Page 8 of So I Married an Alien
“Ooh, so it’s famous even in space?”
I spent the last three days hurriedly tidying up, making as warm and welcoming of a space for him as I could.I got rid of a lot of junk, which I tend to collect, to make my apartment feel a little more minimalist—like he could add his own details to it.
I want this to be a home for both of us someday, if he’s open to it.He seems shy and reserved, but after learning where he comes from, I think I understand.He’s probably overwhelmed by Earth, and I need to give him time and space to get settled before I can get to know the true Roth’kar.
“This is it,” I say, gesturing at the kitchen off to the right of the entryway, and to the living room up ahead.“Home sweet home.”
Roth’kar stands in the doorway, unmoving, as he takes in the apartment.I can’t read his expression, which seems to be the norm, as he scans each object.
“This is all yours?”he asks at last, stepping inside so I can close the door behind him.It’s a pretty average sized two-bedroom apartment.The kitchen is small, and in the bathroom, the door gets a little too close to the toilet.It’s nothing special.
“Allours,” I correct with a smile.His antennae jump to attention, and I find it curious how they seem to betray things his eyes don’t always get across.“Feel free to make changes however you like.I want this to feel like your place, too.”
He doesn’t speak for a long moment, so I head in to show him where he’ll be staying.But his voice stops me.
“Thank you.Thank you for… this.”
I don’t know whatthisrefers to, but I smile anyway.“No problem.Come on in.Let’s put your stuff in the bedroom.”
He stiffens briefly in the doorway.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be in the guest room.”I gesture to follow me, and I lead him away from the living room and down the hall, where there are three doors—two bedrooms and a bathroom.“You’ll be in here.”I open the bedroom door, gesturing to my bed.“And I’ll be over here.”
Looking puzzled, he follows me to the guest room, where the futon has been set up against the wall.
“But this is clearly your personal room,” Roth’kar says as he peers into my bedroom.“That’s where you usually sleep, yes?”
I give an uncertain bob of my head.“Sure.But you’re taller than I am, so you’ll be sleeping on the bed.Until, um, we decide on different arrangements.”
“Different arrangements.”He levels his gaze on me.“I must insist that you sleep in your own bed, Amara.And I will either sleep in it with you or in this other room, whichever makes you more comfortable.”
My mouth falls open.“You want to sleep together already?”
He cocks his head.“My translator says there are two meanings to this phrase.”
Oh, jeez.We’re not even close to that yet.
“In the bed,” I clarify.“You want to sleep there with me?”
“I am fine in the other room, as well,” he says with measured ease.
I had just assumed we’d sleep in separate places, being as we’re, well, strangers.Does he want to just jump right in?
That’s an approach, I guess.
“Um, why don’t we decide at bedtime?”I feel much too awkward for this conversation already.“I’ll make dinner, and we can talk about it.”
I head back to the kitchen, and after a beat, Roth’kar follows along behind me.There, I pull out chicken thighs, dried apricots and rice to make a tagine, thinking it might be fun to introduce him to some Moroccan food, where my mother’s family comes from.I’m a little Moroccan, a little Greek, with another small portion of Romanian thrown in from my father’s father.
Eventually Roth’kar seats himself at the dining room table, remaining quiet as I work cutting the thighs.I need to come up with something for us to talk about, but I’m the sort of person who has a single spicy Bloody Mary and tells you her life story, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
“Tell me more about living on a spaceship,” I say as I sear the meat.“This will take at least an hour to cook, so we have time.”
Roth’kar’s resting all four of his hands on the table, which looks like an optical illusion.“There’s not much to say.My living quarters were… not this big.”He glances around us at my tiny little condo, and he’s obviously impressed.What was it like where he comes from?“You have a lovely home, Amara.”
It’s so sincerely spoken that my face heats.“Oh, well, thank you.I think I’ve been wanting to share it with someone for a long time.I got this two-bedroom place last year, and I don’t know why.A room for my cat, I guess.Not that he used it.He was always trying to follow me into the bathroom.”
Roth’kar furrows his brow, waiting for his translator.
