We Come In Peace

by Lillian Francken

  The sudden little beep coming from the radar screen caused both men to jump up from their chairs and drop their reading material, but before either man could get a fix on the bleep, it was gone.

  “Did you hear that?” the senior man on duty asked.

  “Yeah, I think so,” his partner said in a voice that did not sound convincing.

  The two men looked at each other for the longest time. If it were indeed what they heard, it would not have disappeared from the screen so fast.

  “Must be a glitch. There’s no way a craft could have vanished off the screen so fast.”

  Although both men had been in Area 51 for some time now, no one felt there was credible Intel on aliens from outer space. The Cammo dudes tended to just go through the motions of keeping the area safe.

  CHAPTER 13

  By the time John and Bobby had the spacecraft safely tucked away back in the tool shed, a UPS truck pulled up the long driveway. Bobby walked out of the shed with John at his side and quickly shut the shed door when the driver stopped near where they were standing. The driver hung out the side door and handed Bobby the small next-day envelope.

  “Got a delivery for Elmer Judd,” he said looking at the two, puzzled as to who John was.

  Bobby stepped forward. “I’ll take it.” He looked at the envelope and wondered what could be so important to have it delivered that quickly.

  As fast as the UPS truck came up the drive, it was down the driveway and disappearing in a cloud of dust.

  “What is that?” John asked, curious why a truck delivered a package in the first place, given how things were done on their planet.

  Bobby shrugged. “Something Gramps ordered yesterday. Must be important,” he quickly added and then noticed the return address. “From some pharmaceutical company. I wonder if he is sick.”

  After they walked into the house, John goes upstairs while Bobby walked through the house with the envelope in hand looking for his grandfather. It was not until he entered the kitchen that he finally found him. Jenny and Elmer were sitting at the table. Elmer was drinking coffee while Jenny had her hands wrapped around a glass of iced tea. Bobby walked up to Elmer and handed him the UPS envelope. Jenny looked at Elmer with concern after quickly looking at the return address.

  “This came for you,” was all Bobby said as he looked at Jenny and rolled his eyes.

  Elmer accepted the package and just glanced up at Bobby innocently.

  “My medicine,” he said, with no other explanation.

  Jenny looked puzzled because it was her duty to make the monthly run for his maintenance medicine for his cholesterol and high blood pressure. It was not like her father to order anything online, let alone medicine.

  “Since when did you get your medication through the mail?” she asked.

  “It’s more economical to do it online,” was all Elmer mustered up to say as an explanation.

  Bobby walked over to the sink. He took a glass out of the cupboard and poured himself a drink of water. The kids in school only drank bottled water and turned their nose up at water from a faucet. Nevertheless, Bobby always enjoyed drinking the fresh water from their well. It beat any bottled water you could buy, and Bobby guessed that bottled water came from some well down the road in the first place. Bobby finally turned to Elmer.

  “A friend of mine at school said Widow Megal from down the road had been seen in the town lately.”

  Elmer frowned as he looked up at Bobby. “Melons are in season. What does that have to do with my medicine?”

  “No, Widow Megal,” Bobby corrected.

  It had become increasingly difficult to communicate with Elmer recently. His age caused his declining ability to hear, and his inability to seek help for the problem was causing havoc on the family front.

  Bobby just stared at Elmer, shook his head, and then yelled for all to hear, “You tell me who you’re watching with your binoculars.”

  “Birds! Can’t a man watch birds anymore?”

  Bobby just laughed while Elmer got up and walked over to the door with the envelope in hand. He quickly stormed out of the room.

  Jenny slowly got up and walked over to the stove. She opened the oven door to check on what was cooking. Once she assessed the meal, she turned to Bobby.

  “Tell your friends we will be eating in twenty minutes.”

  Bobby turned and quickly left the room before Jenny could ask him about school. It was a subject he never liked discussing with her, and he wondered why she even cared. His mother never took an interest, so he was confused that his aunt would not let the subject rest. Moreover, given what happened in school that afternoon, he was sure that the principal would be calling her to fill her in on the fight after school. It would not seem as innocent as it was. Bobby knew he would have to deal with it eventually, but for now, he did not want to think about it.

  After the ride with John earlier, all he had on his mind was helping him get the spacecraft operational. Not so they could leave, but he wanted to see what the craft was capable of. And, given the distance, John said they traveled, Bobby knew it was unlike anything on Earth.

  * * *

  By the time Jenny finished setting the table, Elmer and Bobby entered the kitchen, followed by John and Jane. They all sat down and waited for Jenny to serve up the food. Tonight’s menu consisted of Jenny’s mother’s favorite baked dish. Every family had their name for this dish. The Judd clan called it goulash. It consisted of ground beef, fried bits of bacon, tomato soup, mushrooms, onions, corn, and macaroni noodles. The baked dish was topped with a layer of buttered breadcrumbs that were toasted for the last fifteen minutes of baking. Along with this, they had a fruit salad with toasted garlic bread covered in mozzarella cheese.

  Once the food was on the table, all sat just looking at the dishes. Jenny, Elmer, and Bobby waited for their guests to serve themselves before they did. Jane and John, on the other hand, had no clue as to the proper etiquette or knew why the three watched them so closely.

  John took in the aroma of the food. His mouth watered in anticipation of what was to come. He had no clue what it was that was being served. He only knew he liked the smell and his mouth watered waiting to taste the food served. Jane on the other hand just stared straight ahead. She refused to let the earthlings see her excitement of eating another sampling of their nourishment.

  Jenny broke the long silence finally. “Eat up,” she said, looking at the two. “It was my mother’s favorite recipe,” she quickly added.

  John nervously picked up the serving spoon and scooped up a hefty helping onto his plate. He then took a slice of the garlic bread. Jane poked him. He suddenly realized the fruit dish he had to serve himself, even though he was a little leery about this recipe because it did not have the aroma the other dish had. Once his plate was filled with food, he sat back and savored in the aroma while the others at the table quickly served themselves, including Jane.

  John finally turned to Jane. “You should seek lessons.”

  Jenny smiled politely. “You haven’t tried it yet.” She turned to Bobby. “I thought you said they weren’t a couple.”

  “They aren’t,” Bobby responded and then glanced curiously at the two.

  John quickly picked up the fork and took a bite. He closed his eyes and moaned. “This is good.”

  Jane was taken aback. “And what I prepare to nourish our bodies isn’t?” she snapped.

  John turned to her. “There was always something peculiar about the taste of everything you prepared.”

  Jenny cleared her throat. An argument at the table was something she never tolerated. It was a time for communicating, and she insisted it always was civil. Her mother insisted on that at all times. There was enough dissension in the outside world. She did not want the anger of that world to seep in, especially not at mealtimes.

  Jenny cleared her throat. “How long do you plan on staying here?” she asked. Although it was no trouble having them there, Jenny was not running a bed and breakfast
inn. Furthermore, she would not allow the family to be taken advantage of. Granted, she didn’t own the ranch. It belonged to her father, but he was in no condition to handle this matter.

  Jane turned to John as if expecting his help in answering Jenny’s question. They both turned to Bobby who was looking wide-eyed at Jenny.

  “Is there a problem?” Bobby asked Jenny finally.

  “We can’t keep going like this. I’m not running a motel.”

  “What do you mean?” John asked in a way that was not meant as cocky. He genuinely did not understand the culture of earthlings and felt Bobby truly wanted them there.

  “Jobs, that is what I mean.”

  Jane and John turned to Bobby, who up until then had been their interpreter. They looked puzzled and wanted an explanation about what Jenny was saying. Both had jobs. Jane was the captain of this expedition while John was her navigator. It puzzled them as to what more Jenny wanted out of them.

  “Jobs?” Jane asked with a curious look.

  Jenny was not going to let Bobby cut into the conversation. She also was not going to let the family be taken advantage of. Granted, she liked the two, although she found them a little peculiar. Jenny finally turned to Jane.

  “Yes. Like in earning money to pay for food.” Jenny pointed to the food on the table. She shook her head at the puzzled look on Jane’s face before continuing. “What are you qualified to do?”

  John quickly cuts in. “Don’t let her prepare nourishment for the body.”

  Jane kicked John under the table, but everyone there could tell something had transpired by John’s sudden yelp and the thump that was heard by all.

  Jenny did not want to cause trouble between the two but was determined not to let it rest. “Have you ever done waitress work?” she asked.

  “Waitress work?” Jane said, repeating Jenny’s words. She had no clue as to what Jenny was saying.

  “Wait on people. Serve them food.”

  John almost choked on the food he was eating as he started laughing uncontrollably. Jane kicked him again. He suddenly became serious because Jane was the senior officer and eventually he would have to pay for his insubordination.

  “Sounds like a good job,” Jane said with a nod.

  Jane had overheard Jenny talking to Bobby earlier and knew Jenny was not at all pleased they were there. If it meant acquiring something called a job until John could get the spacecraft operational, then she would do her part in getting this job so eventually they could get off this planet.

  “You can start tomorrow then.”

  Jane turned to John. She nodded her approval as if it was important that he understand that this was something she had to do.

  “It’s an excellent job,” was all she said and then continued eating.

  In all actuality, she did not know what Jenny was talking about, or for that matter what a job was. It would be something she would have to ask Bobby later. He was aware that what Jenny was talking about earlier, and she was sure he would be of help now.

  Jane forced a smile and then turned to John before looking back at Jenny. “What kind of job is he qualified for?”

  John looked surprised while Bobby quickly cuts in. “He could deliver papers. I hear they are looking for a delivery person.”

  John turned to Jane and made a face. “Sounds like a good job,” he quickly responded. “I like the sound of a delivery person.”

  Jenny turned to Bobby with concern. She was not so sure that this would be a good job for John. After all, a delivery person should have some familiarity with the area, and she doubted whether either of their guests knew how to get into town let alone deliver things to the rural area.

  CHAPTER 14

  It was late. John and Jane had retired earlier in the evening under the pretense of having a busy day tomorrow. Bobby stayed downstairs playing checkers with Elmer as they usually did in the evening. Although Elmer had the beginning signs of dementia, Bobby enjoyed his grandfather’s company. Most of all, he enjoyed the stories of the old days. The only thing he did not enjoy was listening to Mario Lanza and all the old opera records that were the hallmark of Elmer’s record collection.

  Bobby glanced at his watch and then quickly jumped the last of Elmer’s pieces on the board. “I’m calling it a day,” Bobby said while yawning.

  “You ain’t giving an old man a rematch?”

  “There is always tomorrow.”

  Jenny glanced up from the book she was reading. She had wanted to talk to Bobby about school but never found the right moment to bring up the subject. Jenny feared she was becoming a nag when it came to Bobby and his academics. Nevertheless, she knew the importance of a higher education. If he did not get his high school diploma, a perfect score on the SAT was not going to be worth the paper it was written on.

  Bobby was out of the room and up the stairs before she could say anything. He quickly went down the hall, but before he entered his room, John peeked out of his room and motioned for Bobby to come in. Bobby looked surprised as he walked into the room. Jane was perched on the end of the twin bed against the outer wall with both hands on her knees. She looked up nervously at Bobby. John walked over to the other bed and sat down. He put his hands on his knees and just sat there in silence.

  “What’s up, dude?” Bobby asked.

  John rolled his eyes and motioned to Jane. “We have a problem,” John said with a sign.

  Bobby turned to Jane. “What’s wrong with her” She doesn’t look so good.”

  “It’s the job.”

  “What about it?”

  “She is worried about becoming a waitress.”

  “Why, what’s to worry about?”

  “In our world machines serve our nourishment.”

  “Machines,” Bobby said with a puzzled look.

  “Nourishment is a cluster of pills.”

  Bobby frowned at the thought of just eating pills instead of food. It now made sense how the two acted at mealtime.

  “You eat our food,” Bobby said, questioning the validity of just eating pills for nourishment.

  “Yes, and it has been most enjoyable. But the idea of waitressing has Jane scared.”

  Bobby turned to Jane, who looked at him with wide eyes and then spouted her objection. “I am a commander. I do not serve people. They serve me.”

  Bobby turned to John. All he did was nod his head. “She is right. It is not appropriate, as you would say, for her to serve food to others,” John said with a look of concern.

  “I cannot tell Jenny she won’t go to work with her tomorrow. You’re lucky she lets you stay here.”

  “Can’t she do something else?” John asked.

  Bobby frowned for a moment. He did not know how to explain to John the importance of Jane working so that Jenny let them continue staying there. Otherwise, there was no place for them to go.

  “Waitressing is easy,” Bobby said as if that was enough to explain the argument away.

  Jane turned to Bobby. “What do you do?”

  Bobby raised his hands. He walked over to the dresser. Thought for a moment and then turned to the two, who were just sitting on the end of the beds watching him closely.

  “Okay,” he said finally. “It’s like this. Let’s say our kitchen is the café. You walk in. After you sit down, Jenny hands you a menu.”

  “What is a menu?” Jane asked.

  Bobby sighed deeply. “That is something that lists all the food that you serve at the café. There’s usually a little slip of paper clipped to the top that lets you know what the specials are.”

  “What is special?” John asked.

  “That’s the feature of the day,” Bobby quickly responded. When he glanced at the two and realized what the next question was going to be, he quickly added, “The cook makes a lot of one item and offers it at a good price, hoping that a lot of people will want it, eliminating him having to cook different foods during the day. Does that make sense?”

  Both nodded their agreement to what Bo
bby asked. With that, Bobby picked up a couple of pieces of paper off the dresser. He walked over to Jane, handed her one piece and then gave John the other. He motioned them to look at the items.

  “Okay, the menu has everything that is being served here. You pick out what you want to eat. You do know how to read?” Bobby asked.

  Jane looked up at him. “I am a quick study. Before entering your atmosphere I connected to your Library of Congress and had inputted all your books into my memory cells,” she said nonchalantly.

  “Wow. I would like to tap into your motherboard,” Bobby added.

  Jane turned to John. “Interpret.”

  Bobby waved his hand to get their attention. “Let’s not get sidetracked here.”

  Bobby pointed to the make-believe menu and then continued, “You let me know what you want to eat. I write it down.” Bobby pretended to write something on the paper he was holding. “I then give it to the cook.”

  “What is the cook?”

  “That’s the person who will prepare your food.”

  “Why can’t I be the cook?” Jane asked.

  John choked as he tried to hide the fact he found humor in Jane preparing the nourishment for consumption.

  “Because they do not need a cook. They need someone to take orders and serve the food. Hence they need a waitress.”

  “Then what do I do after I serve the food.”

  “If they ordered coffee, you make sure you keep their coffee cup full.”

  “Why can’t they do it themselves?”

  “Because it is your job to do it.”

  “Sounds counter-productive.”

  Bobby shook his head. “That is the way it is.”