Out Of This World

by Annette Mori

  “Celeste,” I whispered.

  Sydney turned her head in my direction, “Did you say something, babe?”

  I thought of all the times Celeste left me with a warm feeling and how sometimes even after she’d left, I’d still felt that connection. Now I knew she was still with me. Maybe it was the weird item she left in her pack that kept us bonded, or maybe it was something else that created the link. Now I had confirmation that energy was able to traverse across millions of miles. Anything was possible.

  “I don’t know how this is possible, but Celeste is talking to me,” I answered.

  Sydney smiled at me and kissed my cheek. “I think I’ll just go into the bedroom and let you catch up, but I’ll want to hear all about it later.” She gathered my little ball of fur, Yazdi, and headed for our bedroom.

  I wasn’t sure if I could just think the words, so I spoke into the empty room like a total nerd, “Can you hear me, Celeste? Sydney wants an update too, but she just left the room to give us some privacy.”

  My sweet Bella, I did not wish to frighten you, but I will always have a connection to you.

  “Oh, Celeste, it is so good to hear your voice. I miss you and Gizmo. Are you safe now?”

  The invaders are limiting their aggression to the southern hemisphere and I have been teaching our people love and passion. We will be ready to defend when the time comes.

  “Tell me about the return trip.”

  The return trip was uneventful and Gizmo is such a good little mama kitty. I accelerated the growth of her offspring because I wanted to maintain a safe, controlled environment for her to give birth. The caretakers approved another trip to planet Earth to obtain more cats so that we may breed them on Sisterna. They bring a certain amount of calming energy to those who are privileged enough to stroke them.

  “Celeste, that is such wonderful news. When will you make the journey again?”

  I still have more teaching to do on Sisterna. Perhaps we will be able to make the trip in another Earth year or two.

  “We?”

  I could almost hear the smile in her voice when she answered me.

  You were right, Bella, I met someone and she is energy compatible. She would like to meet you. I hope you will not be disturbed by her appearance.

  “Why on Earth would I be disturbed by her appearance?”

  She is beautiful like you; she could easily pass for your twin.

  “My twin?”

  Yes, and when I described this concept of love, she understood immediately. I believe we are in love.

  “Oh, Celeste, I am so happy for you,” I gushed. “Hey, by the way, we found your little stash in the backpack, but couldn’t quite figure out the electrical device you left behind. Is that the way you’ve been able to stay connected to me?”

  I could hear her giggle in my head. I keep learning about Earth slang and your technology from the Kindle device you gave me. The device is what we call a communicator, but would more aptly be described as a videographer in Earth terms. I used this device to remain connected to my home planet and provide frequent updates on my learnings. I broke the rules when I left this technology, but it was worth the risk. I confessed this to the caretakers who have given me permission to utilize the device to remain connected. They believe you have more to teach us.

  “So how does it work? Would I be able to use this device to send video messages?”

  Yes, but there is a considerable delay in the transmission.

  “Can you teach me how to use the device and then we can have another means of communication.”

  Of course, Bella, but I will always remain connected to you and anytime you wish to communicate with me, all you need to do is send a mind message. Emotion generates a greater amount of energy ensuring receipt of the message. When you wondered about how Gizmo and I were faring, your emotion must have been great because the message was the clearest one since my departure.

  “Good to know. I miss you, Celeste.”

  I miss you too.

  †

  Sydney was tending to her garden and I walked out into the sunshine feeling the warmth of Mother Nature’s rays caress my skin. It was late August and just sharing the same space with Sydney brought me incredible joy. I wasn’t much of a gardener, but I would help Sydney harvest the fruits of her labor.

  Sydney had an incredible green thumb, and it seemed like whatever she touched grew into luscious multicolored fruits and vegetables. August was prime time for picking blueberries, strawberries, and some of the early harvest tomatoes.

  We’d evolved into a comfortable domesticity as we each gravitated to our natural talents. While Sydney pulled the weeds surrounding her prized tomato plants, I began harvesting the fruit. As I lifted my face to the sun, I thought of Celeste.

  My Bella. It must be a glorious day there. I can almost feel the warmth of your Earth’s sun.

  “Oh, Celeste, it is so good to hear from you again. It has been too long.”

  Sydney turned to me and smiled. “Shall I give you some privacy?”

  I shook my head.

  “Celeste, Sydney is right here with me. Do you think you could talk us through how to use the videographer?”

  Oh yes I can, but you must remember that the messages will be delayed. Between each communication, you can expect forty to sixty of your earth minutes to pass before receiving a response from Sisterna. Will this frustrate you?

  I laughed. “It won’t frustrate me, but I can’t speak for Sydney. Hey babe, Celeste said she can teach us how to use the device but the messages are so delayed it will take an hour before we can expect to receive a response. I would love to see her and meet her new energy partner. We can just continue to work in the garden between messages. Okay?”

  “Sounds good to me. As long as I can continue to dig in the dirt while we wait. Do you want me to get the device?”

  “No, I’ll go get it. Hang on Celeste. I’m going to get your fancy contraption and then we can give it a whirl.”

  Whirl? I have not come across that slang yet. I do not suppose you will be spinning the device around your head?

  I chuckled. “Nope. It means test it out.”

  After I retrieved her videographer, Celeste talked me through how to work the strange device and when Celeste sent her first video message, it was eerie how much her energy partner looked like me. It was like looking in a mirror. They seemed so happy and I was looking forward to their future visit. Maybe I would allow Yazdi to have kittens and Celeste could bring one or two back to Sisterna so that they could breed with Gizmo’s kittens.

  †

  Although it was awkward at first, Sydney and I learned how to keep in touch with Celeste and her energy partner, Pia. We made it a point to connect with them at least once a month. As the holiday season snuck up on all of us, we spent considerable time trying to help Celeste and Pia understand the concept of Thanksgiving and the tradition in my family to cite what we were all thankful for.

  Christmas was just around the corner and I was looking forward to explaining that particular holiday to Celeste. I knew she would be interested in the origin of Christmas as well as what it meant to me. I sensed that Sydney had something special planned for Christmas Eve that would probably entail some grandiose romantic gesture. I was sure she was ready to pop the question because I think she sensed that I was finally ready to accept her love. My mom kept giving me sly looks, so I knew that Sydney probably let her in on the surprise.

  I was racking my brain for what I could do to make her Christmas special. Maybe my alien best friend could give me an idea that would be unique and extraordinary. I’d have to ask her during one of our private talks. I wanted Sydney to feel as special as she made me feel every single day since we’d professed our love for one another.

  I feel so blessed to have someone like Sydney as a partner because, not once, has she ever expressed any kind of discomfort about the connection Celeste and I have. When I reflect on my beautiful girlfriend, the love I feel for
her at this minute is truly out of this world. The love we have transcends the universe and I have Celeste to thank for being the spark that ignited our love.

  About the Author

  Annette Mori

  Annette is a health care executive living in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her wife (got to love Washington state) and their five furry kids. Well actually, it might be more than five, but they do not count the ones they only feed. Annette is fifty-six years old and believes it is not too late to try something new. As an avid reader, she is pleased there are thousands of good books to choose from, and hopes that one day hers will be one of the many for readers to consider. She reads at least three to four books a week, so please keep them coming. She has a habit to feed after all.

  No matter if you loved it or hated it, I would love your comments. Feel free to e-mail me at annettemori0859@gmail.com. I will always be a WIP (work in progress—just learned that) so feedback is a gift.

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