Because that’s just it. She’s survived just fine without me. She doesn’t need me.
I need to change that.
But first, the transaction. The sale.
She’s really going to sell her device? I almost don’t want her to. She deserves to be a global name for what she created.
Maybe Dad can talk to me and help me figure things out. He’s been pushing me on Ava as it is.
But when I call Dad, he doesn’t answer. Makes me wonder if he’s involved with whatever issue is going on with the overlord.
After a moment, I opt to call Mom. She’ll understand Ava’s point of view better than Dad would anyhow since both women are Earthlings.
“Rix,” Mom says warmly, “how is Earth?”
“It’s great. I’ve been out and about, exploring some.”
“Hmm. Your father told me about a woman named Ava.”
“Dad has a big mouth.”
“Yes, but he would say mine’s bigger.”
I just shake my head. “I’m glad he told you about her because I want to talk to you about her.”
“Sure, son. What do you want from me? Advice? Just someone to talk to?”
“Well, Ava is amazing. She’s smart and resourceful, and she’s inventive. She created a device that the overlord wants to purchase.”
“Okay. He wants you to get the deal done, doesn’t he?”
“Yes.”
"So, what's the issue?"
“To make her device, Ava needed a plasma morpher. I got it for her.”
“Okay,” Mom repeats, dragging out the word.
“In exchange for a date.”
“Wow. How did the date go?”
“Great.”
“Until…”
I heave a sigh. Mom could always see right through me.
“Until I invited her back to the ship so I could show her my bedroom.”
“You wanted to sleep with her.”
“Yes! Err, yes,” I grimace, hating how enthusiastic I sound about the idea of fucking a girl when talking to my mom. It’s embarrassing.
“She’s not happy with you.”
"No. I haven't seen Ava since, actually, but I have thought of her and—"
“How long has it been?”
“A week and a half.”
“Rix, you need to go and talk to her.”
“I know, I know. I just… Do I start with the deal? Securing that first? Or do I try to make amends and make headways with her romantically first? Or will that complicate matters with trying to get the deal?” I run a hand through my hair.
“You can try to just talk to her and see how that goes. Apologize first. Be a friend to her.”
“I just… The overlord really wants this done. I don’t know if I can wait around, and…”
“What is it?”
“Mom, he even suggested that I romance her to get it, and I don’t want to risk her thinking that I just want her for the device.”
“Honestly, Rix, I don’t understand what the issue is. Just talk to her. Explain everything. It isn’t that hard, and it really is that simple.”
I wipe a hand down my face. “I don’t think it is because I’m afraid she won’t ever trust me. She’s not like other women. She… I think she’s been hurt before, and I don’t want to hurt her, but I already did. I fucked up.”
“Again, tell her all of this. She’ll appreciate your honesty, and honesty is the key to gaining trust.”
“You act like you know all of the answers,” I grumble.
Mom bursts out laughing. “That’s because I do know all of the answers, and besides, you called for advice. I’m giving it to you. What’s the issue? Your ego not letting you accept my advice?” She hesitates. “You called your dad first, didn’t you?”
“I plead the fifth.”
“That’s not something that pertains to Kurians,” she protests. “That’s a distinctly American thing. You aren’t American.”
“You are.”
“I was,” she corrects softly. “There isn’t even a United States anymore.”
“Does that make you sad?”
“Yes and no. The world changes. Time marches on. It’s not worth it to make others unhappy. As the sand trickles in the hourglass, we want to be happy and spread that happiness, and right now, your happiness is tethered to Ava. Talk to her.”
“I will. I promise. I’ll figure everything out, but there is one thing I don’t know.”
“What’s that?” she asks, and I’m grateful. Normally, she would’ve teased me by saying there’s a lot more than just one thing I don’t know. She knows this isn’t easy for me, that I’ve been dealing with issues.
More than one issue.
Because I don’t want to return to Kuria without Ava. I doubt she’ll leave. Honestly, deep down, I don’t want to leave Earth, but if I can’t be on Earth with Ava, I don’t know if I want to stick around here forever after all.
It’s a giant mess, is what it is.
But that’s not what I want to know about right now.
“What’s the issue on Kuria?” I ask.
“Oh, you heard about that?” Mom asks.
“Yes. And?”
“Someone sabotaged a few ships.”
“What?”
“Don’t shout,” she admonishes. “Your dad is trying to salvage as much as he can from the ships.”
“Who would do such a thing?” I ask.
“We don’t know yet.”
“Wow. That’s huge. No wonder the overlord is having me handle this. That’s… Wow. I can’t believe it. No suspects at all?”
“Not yet, but your dad does think we’ll only be out one spaceship. It could have been a lot worse.”
“No one was injured?”
“No. Sorry. I should’ve said that right away. No injuries, but I don’t know why someone would want to do such a thing. We’ve been tinkering and upgrading the ships, and in a few months, your father was planning on retiring so he can help build more—”
“Oh, was he really?” I ask dryly. “When was he going to tell me this?”
“I think he was hoping you would take over for him and do all of the bringing of supplies and women back and forth between the planets.”
“There hasn’t been a run for women in decades.”
"There are also three or four to one male versus female Kurians," Mom points out. That many more males means the female shortage is significant. The overlord was going to ask the Earthlings for more females before all of this mess blew up."
“Hmm.”
“Yes, I wondered that
