by J. Naomi Ay
"Did you have to, Luci?" Katie moaned. "You know how I can't stand eggs. I don't care if I never see another egg again."
"Have a pancake, Madame," Luci snapped, enunciating each word. "Or, there are plenty of left over French fries. If your husband was here, I am certain he would enjoy my eggs very much."
"I like eggs," Zork said and practically dumped the whole platter on his plate. "Your old man's got good taste, Goldie. But, we knew that." He winked.
"I think I'll start my shift right now." Katie stood up and grabbed a slice of toast.
"How long until we get there?" RJ asked, taking a stack of pancakes for herself.
"Two days," Katie replied, filling her coffee cup.
"Actually, more," Zork said, his mouth full of food. "We're going on another mission. Our buddy, Taner has asked us to take him and Caroline to Omega Centauri."
"What?" Luci gasped.
"You're kidding," Katie groaned. "How can Caroline leave the hospital? How can she begin to take such a trip?"
"The doctor is coming too. He's some kind of specialist in her disease, and he says the cure for her is somewhere in the Alpha Tau Omega star system."
"We shall need a nurse as well," Luci fretted, now taking the empty platter to the sink. "Caroline can't even get herself out of bed. She's hooked up to all sorts of machines."
"Jo's almost a nurse," RJ volunteered, her braids swinging as she turned her face from one person to another. "I'll be one someday. We'll care for her, won't we, Jo? We know enough, and with the doctor there, he'll make sure we're doing everything right."
"There's so many coming aboard now," Katie mumbled. "This old freighter might as well be a bloody cruise ship. I'm going to work." She shut the door with her foot on the way out.
"Why's she so crabby?" Zork looked at Luci.
"Maybe it's because you are so annoying," Luci sniffed.
I was crabby, too, although it wasn't because of Captain Zork. First, I had to fly across the stars to meet a mom I didn't even know, and now I'd have to wait on her hand and foot. I reached for a pancake as the eggs were long gone and as I put it on my plate, my head started to swim. The bile rose in my throat.
"Excuse me." Jumping up and covering my mouth, I ran for the bathroom door just as Katie was coming out.
"Spacesick?" she asked, watching as I rinsed my mouth. I mumbled something about a touch of the flu. She looked as if she didn't believe me. At this point, I wasn't sure I believed myself. I just didn't want to think about what this could mean. Katie disappeared for a minute and then returned with some soda crackers and ginger ale. "Come on." She indicated I should follow her to the bridge. "I've got it now, Andy," she called as she sat down and hit a bunch of buttons on her console.
"Do you have to?" Andy snapped. "I'm just starting to have some fun." He made sobbing noises as his circuits disconnected.
"So, Jo," Katie said as she gazed out at the stars, adjusting the plane with the yoke. "Sit down. I want to talk to you for a bit."
"About what?" I replied hesitantly, refusing to sit. "You know, I don’t have to do what you say."
"I know," she replied, now turning to me with icy blue eyes. "I can see you harbor a lot of anger at Caroline. When she comes aboard, you're going to swallow all that. You're going to act like the best daughter ever."
"What do you know?" I spat, crossing my arms in front of my chest. "You don't know the first thing about me or my life."
"I don't," she agreed. "But I do know your mom, and I know why she did what she did."
I put my hand on the door. I didn't have to listen to this tripe. There was no excuse for ever abandoning a baby.
"Listen to me, Jo," she persisted. "Now is not the time to punish her for the things she did wrong. Now is the time to forgive and to start over."
"Forget it," I sneered. "I don’t need to listen to you. You're the Empress that ran away from her husband."
"Well, I…" she started to explain.
"And, you left your son, just like Caroline left me. No wonder, you're busy defending her."
"I…"
"I know all about you. I googled your name. There are more than forty million hits on the web."
"Jo."
"I'm not a citizen of Rehnor so you can't order me to do anything, and from where I stand, it looks to me like you're no example to go by. Thanks for your advice, Your Highness or whatever you are, but I choose not to take it. Now, I'm going to bed before I puke up again."
"Goodnight, Jo," she muttered. "I hope by tomorrow you change your mind. Trust me. I know exactly what you're going through."
"You don't," I spat. "You truly have no idea." I pushed open the cockpit door.
"No, Jo. You're the one who doesn't have a clue. I've got close to forty years on you. Maybe even nine hundred fifty million more. I know what it's like to be pregnant and all alone."
"I'm not pregnant," I nearly screamed, letting the door slam back in my face. "How dare you make that insinuation?"
"Mhm," she nodded and turned her back to me, adjusting some controls on the console. "As a nursing student, you ought to have a clue. Listen to me, Jo. I don't care what you do after this is all over, but while Caroline is aboard, and while she's going through her treatment, you'll be the best nurse and daughter she could ever ask for. Afterward, I'll send you on your way. I'll even give you some money for your trouble, but you had better be a good actress and make Caroline think she's loved."
"And if I don't?" I demanded. "What if I tell you all to go suck rocks?"
"Then I will give you your money now and drop you off at the nearest spaceport, but you will never know what you missed, and there will never be a second chance. When you go to bed tonight, I want you to think long and hard." She rose slightly and then pulled something from the back pocket of her jeans. It was a shiny gold handled pistol with the initials KdK engraved on the front. Flipping open the cartridge, she blew air into the ammunition chambers. Then, she checked the sights and safety. Satisfied, she put it down, extracting an embroidered handkerchief from another pocket. "You never know what we may meet when we get to Omega Centauri," she continued casually, while lovingly polishing the gun. Then, she narrowed her eyes and smiled condescendingly at me. "Go get some rest, Jo, and try to eat a little, if you can. It's time for you to start thinking about someone other than yourself. May you be blessed with a healthy and happy child and may you never have to make the decisions that your mom and I had to make."
I didn't respond. I had no retort especially with her holding that gun. She seemed a little crazy. Who knew what she might do?
Quickly, I shut the door and returned to my berth. RJ was on her cell telling Aunt Sherrilyn about our adventure. She sure made it sound more fun than it actually was. I waved hello and goodbye and then, I climbed in bed to sleep. Tomorrow, I would figure out what would happen next.
Chapter 9
Berkan
"Berkan," my father said as he jogged into my office. "Let's go out for a run. You need some exercise. Your face is showing too much strain."
"Running is the last thing I want to do right now," I snapped. "I am far too busy to go make myself sweaty. Furthermore, it's raining in case you haven't looked outside. You'd be better off taking up rowing or go buy yourself a canoe."
"I suppose you're right." Loman sighed and stopped his jogging in place. He lay down on the floor and did push-ups instead. When he had counted to fifty, he rolled over and did curls, and when he had finished one hundred of those, he stood up and did squats.
"We have gym somewhere in the Palace," I told him. "Can't you go do your workout routine there? Really, Father, you are bothering me. You are disturbing my work."
"Actually, Berk," Loman said finally settling in a chair. "I need to request an appointment. Would you please put me on the Royal schedule?"
"An appointment with whom?" I didn't look up from my desk where hundreds of documents lay in no apparent order. Where was page one? I found fifty and fifty-two and under
them was page four and below that page three.
This was the original tax code of the planet of Amaterasu, which had appealed to Empire for inclusion amongst us. Prior to their admission, they would have to amend their rules and laws to conform to our regulations, or else the Emperor would not accept them within his realm.
"Lord Berkan," Eberly called, now sticking his head through the door.
"What?" I barked, finding page two, but still no page one.
"His Imperial Majesty summons you to attend him. You need to go there immediately. Lord Garing didn’t say why or what this is about."
"Alright." I sighed and tossed the tax code down, waving to my father to come along. "Did you say you wanted an audience with the magnificent HIM? You might as well just show up there with me."
"Good idea, Berk." My father clapped me on the back as he bolted off jogging again. He ran across the building and up two flights of stairs whilst I waited for the lift and then stepped inside.
Together we entered three sets of offices and knocked upon three guarded doors. After waiting another forty minutes, we finally stood before the Imperial Presence as he sat behind his Imperial Desk. We waited for the Imperial Hand to hang up the Imperial Phone. Then, we watched as the Imperial Finger lit an Imperial Cigarette.
"Loman," the Imperial Mouth spoke. "You are in excellent health. I commend you. On the other hand, Berkan, you are sorely in need of a vacation."
"Indeed, Sir," I replied. "Though there is no time for that. There is more work than hours in the day."
"Ah, but Berkan," he continued. "We are not growing any younger. Some matters we shall just have to learn to delegate to someone else. We need to recognize our priorities and reorganize our lives so that the affairs that are most important to us are not forgotten."
"Why are you telling me this, Sir?" I muttered. "Am I doing an inferior job? Are you unsatisfied with the results of my position?"
"Not at all, Berkan. You are first and foremost my friend, and your health is what concerns me at this time. I shall be taking a bit of holiday myself, and I bid you do the same. When we return, we shall attack our work with a renewed vigor. Now, Loman." He turned to my father, directing his attention there instead of me.
My orders, I clearly understood, were to go on holiday forthwith. Why, I wasn't certain, but as I considered that and the tax code upon my desk, I decided vacation was indeed the best course of action. It was pity Luci was still away for at least another week or two, as she traveled to some planet in Omega Centauri.
On the other hand, a holiday all by myself, at my estate in Korelesk might be just the ticket to rejuvenate my life. I'd wake up late and have a substantial meal prepared by my cook and staff. Then, I read the news whilst sitting by my pool. After lunch, I'd have a massage or play a round of golf. Dinner, I'd enjoy in my den. I would watch six football games simultaneously. I'd stay up late or all night. I'd have a night-cap at midnight and another at two. If I felt like it, I'd go to bed. If not, I'd stay awake. Yes, a vacation was just the ticket for me.
"What may I do for you, Loman? You have a request that you wish to ask?"
"Yes Sir," my father replied and to my surprise, he blushed a little. He glanced down at his feet as he did when he sought to compose his words. "I wish to ask for your permission to marry Charlotte Golden."
His Imperial Majesty burst out laughing, and I must confess, I, too, was stunned and amazed.
"Are you serious, Father?" I turned to my dad, "Or are you out of your bleeding mind?"
"I am entirely serious," my father snapped. "And, I resent your attitude, Berkan. I dearly love Charlotte as none before. I'd like to share my life, for however long it shall remain, with the lady in a state of wedded bliss."
"Have you asked the lady?" My Imperial Cousin inquired, his own voice strained with disbelief. "What says she to this? Does she wish to become your wife, or has poor Manny bid her to stay true to him?"
"I haven't asked her yet," my father admitted whilst frowning at the abundance of Imperial Mirth. "I'm glad you find it so terribly humorous too. I'm truly happy that I could lighten your day. Had I known that this is all it would take to banish your irritable disposition, I would have requested permission many months ago."
"Indeed, it has improved my mood far better than anything else these days. I wonder if it shall do the same and jolt my wife out of her depression. Well, Loman, I must say, you are welcome to Charlotte. Feel free to proposition the lady and act upon her response. Good luck, dear Uncle, I truly wish you well. I have doubts now of your sanity, but that in itself is overrated. Surely, madness can be enjoyed as much as good health."
"I do as well," I admitted. "Your sagacity is in question, though Father, I give you my blessing too."
"Thank you, Sir." My father bowed. "Thank you, Berkan for your faith. Now, the two of you shall be brothers as well as cousins."
He departed the Imperial Presence, who I then joined to toast our mutual parents with an Imperial Drink.
"Is he really going to marry her?" I knocked back my vodka.
"You'll just have to wait and see. Now go off to Korelesk and enjoy your vacation time."
"Would you care to come with me?" I asked on the off chance that he would. "I promise non-stop football and a drunken bash."
He shook his head and demurred. "I do thank you, Berk, but I've already got plans I cannot alter. Perhaps, another time when our wives have returned to annoy."
"Perhaps." I bowed and let myself out.
Chapter 10
Katie
"Hold on!" I yelled. "Zork, can you get that door to open a little wider? Taner, carry her up the steps and then I'll grab the wheelchair separately."
"That's alright. I've got it," a guy said while folding the wheelchair as Taner lifted Caroline in his arms.
"Steady!" Luci called. "Don't miss that step there, Taner. Come on. Follow me to your cabin. Caroline, you're about to embark on a magnificent luxury cruise."
"What time is bingo?" Caroline asked, forcing a smile though her arms fell weakly into her lap instead of clutching Taner's neck.
"I'll take the wheelchair," I insisted and tried to pull it away from the guy. I didn't want to stand there and helplessly watch.
"I've got it," he laughed as we played a sort of tug of war.
"Alright, fine." I let it drop and watched him bound up the freightplane's boarding stairs.
"Ready, cupcake?" Zork approached after completing his debarkation inspection and survey of the freightplane's skin. He put his hand on my butt cheek. "I did my exterior inspection, and now I'm ready to inspect your interior."
"You don't stop, do you, Zork?" I removed his hand and mounted the stair. "Let's shove off. We've got quite a long way to go."
"I'm always at your service, Goldie. I'll do whatever you want. I'll do it where and however you would like. Your bed or mine, Princess. By the way, speaking of bed, did you figure out your cabin assignments?"
"I don't know," I said as he followed me on board the ship, reaching again for my butt, although I kept slapping him away. "Luci's supposed to be working that out. You don't want a roommate, by chance? If Taner stays with Caroline, we don’t know where to put the doctor. "
"I don't want a roommate, Goldie, unless it's going to be you. I'm not sharing my bed with any guy. I'm definitely not into that kind of stuff."
"Not your bed, Zork, just your cabin. That's fine. We'll just put him on the couch right here in the main salon."
"Are you sure you don't want to join me, Goldie?" He put his arms around my waist. "Having you aboard all this time is really bringing back the memories. Remember, our first trip in space together? There was magic between us right away."
"Zork, all I remember is you puking all over me and Dave Northgate the first time we left Planet Earth. Any good memories you think you have, are just in your imagination."
"Well, let's make some new ones, Golden Girl. How about it later tonight? We'll let Andy take the com, and you and
I will go check out our inner space."
"Zork," I said. "I'm truly flattered by all this attention, but I'm not looking for anything else right now. I'm just trying to help a seriously ill friend."
"I understand." He nodded and glanced to the side and then pursing his lips, he smiled. "How about one little kiss between two old friends. Come on, Goldie, just give me one right here." He pointed at his lips with laughter in his eyes, and for a moment, I almost relented. We were old friends although we hadn't talked in forty years. Still, there was something kind of appealing in his charm, especially after he took a shower. "One little one," he pressed, "one teeny tiny peck. Give me that and I won't bother you anymore or at least until tomorrow."
He leaned down to my lips, and instinctively, I closed my eyes. I wondered what it would feel like to be kissed by another man. I could feel his breath on mine, the bristles of his beard as they touched my cheek and for the briefest millisecond, his lips connected with mine.
"Oops!" Someone yelled as Zork, and I were knocked off balance. While still hauling the wheelchair, Caroline's doctor had plowed right into us.
"What the hell are you doing?" Zork raised his fist and aimed straight for the doctor's head.
"Oh, excuse me, I'm so sorry. Did I interrupt something important?"
"Yes!" Zork cried.
"No!" I disagreed.
"Zork!" Andy yelled. "You need to come to the cockpit right away!"
"I'll be back later, Goldie." Zork glared at the doctor as he once again pinched my cheek. "We'll finish what we started later tonight."
"Zork!" Andy screamed again. "Zork, it's an emergency!"
"I'll be along in a minute," I called as Zork bolted away.
"Gosh, I'm so sorry," the doctor said, pushing his glasses up his nose and smiling shyly in a way that was totally déjà vu.
"Who are you? Oh my god, are you related to Jerry?"
He blushed and shook his head, sending his glasses slipping down his nose again. "It's an honor to meet you, Your Royal Highness. I confess, I've always admired you. Meeting you is just like a dream come true. Honestly, I can't believe I'm standing here."
