“Don’t worry about that. The system knows how to do its job.It’s our job to trust the programming.”
“But…I guess I just didn’t expect…holy shit,” Poppy stuttered,still in shock.
“Poppy? Are you okay? I really wanted to tell you in personbut I was so excited I couldn’t help myself. You’re actually one of the firstfive women matched. Can you believe it? I’m so happy for you. This is amazing.We need to start getting things going so you can meet and greet and start thetrial period. Did you talk to your sister yet?”
“Um no…I actually was planning on cooking her dinner to goover all the info tonight and let her know that the schedule’s been moved upsince I had my exams today. Now I’m going to have to tell her I already have amatch. She’s going to kill me!” Poppy breathed in and out heavily.
“Calm down, Poppy. Everything is going just like it’ssupposed to. Just a little faster than we anticipated,” Valerie said in asoothing voice.
“And the trial period? When does he want to do the meet and greet?I haven’t even started packing anything. What about stopping my mail and payingmy bills? What about―”
Valerie interrupted the mini-breakdown Poppy had decided tohave. “Poppy. Listen to me. I am your liaison. I am here to help. I can evenmeet with your sister if you need support when breaking the news. Don’t worryabout your mail. I’ll take care of that when it’s time to set up the storagefacility. That goes for any bills you have due as well. My job is to make thisprocess as easy as possible for you, both mentally and physically. Do you needme to head your way to help with your sister? I can be there in about an hour.”
“No, I can talk to Pixie myself. I may need to call inbackup though if she starts asking questions about things that I don’t rememberpaying attention to. Or if she tries to strangle me,” Poppy said, reaching infor a cider from the sack. Taking a rather large sip, she asked, “Can I callyou back tonight if I need you?”
“Absolutely. I’m here to help any way I can. We want to setup the meet for tomorrow morning. Can you pack tonight after talking to yoursister? I want you to focus on getting your stuff together and talking to yoursister. Call me as soon as she leaves so we can figure out a time you can comein. You may want your sister with you. There’s nothing saying the family can’tmeet your potential husband.”
Poppy nodded and then realized that Valerie was unable tosee.
“Okay, wish me luck. Pixie’s a pistol. And, Valerie?”
So many questions were running through her head but she didwant to get one thing out to the liaison, who was now seeming more of a friendthan anything else.
“Yes?”
“Thanks. I may be shocked right now but I’m also actuallyexcited. I really appreciate you calling me and helping get all the small stuffout of the way. I just can’t believe this is happening.”
“You’re welcome, Poppy. I’m so happy for you. I have a goodfeeling about this.”
* * ** *
Breaking the news to her sister was actually easier thanPoppy had expected. Pixie was somewhat preoccupied and had mentally checked outof the first part of the conversation. It wasn’t until Poppy said she’d alreadybeen matched that Pixie decided to check back in.
“What the fuck did you just say?” Pixie dropped the piece ofgarlic bread she’d been preparing to shovel into her mouth.
Poppy tipped the bottle of wine and topped off Pixie’s glassyet again. Not a bad idea to keep Pixie tipsy if she could help it. Liquidcourage for herself actually wasn’t a bad idea either and she decided to fillup her glass with her favorite sweet red wine. Now that she was thinking aboutit, did aliens have access to alcohol or should that be one of the things shepacked to take? That was definitely on the call list for Valerie later.
“I was saying that I was matched today. Yay!” Poppy saidwith a gigantic fake smile and raised her wineglass, hoping her sister wouldfollow her lead.
“Poppy— Poppy— Fuck! I don’t even know where to start! Areyou sure you have a match? I thought these things took weeks or months. This istoo quick―are they going to try to take you away from me tonight?”
“Pix, what’s going on with you? I went through the firsthalf of the meal answering all the questions you had yesterday and you didn’teven pay attention. Are you okay? Plus, you’re about to cry…you never cry. Andwhat do you mean, ‘take me away’? You act as though I’m going to get snatchedoff the street. You have a life, sis. I don’t. You have a great job andboyfriend. I don’t. I can’t even get a cat in this stupid apartment to becomethe crazy cat lady. I need this. Or, at least, I need to see if this willwork.”
Poppy pleaded with her eyes for Pixie to understand whereshe was coming from. She knew she was on the verge of tears herself but knewalso that if she cried then they would both start blubbering. When her sistertook a deep breath in, Poppy braced herself for more yelling. She was verysurprised when Pixie spoke in a small voice.
“I am happy for you. I think this is a good thing…at leastit’s something you need to do to knock yourself out of whatever rut you havebeen in. These problems at work are grating on me and it’s as if Brenda isfucking up on purpose. I don’t know why she would do that, but it’s making mecrazy. Maybe she wants my job…or she’s just an idiot and because we’re friendsshe thinks she can get away with all these mistakes. Brian is still actingweird and when I tried to talk to him last night he brushed me off.”
Shaking her finger at Poppy, Pixie smiled. “And don’t evenmention getting a
