Page 13 of Tattle Tail
Ah. Perfect Peaceable had emerged from a pressure cooker of parents demanding perfection. Sympathy stirred in Joseph. Not that Valerian had been the sort to demand perfect grades or anything more than his best effort, but he understood not wanting to disappoint loved ones.
“My mother is also difficult to shop for,” he said. Her ears moved forward, indicating that he had her attention. He continued, “She has so many new interests that if I purchase organic wool for her loom, she’s moved onto the next thing. I realized it was better to give an experience, rather than something that’ll collect dust.”
“An experience…” Her voice trailed off, thinking. “I do not know that I can afford to send them on a trip, but the thought is pleasant.”
“It doesn’t have to be a trip. Maybe dinner at a restaurant they love or always wanted to try. A show? A tour of…” He fumbled for something that classy people toured. “Gardens?”
“Gardens? In winter?”
“There has to be an ice sculpture garden somewhere. That’s a thing that planets have.”
Her tail waved behind her, and her lips pulled back just enough to expose a bit of fang. “That is a thing that planets have, yes.”
“Hey, don’t mock me. I’m trying to be helpful. There are plenty of other perfectly valid reasons to mock me.” He smiled, almost enjoying himself.
Peaceable waved to someone in the distance. Her posture changed; the playfulness was gone. “Thank you for your wisdom, Joseph. I will consider your words, but I must rejoin my mother.”
Peaceable
Too late. Tolerance spotted Peaceable chatting with Joseph. Drawn like a predator circling prey, the older woman pounced.
“Who is this? Is this the male?” Tolerance’s posture was friendly and open, her ears alert and her tail swaying, but her eyes were hard.
Peaceable jolted from the table, standing stiff as if for inspection. Her tail slinked low. “Mother, this is Joseph Moonquest. My…my fiancé.”
Joseph and Tolerance both gasped.
“Fiancé?” He blinked.
“Yes, my fi…fiancé,” she said, stumbling over her own lie.
She closed her eyes. The lie was out now. The truth would follow, and she’d have to explain to her mother that she panicked and—
“I thought we were going to wait to make the announcement, sweet pea,” Joseph said, a huge grin on his face.
“We were?” Peaceable asked, confused at his response.
“You got excited, didn’t you?” He slung an arm around her, casually, as if this level of touching was normal.
Tolerance’s eyes were huge. Her tail twitched back and forth. Peaceable had no idea if her mother was excited or annoyed.
“It is my fault,” Tolerance said. “I pressured her until she told the truth.”
“The truth,” Joseph said, slowly turning his head as he dragged out the word. “What an interesting concept.”
Peaceable wanted to hide her face, change her name, flee the planet, and start a new life on a distant asteroid.
“You didn’t tell me your mom was here, sweet pea.” Joseph pulled her against his body, squeezing. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Daval.”
He extended his right hand in the human greeting. Tolerance blinked, then touched her palm against his.
“Sorry, humans shake hands when introduced.” He wrapped his hand around Tolerance’s and gave it two pumps.
“That does not seem hygienic.” Tolerance indiscreetly wiped her hand against her wrap.
Joseph, to his credit, ignored the insult. “That is a charming color. I see where my sweet pea gets her impeccable style.”
“Thank you.” Tolerance plucked at the plush cream-colored fabric of the wrap. Iridescent strand had been woven into the knit, letting it sparkle like moonlight on snow. “How long have you known my daughter?”
