelly with your eggs.” James nodded that he would and Trish said, “Would you try to put a little Yogurt into his diet if he will eat some for you, I seem to strike out with anything really good for him.” Trish said, “Thanks Jill, I will go get dressed, and then clean the kitchen and take care of James, so you can have some alone time after breakfast is done.”
As Trish walked past Jill, Jill patted Trish on the butt and said, “I am looking forward to our trip today. I got excited about attempting this adventure after I got into bed last night and thought long and hard about it. I think we may be able to do this. Could I tell you something else I thought about last night?” Trish sat down across from Jill at the counter and waited for Jill to begin. “I wondered how we could retire on the planet Earth near that beach we vacationed at a while back, do you remember the place? Oh yes, you do remember, you conceived James there. Anyways, I am getting tired of The Empress and am considering retirement.” Jill said no more, and Trish considered her statement for a moment and said, “Jill, we have plenty of money to live on for the rest of our lives; The Empress could be shut down in an hour and placed into a stable orbit while we considered our options. If we are considering retirement, maybe we should not begin raising fruits and vegetables.” Jill said, “I think the fruits and vegetables are a very good business decision, even if we later change our minds, or turn The Empress over to Frederica.” Trish looked into Jill’s eyes and said, “Could you really give up your fathers dream, and live on the surface for your remaining days?” Jill thought about the question a moment and then said, “I am not certain if I even want to leave The Empress, I may be just in need of a vacation and have a strong desire to get this leg healed and back to normal. I am certain I need a man in my life, but I am not going to find one that will live here with me, so I am a little confused as to what I really do want to do with my remaining days. However, having a husband and a wonderful child like James here with me on The Empress would certainly be a wonderful start.” Trish said, “Have you talked to Fred recently or have you allowed that friendship to dissolve?” Jill smiled with the mention of Fred’s name, but said that she and Fred have talked often but Fred had kept himself a safe distance from her.
The computer spoke and asked Jill if she had discovered the reason for Fred distancing himself from her? Jill looked at Trish with a look of bewilderment and then Jill quickly became angered. She said, “Computer, you asked me a question, but I know no answer to your riddles. If you have information that I should know, than begin speaking and speak now or you will find a screwdriver stuck in one of your high gain amplifiers.” The computer said, “Fred has a small female child that he fathered. Fred’s wife died during the birth of that child. He keeps his distance from you because of that child, as he feels he should not burden you with his problems.” Jill asked the computer, “Computer, Fred loved and spent many hours with me when we were on vacation on Earth and he never said one word of such a child. Where did you acquire this information?” The computer told Jill that it had done some research on Fred when Jill became infatuated with him and had discovered the information. The birth of the child is public information as is the death records of Fred’s wife during childbirth. Jill suddenly had a million questions for the computer, the first being, “How old is this child right now?” The computer said the child was thirteen years old and she has a name, it is Naomi.
Jill walked to the control console and sat down in the pilot chair. She asked the computer to try to connect her to Fred’s travel watch. Within a couple minutes, Jill saw Fred’s face on the monitor and heard his voice on the speakers in front of her. Jill said, “I just need to talk to you for a few minutes if he you have time for me.” Fred said, “Jill, are Trish and James okay?” Jill reassured Fred that everyone was okay, but she just needed to talk. Jill began by saying, “I have heard a rumor about you and I would like to discuss it if you will share with me. Fred, I heard that you have a beautiful thirteen-year-old daughter named, Naomi.”
Jill heard the air leave Fred’s lungs, but he finally got his voice back. Fred said, “Jill, the rumor is true, and I guess I should have shared this information with you before you heard it from someone else, but I did not want Naomi falling in love with you as I have, until I was sure you and I could form a working relationship. Jill, our relationship seems to be in peril because of our different lifestyles. I am a natural scientist, involved in biology and the study of how the entities of the cosmos provide nutritional foodstuffs for their populace. You are constantly traveling the cosmos selling your merchandise, and have no real home base. How can we form a sustaining relationship when we do not even live on the same planet?” Jill said, “I would like to discuss that very subject with you if you have time to talk a little longer, or maybe you and Naomi could teleport to The Empress for Dinner. Trish, James and I could cook you and Naomi a fine dinner and then discuss a business venture that Trish and I are considering that might revolve around your current study of feeding the entities of the cosmos.”
Fred finally relented and said, “I would love to visit The Empress and see how you live and work. I know Naomi would be very excited to teleport and pay you a visit, especially if she could play with James.” Jill said, “If you two would like, I could create a bedroom for the two of you and you could stay overnight and see what life on this travel membrane is really like for a day or two. I would also appreciate you not saying you love me unless you are very certain of your feelings. I was heartbroken when Trish and I left Earth, and the relationship between you and I seemed to fail. I still love you, but will not put myself through that pain again, until I am certain of your intentions.”
Fred and Jill worked out the date for Naomi and his visit to The Empress, and then they said their goodbyes. When Jill walked into the kitchen to talk to Trish, Trish had finished cleaning the kitchen and had taken James to her room. Jill walked up to the door, knocked twice and heard Trish say, “Come.” Jill stepped in and saw James playing on the rug in the middle of the floor with his new truck. Trish shut off the water and stepped out of the shower. While she dried herself, Jill began explaining what she and Fred had discussed and said she hoped Trish did not mind if Fred and his daughter Naomi came to visit for one or two days. Jill stepped into the bedroom where Jill was playing with James and said, “I would love to have them visit us.” Jill said, “Don’t you smile at me like that girl, I promised Fred I would create him and Naomi a room where they could be comfortable. I will not seduce Naomi’s Father while she is aboard this vessel.” Trish held up her hands into the air and said, “Jill, you are right. You should not give the child any reason to mistrust you or think that you are keeping secrets from her about her father.” Jill mellowed her attitude and said, “Sorry for yelling at you, but my emotions run wild when I discuss Fred. I love him, but I am afraid of getting my heart broken a second time. I believe the words once spoken by an earthling rocker were, once bitten twice shy.” Trish walked up to Jill, hugged her really hard, then stepped back and said, “You told Fred during your call to him how you felt towards him, now the ball is in his court. He will either step up and serve or wait in the background for you to take the first step. From what I saw of Fred at the sports bar the night he asked you to dance, he is not one to wait for you to make the next move; Fred will step up and serve. I think he also loves you, and the only thing keeping you two apart is Fred’s fear that you and Naomi will not mesh. I understand otherwise, and know you would take that child under your wing and love her as your own, and do everything in your power to make Naomi feel comfortable around you. Now you need to educate Fred and make him understand that fact.”
Volume II Page 9
