Ben came running over. “Yo, Kara, turn the TV on the news, there’s a Space-Girl making an address to the UN.” said Ben. Kara turned on the TV set behind the counter, and they saw the New Space-Girl Michelle, formally Space-Girl Carmella on TV. The girls didn’t know much about her, but had heard she was a decent lady who spent a lot of time protecting the outer areas of the galaxy so she could be a little short on protocol.
“People of earth, there has been of concern about our presence here. I promise, we are only here as a protector, we really don’t want much to do with you, but the attack on your world has drawn you into something bigger. Let’s face it, the only beings who would tolerate the corrupt and evil in your governments are the same beings who would enslave you. There have been fears of us drafting your people for the wars in the galaxy. Again, that is stupid, you commit wholesale infanticide through abortion, maybe you should fix that first, before you worry about your sons and daughters who survived pregnancy running off to join us. People are worried we’ll alter your cultures and tell you how to live, again those are stupid rumors. God and Jesus Christ told you how to live better two-thousand years ago and instead of listening, so many of your leaders have failed you. So seriously, lighten up a little about us keeping you from being conquered, and go back to your little angry lives being the little itty-bitty puppets of greedy people.” stated Space-Girl Michelle to the UN.
“Fuck.” said Kara.
“She laid that out flat.” said Ben.
“I’m okay with that.” said Therese.
“I have been asked if we are here for your natural resources. I get that you like killing each other over them, but again, what you value we have in abundance on other worlds. We’re only here because if we are not, you will be killed, enslaved and your planet ravaged. If you doubt me, look at our space cruisers, if we wanted you defeated, you would be. Where is the leader from Poland, oh hey, there you are (Space-Girl Michelle said pointing at the Representative from Poland), I need to find a good spot to get some pierogis, would you mind talking to me when this is over, because it is.” Space-Girl Michelle said, ending the press conference. The camera panned and watched Space-Girl Michelle walk over and greet the Polish representative with a hug and walk off camera together.
“What are pierogis?” Therese asked Ben.
“They are like these little dumplings that are boiled then fried and they have potatoes, cheese and seasoning in them.” said Ben.
“I so need to pregnancy eat that sometime.” said Kara. Therese smiled, she was hungry for them too.
“Well, it’s not like we don’t have a spaceship, but we’d better get permission from Erin first” Ben said. The girls nodded in agreement. It was still a point of curiosity to all the Space-Girls, not just those on earth, whether Erin was back or if she had plans to stay. All they knew was the loss of Buck and the slaughter, and the bloodshed on Haremar had taken its toll on Erin and she was often absent from herself.
“Hey, I like that.” said Ben, looking at the picture of Buck on the wall. “Now he is still the first customer of the day. We’re the doing funeral over the sea, the Space Fleet is dispatching the cruiser Don-E to bring him home and for burial at sea.”
“Shut the fuck up, the Don-E?” asked Kara.
The “Don” or UFFPS (United Federated of Free Planets spaceship Saint Donatus-E was Space-Girl Michelle’s flagship, and although the Space Marines, Sailors and Girls/Boys were three separate entities, they cooperated to keep the galaxy safe. Michelle diverting her own flagship to bring Buck home was a symbol of respect to the team. The Don carried the banners of hundreds of planets and was considered an elite assignment.
All that anyone coming into the Cowffee Cup wanted to talk about was Space-Girl Michelle’s address to the United Nations, and this gave Therese and Kara a headache because they did their best to fight correcting everyone.
“I think they are going to start a holy war and kill one in the name of their religion, she is clearly a Christian.” said one angry woman.
“Think about it lady, God created the heavens and the earth, He flooded the earth, He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, I don’t think God needs a Space-Girl to kill anyone in His name.” said Therese.
The lady Therese corrected became angry and upset. “Well, that Space-Girl is going to stop my right to have an abortion.” said the angry lady.
“One, I really do feel sorry for any man who sells you his sperm because I don’t know any who would give it to you for free, and two you don’t have a right to abortion, just because some politician made it legal, doesn’t make it moral. You should find Jesus before it’s too late.” said Kara.
“I’ll have you know I am a Christian!” declared the lady.
“You can call yourself whatever you want, but it doesn’t make it fact. Truth is, you can’t be a Christian and support abortion just as much as no one whoever was a Christian oppressed people into slavery, while they themselves were a Christian. It’s just not compatible.” said Therese. Her words had a hint of slurring, but only Kara noticed.
“Good people mess up all the time, being a Christian just kind of means you are able to be forgiven, not a permit to sin.” said Kara. She had Therese’s back.
“I don’t come here for this.” declared the lady.
“Where do you usually take your hate?” asked Therese. The alcohol lubricated Therese’s words and they flew quickly.
“I’ll tell your boss.” screamed the lady, becoming angry and showing her true hate within herself.
“Go ahead. She doesn’t really care what hate thinks.” said Therese.
The lady turned red and raised her hand at Therese.
“Vade Retro Satana!” declared Therese, readying herself to fight back if attacked.
The lady turned and stormed out of the store red and hate filled. Stomping past the sign on the door above the rabbit that said “Cowffee Cup, Strong Coffee and Christian Overtones.” Kara appreciated the irony and wondered if Therese should have a smaller sign for alcohol-induced overtones.
The other patrons in the store cheered and clapped. Therese and Kara gave each other high fives and received a standing ovation from the patrons.
‘Why do you think people like that are so angry right now?” Kara asked Therese.
“I think they were always angry, they just have less self-control, and a Christian Space Fleet showing up probably took away a lot of their bullying power.” said Therese.
“But the Space-Girls aren’t about telling people what to think or what to believe, we are just true to our own faith.” replied Kara.
“Maybe it’s not us, maybe just because they would do terrible things to us, they fear we would do the same to them.” said Therese, pouring herself another Irish coffee.
“You’re not being too saintly there.” Kara warned her. The drinking continued to grow out of hand.
“I never said I’m a saint, but I need this right now more than I can explain.” Therese said taking a drink and then pouring a little more whiskey in the coffee. Kara frowned, she didn’t like the drinking.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
“Hi.” Peter said, walking over later to see Therese. Therese’s face lit up and she smiled and turned and kissed him. Peter liked the kiss, but he tasted the whiskey.
“You’re drinking at work?” asked Peter.
“We’re just having a sip, I found the bottle at Buck’s and wanted to see what it tasted like, do you want some?” Therese asked Peter.
“No, I’m driving us all home tonight, I don’t think that’s a good idea.” said Peter.
“I guess I had better get back to work.” said Peter, walking away.
“I love you.” said Therese, giving Peter another kiss before he walked away.
“I love, you.” said Peter, always happy to kiss Therese again.
Therese started mopping the floors, it would be time to close soon, and she liked doing her best to help Erin, still grateful to have the job. Kara started cleaning the prep area, soon it was time to close and they left, Therese riding with Peter and Ana.
“We really need to start going back to church. We’re still getting married in the church, aren’t we?” asked Peter.
“Of course, I want nothing more than that, even more than being a Space-Girl.” said Therese, still feeling butterflies in her stomach every time she kissed Peter.
When they arrived home, Therese took Ana and got her ready for bed. “I love you so much.” said Therese, picking up Ana and hugging her. Therese went to set her down, and then picked her up and hugged her again, loving the little squeeze hug Ana gave her. Finally, and tired. Therese put Ana to bed in her crib and pulled the blankets over her. The little girl was getting bigger and would need a toddler bed soon. Therese turned on a night light and turned off the bedroom light, and went to find Peter.
The morning sunshine woke Therese, she was up before Peter so she climbed out of bed and then checked on Ana who was asleep, so she started breakfast. Therese had expanded her cooking skills above cereal and started making french toast. Therese turned a rock station on low and enjoyed the rhythm as she cooked, excited that Peter would be happy to have breakfast ready. Therese started singing softly with the radio as she cooked, and danced in the kitchen, even if it was by herself.
Peter awoke and changed Ana and brought her out to breakfast, sitting her at the table. “You seem better.” said Peter, giving Therese a kiss.
“Much better, I was just going through some stuff.” said Therese, passing out breakfast to everyone.
“English 101 and Psychology 101. It’ll be a day, I should buy a thermos so we can quit buying coffee at the school.” said Peter, sipping the coffee Therese made him and smiling because the coffee always tasted better when she made it.
“Coffee.” said Ana, sipping from her cup and pretending the juice was coffee like her dad. Peter clapped and Therese cheered. Ana smiled, she was having a great breakfast.
“The Don is arriving tomorrow, they’re closing both stores in the evening so we can fly over for services.” said Therese, reading a text from Erin.
“Where are we doing it?” asked Peter.
“I think somewhere west of California, Buck had told Ed he was partial to the Pacific.” Therese said.
“I’m grateful he saved everyone’s lives.” said Peter, unsure what else to say.
“He didn’t hesitate. He just stood there and fought. But let’s not talk about that now, it makes me sad.” Therese said. Peter nodded, then put his plate in the sink after he finished breakfast and went to the shower.
“Your Great Grandpa was an amazing person.” said Therese to Ana, and then filled with grief, Therese went and took a sip out of her whiskey bottle, then another, and finally put it in the cupboard. The warmth in her throat numbed the pain in her heart. She was glad Buck had left her well-stocked with whiskey.
“Let’s get you ready.” said Therese to Ana, and picked her up and took her to her room and change her. Ben was still willing to watch her while they were in school, and with his own on the way and Vivo too, they discussed opening a daycare in the empty store next door. Ben seemed interested in both the possibility of profit and their own tax write-off for childcare expenses. Therese liked the idea of the kids growing up together, she always wished she had siblings and then remembered that she did.
“Hey, I’ll watch her while you shower.” Peter told Therese, already clean and changed. Therese thanked him and then ran to the kitchen, and took one more little sip to make the pain of losing her siblings subside. Therese then went to the shower and turned the water, she looked in the mirror and saw the ring had healed the bruises, then it was into the shower.
“Ah crap, are you guys really in this class too?” Gina asked as the three walked into English class.
“Mmmm, yah.” Peter said as they entered the English class.
“I guess I would have known if you didn’t take the first week of school. I have your notes.” said Gina digging through her bag and pulling out some stapled copies.
“Oh hey, you dropped this.” said Peter, leaning down and grabbing a plastic card off the ground, he picked it up and saw it was Gina’s work ID, for the hospital neat them. Peter looked at the ID, it said simply Gina CNA, had her picture and the hospital emblem on it. Peter smiled, Gina looked serious in her picture.
“Thanks, I’ll need that tonight.” said Gina.
“Where do you work at in the hospital?” Asked Therese nervously.
“The med-surg, but every once in a while I like it when they float me to the ER.” said Gina.
“How long have you been there?” asked Therese.
“Only about three months, but it’s cool, I like it. My mom is a nurse.” said Gina. Therese was relieved that Gina had not worked there when she was hospitalized.
“Thanks for the notes.” said Therese.
“You’re welcome.” said Gina, turning forward and readying herself for the class. Kara threw a look at Peter, she sensed trouble. Therese looked straight forward and tried to focus on the class.
Therese found herself not wanting to be there, despite she had wanted to go to college since she was a little girl, but Therese did her best to pay attention. The teacher was discussing MLA format for their papers and passed out a worksheet for the class to set up references. Therese’s thoughts drifted to the grass plains of Haremar and being squeezed by the gophers, felling her bones and joints crack and seeing Buck shot down then smashed.
Therese could still feel the Gopher King shaking her in her cage as she slammed into the steel bars, she was glad Erin slaughtered him. Therese looked up, her hands were shaking and she felt a cold sweat on her body. “Relax, breathe deep.” Therese told herself, slowing her breathing and breathing in and out through her stomach.
“Hey, class is over, we can go now.” said Kara.
Therese looked over, she looked around, most of the class had left, just Peter and Kara remained. “I’m sorry, I was just thinking.” said Therese, gathering her bags. They walked out, heading to the cafeteria to grab a bagel between classes.
“I think I forgot my pen, I’ll be right back.” said Therese, and went into the classroom, and made sure she was the only one in it, then she reached into her bag, pulled out the whiskey and took a quick few sips to calm her nerves. Therese put the bottle back in her handbag, and shuffled her belongings on top of it so it was at the bottom, then walked fast to catch up with Kara and Peter. Therese quickly caught up to them. The voices laughed from her heart but the whiskey helped numb them too.
“Did you find it?” asked Kara.
“Oh yah, it was right where I left it.” said Therese.
“Bagel and coffee time?” Peter asked.
“I’m in.” said Therese.
“Me too.” answered Kara.
After they purchased their lunch, the group sat together, and Therese liked eating with her friends. Therese smiled, she was happy to not be eating alone, and she was glad with her friends. Peter smiled, Therese still ate carefully and deliberately with her eyes forward. Kara shared texts with Ben, she missed him.
“Think Psychology will be hard?” asked Peter.
“I just think of it as a review.” said Therese.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything.” said Peter.
“Relax, I’m just kidding. I’m kind of excited about it.” said Therese.
“I’ll be back, I’m going to go grab a yogurt.” Kara said, getting up and walking away. Kara had seen Gina in line and wanted to talk to her, so Kara grabbed a yogurt and stepped in line next to Gina.
“Hi.” said Gina.
“I noticed you are talking to Peter, you know him and Therese are engaged.” said Kara.
“I know, but I get what you are saying, so tell me are you the pot or the kettle?” replied Gina.
“What do you mean?” asked Kara.
“You remember our senior prom?” asked Gina.
“Yah, I went with Justin, so.” replied Kara.
“I was home taking care of his baby, well my baby, I didn’t put that ass on the birth certificate.” said Gina.
“Shit, for reals?” asked Kara.
“Yes, he is very real. So yes, I talk to Peter, I have to spend two classes with you three. I spent three classes with Peter our last semester, and he is a smart kid, and if you really wanted to know, his cold sores he gets, yah, he got them from me, he was a little pissed about that, and probably more pissed I dumped him, but don’t act like I don’t know the guy, we dated for two months.” Gina said, and turned and paid for her food, but waited for Kara as she paid.
“I’m sorry, I just thought you were.” said Kara.
“Interested in him? I dated him for two months and he never told me he had a daughter, but he was kind to my kid, I’ll give him that. You know why I moved and took your old seat by Megan, it’s because I didn’t want to sit next to you after seeing you and Justin walking and laughing together while I was going home after school to change diapers.” Said Gina.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.” said Kara.
“It doesn’t matter, I’m glad you and Therese patched things up. Why don’t your guys work on that, and I’ll work on my degree. We’re good.” said Gina.
“Thank you.” said Kara.
“We’re good.” repeated Gina, and walking away. Gina was glad the conversation happened, she was still angry about Kara going with her ex to the prom, and she was glad to let off some steam about the frustration she called Peter.
Kara walked back to her friends, she felt guilty although she’d never known the truth about her prom date. Kara decided Justin was an asshole, but she was still suspicious about Gina wanting Peter, and she was worried about Therese. Kara was raised by a drunk mother, and she knew the signs.