“Then you should have sent them someplace better.” He dipped one of the spoons into the ice cream and brought it to his mouth. He closed his eyes and moaned, a look of pure rapture on his face. “This is good.”
“Better than what you have on your planet?”
“No, but it will do for now.”
So much for getting him hooked on junk food. Apparently, they had their own on New Symtaria.
She set the moon pies on the table and poured them each a glass of orange soda. It wasn’t the sophisticated meal she had imagined, but this would probably be a lot more fun.
She joined him at the table and, after setting the drinks down, grabbed a spoon. The ice cream was good.
He took a drink, then reached for a chocolate bar. She had a sudden light-bulb moment of inspiration. “Do you know what else you can do with chocolate?”
He paused in tearing off the wrapper. “What?”
“Don’t eat it yet.” She stood and went back to the pantry. She glanced over her shoulder when she heard just the slightest sound of ripping paper. “Don’t eat it,” she warned, then grabbed a bag of marshmallows and a box of graham crackers.
“You have a lot of good food,” he said, eyeing the new treats.
“Too much. This is why I have to run every day.” She ripped open the bag of marshmallows and brought out two. Then one cracker each, and broke them both in half. “Okay, give me the Hershey bar.”
He looked at the bar, then back at her.
“Trust me, you’ll love this.”
He reluctantly handed her the bar of chocolate. She broke it in half and placed one half on the cracker, topped it with a big white marshmallow, and smashed a cracker on top of it. Then she repeated everything.
He reached for one.
“Not yet. We have to put them in the microwave first.”
He flinched.
“What?” she asked.
“Rogar said microwaves are dangerous.”
“Well, they’re not.”
“He said they make pretty lights on the inside, then begin to smoke and burn.”
And she wondered what exactly he’d put in the microwave. “But then, I know what I’m doing.”
He didn’t look assured.
“What? Do you think women aren’t capable of doing anything?” She hoped he didn’t come from a planet of cavemen. If he did, she was more than ready to set him straight!
“Women are equals. They have been rulers, and contribute as much as men.” He grimaced. “Their powers are much greater than men’s, which can cause discord at times.”
“Greater powers, huh?”
He nodded, not looking very happy.
She put the s’mores on a saucer and carried them to the microwave. He followed. “Why does it bother you so much that women can be superior? I mean, why can’t women have greater powers?”
“Because they are more emotional than men. They sometimes act before they think.”
She had a feeling he’d caught the brunt of more than one woman’s anger. She didn’t care too much for the thought of his being with other women.
“Any woman in particular on New Symtaria?”
“A witch.”
“Witch?”
“It does not matter.”
And she had a feeling it didn’t. At least, not to him. She was glad he didn’t have someone waiting for his return. Not that she could do anything about it if he did. Now she really needed chocolate.
She turned the microwave on and watched through the glass as the conglomeration began to melt. After a few seconds, she took them out, and carried them back to the table. Rather than follow, he opened the door of the microwave, waved his hand inside, then shut the door.
“I think you’re right. It does not look dangerous.”
“Try this. Be careful, though. They’re probably still hot.”
He tentatively took a bite, then closed his eyes in rapt delight. He didn’t say anything until he finished eating all of it. “More.”
She waved her arm over the table. “They’re almost as much fun to make. Go ahead.”
“I don’t cook.”
She arched an eyebrow. “If you want another one you will.”
“You’re stubborn.”
“I know.”
He reached for a cracker, then unwrapped another chocolate bar and placed half on top. Next came the marshmallow, but when he put the cracker on top and smashed it down, the cracker broke into small pieces.
“It didn’t work,” he said.
“It’ll still taste just as good.”
He carried it over to the microwave and did exactly as she had done, then carried it back to the table and sat down. He seemed quite proud of himself.
“You conquered the microwave,” she said.
“Of course, I’m a warrior.” He grinned. He took a bite and chewed. “How did you learn to make these?”
“My mom. We used to go camping a lot. Dad loves to fish. At least twice a year we would go to the mountains and pitch a tent. At night, Daddy would build a fire and we’d roast hot dogs, and then after supper, marshmallows.”
“You love your family very much.”
“Don’t you love yours?”
“Yes. There are many, but we are very close. We have celebrations throughout the year.”
“What do you celebrate?”
He shrugged. “Our ancestors, the gods. We give thanks that we found a new home. Sometimes you don’t realize how precious something is until you’ve lost it.”
Was he talking about the two of them? Warning her that when he left, she’d never see him again?
“You have chocolate right here.” He stood, came around to her chair, and slipped his hands beneath her arms, raising her to her feet. Then lowered his mouth.
He kissed her as if it was the last time he would ever kiss her. Tears filled her eyes, and slipped down her cheeks. He held her close, not letting her go when they broke apart.
“Shh, don’t cry,” he whispered.
“But what are we going to do? I can’t see myself flying through the air. Do you know how long it took me to get up the courage to swing? I was twelve! I’m pathetic, but I can’t help it.”
She looked up at him with pleading eyes. “Why can’t you stay? You like the town and the people all seem to like you. We could make a life here—together.”
“And what would I do?”
“I don’t know. Get into security or something. We could work something out. Or we could run my grooming shop together. You’re really good with animals, especially Sukie.”
“I can’t. I have responsibilities.”
Sadness filled her. “So do I.”
“It would seem there is no solution to our problem.”
“It would seem like it.”
Her cell rang. She moved away from him and went to answer it.
“Hello.”
“Ria, this is Jeanie.”
She immediately went on alert. “What is it?”
“Katie isn’t feeling well. I think she’s getting the crud that’s going around. She told me not to bother you, but
