Page 12 of So I Married an Alien
I do my morning work in an hour, then get online to browse for clothes.There are other Karthinians on Earth—look at me, knowing how to say it properly—but the pictures I find are all of handmade goods.It’s $150 for a single shirt that would fit his arms.
Oh boy.
On my lunch break, I place a call to the tailor Kendall suggested.
“He has four arms,” I repeat when the older woman on the other end doesn’t know what to make of my request.“He’s an alien.My husband.I need a bunch of clothes for him.”
The tailor is quiet for a moment, then she answers, “I can provide a bulk discount.Bring him into the shop tomorrow.”Then she hangs up.
Well, that works for me, I guess.A bulk discount sounds appealing.
I’m nervous all day, though, wondering what Roth’kar is up to alone at home.I probably shouldn’t have told him to go explore.He doesn’t know how traffic signals or pedestrian crossings work.He doesn’t have money and he doesn’t have a map.He doesn’t even have a cell phone so he can call me if something goes wrong.
Man, I’m an idiot.I hope Roth’kar isn’t a pancake when I get home.
Since I can’t very well run to my condo in the middle of the day and I don’t have a landline, I use my anxiety to go internet shopping for things we’re going to need.First thing I do is buy him a phone, then a nice waterproof case to go with it.On my way home, I’ll make a copy of the house key and pull out some cash to give to Roth’kar should he go wandering about.
I left him food in the fridge but neglected to show him how to use the microwave.God, I’m bad at this alien wife thing.
After lunch, I get some more work done, just enough to get my urgent tasks off my plate.The rest can wait until next week.Then I make up an excuse to my boss about not feeling well and leave the office early.
I drive home as fast as I can and roar into the parking garage with a squeal of my tires.When I get back to the condo, the door is unlocked, which I hope means that my new husband is at home and safe.But inside, the lights are off, and I can’t see anyone.
Fuck.
“Hello?”I call out.“Roth’kar?”
There’s no answer.I flip on the lights and peer into my room, then his room, both of which are dark.
Damn.The afternoon is fading fast.He must have gone somewhere, and I gave him no tools whatsoever with which to survive.
Then I hear a yawn, and spin around to find four hands rising into the air above the couch.Roth’kar sits up, then yawns again, covering his mouth.
“You’re back,” he says, getting to his feet abruptly.
“So I am.”I let out a relieved breath.“I’m glad you’re here.”
He simply nods.“I tried to exit the building as you suggested, but when I followed the signs forexit, a very loud alarm went off.I was escorted back to your apartment by a rather large man in a blue uniform.”
I knew it would all go wrong, but at least he didn’t get any farther than the fire exit.
“I’m so sorry.”I fall into one of the chairs at the table.“I should have at least shown you around before suggesting you go out.”
Roth’kar sits across from me and reaches out to put a gentle hand on my arm.“It’s no cause for concern.I explained the situation, and the uniformed man led me back here.”
I shake my head.I can’t believe he’s had a run-in with the cops already, and I haven’t even had time to explain that he should avoid them.
Roth’kar continues.“He said, however, I need some sort ofvee-sa?”
I squint.“Vee-sa?Oh!A visa!”I didn’t even think about that.All aliens that settle on Earth need a galactic visa, and one of my first priorities should have been to take him to the registration office.
That will probably take all day.At least we won’t have to go to the DMV, though.
“Wow.Good thing that cop was understanding,” I say with a sigh.That could’ve gone badly very quickly for Roth’kar.Now I feel even worse.“Did the matching agency give you a temporary visa?”
Roth’kar stares at me.“I do not know what this vee-sa is.”
“It’s, like, a really stupid permit you need to have to be on Earth.I can’t believe Gazargo didn’t give you one.”
