Sunday In The Park

Waking to the familiar sounds and smells of a mother’s breakfast, Greta kissed Valia and wished her a good morning. “Mom’s up and from the smell of bacon cooking, she is in the middle of my breakfast.”

“I can’t wait to meet her,” Valia smiled.

Greta removed Valia from her neck and into the pouch in her pocket she went again. She threw on a top and her shorts and went to the kitchen. “Shomethin’ a shure shmells a good in heeahre,” she said, her hand down her shorts scratching her butt.

“Oh stop it and come here,” her mother said. Marlene was about an inch shorter than Greta, but when looking at her she was clearly her mother. She had the same features, the same carefree, do not mess with me disposition Greta had. They gave each other a big hug. “So, how was the wedding?”

“The wedding was great,” Greta replied. “I can’t wait for you to see the pictures, oh yes, and thank you for the outfit,” she added. “I found everything on super sale.”

“Here,” she said handing her a receipt. “I transferred $500.00 into your checking account which should be more than enough to cover your trip to D.C.,” Marlene said.

“M-my trip to D.C.?” Greta asked. “How do you know I am going to D.C.?”

“I got a call from Rose’s mother earlier.” “She found out from Rose over breakfast and asked that I speak with you about not ever inviting her on such foolishness again.”

“Foolishness huh?” Greta replied. “Well there are going to be over one million of us fools there.”

“Those were her words, not mine,” Marlene said. “I understand why you have to go.”

“Thank you mom, that’s means so much to me coming from you,” Greta said before giving her another hug. “This looks and smells delicious, as usual.”

“I won’t be around to watch you finish it I am afraid, Jean and I are going shopping. When do you plan on heading east?”

“Tomorrow I think, I believe I can do a route that takes me to New York first where I hope to see Sissy perform, then down to D.C.,” Greta replied.

“All I ask is that you be careful and call me often to let me know how you are doing, promise?”

“Promise,” Greta said. “Have a great day finding deals.”

Marlene smiled, blew a kiss at her and walked out the back door to her car in the garage.

She is a beautiful woman, Valia said.

“Yeah, I have always thought so,” Greta said. “Like mother like daughter.”

She heard Valia laugh.

Once Greta was sure her mother was gone, she put Valia around her neck. “So my dear, what would you like to do today?” she asked. “A return to the zoo as I promised, or perhaps an art museum, a movie, a quiet afternoon at home?”

“I will let you decide.”

Just then the first of what was to be many phone calls rang. It was Clarissa, “Hello, Greta?”

“My sweet beautiful peach fuzz darling Clarissa, what’s up?”

“I just wanted you to know that Robyn and I are planning on going to D.C. as well,” Clarissa said. “We need to be there.”

“That’s fabulous, how are you getting there?”

“We are taking a train, you know, for sentimental reasons,” Clarissa laughed. “This way, we wont have to miss as much school.”

“That’s fantastic, call me when you get there so we can be together, ok?”

“Of course, have a safe trip,” Clarissa said and hung up.

“So we are going to have some company after all,” Greta smiled.

“I am happy Clarissa and Robyn will be there,” Valia said.

The conversation reminded her to call Abigail. She didn’t need the train ticket after all since she was driving back down to school with Mya.

Greta cleaned up after herself. “Hey, this is the first time you have ever seen me wash dishes,” she laughed. “I need a maid,” she said, drying her hands and hanging up the towel. “Do you vant to play maid?” she asked in a deep voice.

“I am willing to learn,” Valia replied.

“Perhaps later.” “I think today is a good day for us to get some culture, so how about a visit to our famous Museums today?”

“That sounds perfect.”

Once again Valia showered with Greta in ecstasy before getting dressed and going through the all too familiar, and now somewhat painful routine of kissing Valia goodbye and removing her to her pouch. Greta had found herself not wanting to separate with the pouch at all. Keeping Valia in her purse seemed too far away now. No, now she had to have here where she could feel her. Once again she used the passport carrier slid high up on to her thigh, out of sight even in her shorts.

“You keep getting closer and closer to my Puffy puffy woof woof,” she giggled.

Valia laughed.

Greta made sure the place was locked up and headed out the door. She needed gas, so she made that the first stop. “This stuff is why our world is moving backwards it seems, and why it’s dying,” she said. “Fossil fuels.”

Things must change, and very soon, Valia replied.

When she returned to the car, her phone rang. “How are you feeling this morning?” Rose asked when she answered.

“Absolutely fabulous,” Greta beamed. “As a matter of fact I am going to a few museums today,” she continued. She noticed that when the caller i.d. said it was Rose calling, for some reason she felt as though her stomach was being tied in knots.

“I just wanted to apologize for my bonehead Republican mother calling your’s this morning.” Rose said. “She told me she asked her to give you the message to stay away from me.”

“Well, that’s not exactly how I heard it,” Greta replied. “So, what time is the train?”

“You know it leaves at four,” Rose said. “I can tell you’re pissed.”

“Pissed?” Greta asked. “Always, your mom is a dick.”

“On that note, let me wish you a safe journey,” Rose replied. “Call me ok?”

“Texting might be easier with you in class ALL THE TIME,” Greta shouted.

Rose laughed and hung up.

“That damn mother of hers, it is not going to be easy for me to break up with Rose when that day comes,” Greta said. “She simply cannot detach from her mother, and I want nothing to do with her.”

“Your happiness is most important,” Valia replied.

Greta turned onto Lake Shore Drive and headed towards the Museum Campus. She turned up the Neko Case song playing and sang along, “The most tender place in my heart is for strangers, I know it’s unkind but my own blood is much too dangerous, Hangin’ round the ceiling half the time, Hangin’ round the ceiling half the time.” Valia my dear, you will hear a lot of music by this artist on our trip east,” Greta giggled.

It was another beautiful summer day. Greta decided to park in an underground garage a few blocks from the Museum. “I am going to wear you for this tour,” Greta giggled. “Well at least I’ll start out wearing you.” “That sounds so funny when I say it, wear you,” she laughed. Once again she placed Valia around her neck. Valia was facing her, arm on the back of the bench seat with her head leaning against her hand smiling at Greta.

“Hello gorgeous,” Greta said. “Come on, let me show you off, even though no one will be able to see either of us.”

They made their way out of the garage up to the ground level. “First a stroll through our Millennium Park,” Greta said. “It is nothing super special really, but it’s on the way.” The air smelled marvelous as they passed a large garden on the way. “Oh wow, look at all the plants,” Greta said. “Valia, how do I say hello to them?”

“Just direct your thoughts at them.”

Hello, Greta thought.

No reply.

Good afternoon gorgeous plant sisters, she tried again.

Good afternoon sisters, came the reply from hundreds of different sounding plants all at once. It was more than Greta could bear at one time. She fell to the ground covering her ears with a reflex action to shield her from the overwhelming experience, which was pointless since she was only hearing it in her head.

Valia helped her back to her feet.

“I have never heard anything quite like that,” Greta said. “You simply have to teach me how to control that I can tell you,” she laughed.

“I should have told you, but it is a harmless cautionary lesson for when you are wearing me,” Valia replied. “You must understand that you are not invulnerable when with me.”

“Ok, I’m not Supergirl, got it.”

As they continued moving through the park, Greta marveled at the beauty of the place. “You know, sometimes it takes having a visitor to discover the very place you live in,” she said. They approached perhaps the one thing the park is most famous for, the seamless giant mirror finish sculpture inspired by a drop of mercury. As they got closer, Greta looked at it in astonishment. “Honey I can see us in it,” she said.

“Yes, only we can see us.”

“We look pretty awesome together, and look how we stand out from the crowd, superstars obviously,” Greta laughed. They passed under its twelve-foot arch looking up at their reflections as they did. “You know, I would so adore making love to you under this,” she said. “It would be like having a mirrored ceiling.”

“Visual stimulus is desirable in lovemaking,” Valia smiled.

They strolled across the BP Bridge, a long winding bridge walkway over the busy traffic drive below. It was such a gorgeous day; Greta decided to pass on the Art Institute. Instead they kept stolling through the large downtown park, heading towards the two museums Greta thought Valia would find more interesting, being from another world. They walked and walked, pausing a few times for Greta to get practice communicating with the flowers that were growing everywhere in the park. “Practice makes perfect,” Greta laughed.

A few short blocks away from the Field Museum campus, they came upon an exhibit of large globes created by hundreds of artists to bring attention to Global Warming. “You see my dear, we want to make a difference, but how? One after another, the commissioned works suggested ways to prevent further damage to the planet, as well as suggestions for healing it.

“I cannot see into the future,” Valia said, “but I am certain you must implement change immediately to insure your survival.”

“Valia, if I were to die, right now, would I be with you, I mean, would I still be able to see you and feel you?” Greta asked.

“No.”

When they finally reached the Field Museum they strolled past the ticket takers undetected. It was pretty crowded, so they had to do a little maneuvering to avoid bumping into tourists or having their children running around bump into them. Valia seemed to be most interested in the children all around the museum, as they moved from era to era in man’s history. “They are your future,” she said pointing at a group of children playing, “but you must want it badly enough.”

Upon arriving at the ancient Egyptian part of the museum, the crowds were very thick, so they chose to bypass it to avoid detection. “Let’s get some fresh air,” Greta said, so Valia followed her out the doors and back into the open air. “You know, being in a place such as this, seeing how far we’ve come as a species, and how short a distance we may have left, I can’t help but wonder why everyone on this planet with half an ounce of brains isn’t screaming for any changes necessary to heal it.” Greta said.

“The future is unwritten, everywhere.”

“Tell me honey,” Greta said pulling Valia down on to a park bench beside her, “can you communicate with fish too?”

“Yes.”

“Oh well, it’s time for underwater Heartbreak Hotel I guess,” as she stood up pulling Valia with her. “We didn’t make it back to the zoo, so I guess I’ll give you the next best thing.” They turned up the walkway leading to the Aquarium. “I have to take a pee anyway,” Greta laughed.

Once inside, Greta immediately headed to the ladies room to relieve herself. When she came out of the stall Valia was staring at herself in a mirror. “I promise I will not shower you with all the bad news,” she said glancing at Greta in the mirror. She turned and led the way out of the bathroom and into the museum. She seemed fascinated by what she was seeing. Greta certainly knew that each time she had visited this museum she was blown away by something.

As promised, Valia did not break the bad news she must have been hearing from the life in the tanks. It was not until she got to a display of tiny beautifully colored fish from Coral Reefs, did she finally speak. “They tell me that the oceans are so polluted, they would rather be here.”

“Then we had better avoid the whales,” Greta giggled.

“Oh, they hate it here, and are convinced that long after humanity is gone, they will still be roaming free.”

“I can’t believe how fast this day went by, come on darling, they are going to be closing soon,” Greta said. They left the museum and once again stepped out into the fresh summer air. “Whenever I leave a museum I am so happy to be outside.” “I am getting hungry, what would you like for dinner?” Greta giggled.

“Pizza,” Valia replied with a laugh.

“Oh, my feet are aching, and such a long walk back to the car,” Greta moaned. “We’d better get started.”

“Greta, come here and wrap your arms around me tightly,” Valia said.

“Sure honey, but we could find a place a little less crowded with no problem.”

“Now I want you to close your eyes and visualize your car where it is parked,” Valia said once they had their arms wrapped around each other.

Greta did as she asked. Her body tingled all over, while feeling a wash of hot air encompass her.

“Now open your eyes,” Valia said.

When she did, they were both standing next to Greta’s car. “Now that I would love to learn,” Greta shrieked. “Can we get to New York that way?”

“It is MIRAK, and only safe for you for a short distance for now,” Valia replied.

“Come on,” Greta said, “let’s get out of this garage, it smells like peepee.”

“Peepee?” Valia asked.

“Yep,” Greta laughed before removing Valia and returning her to the comfortable pouch between her thighs.

Once out of the garage, Greta ordered a pizza over the phone to be delivered at her place in an hour. “You simply must sample one of our deep dish pizzas,” Greta laughed.

When she arrived back at home, Greta had six messages on her answering machine from friends who did not have her cel phone number, all heading to the protest in D.C. The pizza arrived shortly after she did. She returned Valia around her neck until she finished eating then thought it best to tuck her away for the evening, since she did not know when her mother would return.

“I plan on leaving bright and early in the morning,” she said before starting to pack all that she would need for a weeklong trip. “I bet you’re glad you don’t have to pack.”

“Actually, I am not.”

“Sorry, I keep forgetting, you seem so alive when I am wearing you.”

Greta set an alarm and stretched out on the couch with the television on. She was sleeping when her mother came home. Marlene turned off the television and the light before retiring to her room.

Chapter 10

Mile Marker 266

In the morning Greta woke to the sound of the television at nine a.m. She had missed the five a.m. alarm she set in her bedroom. “Oh well, so much for an early start,” she moaned softly. Marlene was already at work. There was a note under the television remote asking her to be careful and keep her posted as to her whereabouts. “Ok mommy,” she smiled. She went into the kitchen and put on a small pot of coffee.

“I had hoped to be on the road for hours by now,” Greta said.

“You needed the rest before a long journey,” Valia replied.

Greta went to her mother’s computer and printed driving directions from Chicago to New York, From New York to D.C., and from D.C. to Carbondale. She then printed out the tour dates and locations for Sissy and her band. “I simply can’t start my day without a shower, are you up for one?” Greta asked.

“Always.”

Following what had become the routine of a passionate morning shower, Greta had a first cup of coffee with Valia watching the news and weather. She traveled to different points of the house, then back to her bags gathering last minute items she might need for the trip. She ate a bowl of Cheerios and finished a second cup of coffee.

“Valia, have I told you I love you yet today?” Greta asked.

“Everything you do tells me that?”

“I think I have everything I need, that is until I am 300 miles away and think of what I forgot to pack,” Greta laughed. She checked to insure the doors and windows were locked, picked up her bags and slowly moved out the back door to the garage. “I always bring too much shit,” she laughed.

Once she was on the road, she called Abigail to make sure she made it back to school in time for class. She did. She then stopped to fill up her tank before hitting the interstate. Greta then took out a roll of tape and taped the driving instructions to the dashboard. “Valia darling, I am making you my navigator,” Greta said. “If you can get here from another world in the cosmos, you can certainly tell me what to do once I hit I-90,” she laughed.

My pleasure.

The traffic was so heavy it took nearly an hour to get to I-90. Greta reached into the glove compartment for a new c.d. to play. “You know, it doesn’t feel like a Monday to me, how about you?’

Feel like a Monday? Valia asked.

“It is the feeling of pain and despair at having to start the working week again after having two days of the weekend to yourself,” Greta said. “That is if you’re lucky and don’t have to work on weekends.”

On my world it is called Musti, Valia replied.

“Sounds like it begins with an M so that’s close enough for me.”

Greta had never driven east before. With her tunes playing which always seemed to set a positive mood, she and Valia took in the passing sights both as strangers and tourists. It was refreshing for Greta to hear Valia laugh. “You see the strangest things traveling on an Interstate sometimes,” Greta laughed. “How do you travel on your world?”

Most of our transportation methods are bio-solar and fly, Valia replied.

“I just can’t imagine human drivers flying through the air, crashing into office buildings and each other,” Greta laughed.

At one point in time, piloting a vehicle such as this would have seemed difficult or impossible, Valia replied. Your’s is a species with so much potential, but it is currently locked in an extremely self-destructive time of greed.

As they crossed the border into Ohio, a song by Sissy came on. “What do you think of this song?” Greta asked. “It is one of Sissy’s.”

Valia listened for a bit and answered, It is primal and seductive.

“Oh I am going to have to remember that,” Greta laughed. “I wish there was some way my friends could meet you.”

There is, but it would not be advisable.

Greta took a short detour off the Interstate stopping in Toledo. “There has got to be a Starbucks here,” she giggled. After asking directions from a few drivers at stoplights, she finally found one in a tiny strip mall. “If I had to travel this far every time I wanted a latte, I probably would.” She ordered two of them as usual, extra shots and extra hot. Driving back to the Interstate she stopped to fill the tank and in no time she was heading east again.

“Valia, what is the closest drink you have to this on your world, you know something with a kick?”

That would be Machti, it most definitely has a kick as you put it, Valia replied.

It was nearly five p.m. when they started nearing the Ohio-Pennsylvania border so Greta chose to stop in Youngstown to grab a bite to eat. “Valia, what I am about to eat may gross you out, but it is usually safe to eat at fast food chains when traveling,” Greta laughed. “At least they are consistent.” She pulled into the golden arches, ordered a Big Mac, fries and a coke, and ate in the car.

“Do you have anything like this on your world?” Greta asked.

Most of the vehicles on my world can create a meal for you, so there is no real need for fast food chains as you put it.

When she finished eating, she went inside to use the bathroom before she once again was on the Interstate heading east. “Set a course for New York,” Greta laughed trying to give her best imitation of Captain Picard on Star Trek.

Just keep driving on this road until you have to pee, or eat again, Valia laughed.

“Make it so,” Greta replied before turning up the music.

They drove for hours laughing, singing and enjoying the ride. “Sunsets are so romantic, don’t you think?” Greta asked as the sun began to set behind them.

They are considered such on our world as well.

Greta pulled over on the shoulder. She reached between her thighs and touched Valia with her hand. “I just wanted to see your face in this light,” she said before kissing her deeply. As quickly as she appeared, her image vanished as Greta released her and pulled back on to the highway.

It was shortly after eleven when she pulled off the highway to find a bathroom and some water. “How could I have forgotten to bring water?” she asked.

She stopped at a rather quiet looking snack and gasoline stop, asked to use the bathroom which required a key, purchased three liter bottles of water, and returned to the car. She took her time opening a bottle and took a long sip. As she was screwing the cap back on, a car pulled into the lot with its lights out. Greta watched as two men in their twenties got out of the car and walked into the store. Just as they entered, Greta started her car, turned on the headlights which lit up the two entering the store, and pulled away heading back towards the Interstate.

“That bitch got a good look at us,” the short stocky guy said to the other quietly. They quickly went through the motions of robbing the store at gunpoint, shooting the store attendant when he tried to pull a gun as they turned to run out. Once in their vehicle, they peeled out of the lot and sped off in the direction Greta was driving.

“Did you have to shoot the fucker in the chest?” the tall guy asked.

“We need to find the bitch that saw us,” the short one said as he reached in the back seat for a blue baseball style cap. “I am guessing she is heading east from the looks of that car she is driving. I can’t risk having her identify us, that would make me a three time loser.”

“Honey, I think I am going to find a place to call it a night shortly,” Greta said. “My ass is sore, my eyes are burning, I’m getting highway hypnosis from the lines,” she started laughing. “The rare vehicle coming towards me or going my way is blinding me with their lights, and I am horny.”

You don’t have to try and convince me, use your best judgment and find a place to rest. Valia giggled.

Greta thought nothing of the lights in her rear view mirror. She reached for her bottle of water, opened it and took another gulp. Screwing the cap back on she noticed that the pair of headlights that moments ago seemed distant, were very close. “This guy sure is in a hurry,” she said as the car slowed to remain behind them. “Maybe it’s a cop,” Greta said. “I had better be Little Miss Perfect Driver,” taking note that she had just passed mile marker 265.

As the car got into the left lane and started to pass them, Greta noticed that it was the Mustang she had seen in the snack stop parking lot. When they pulled alongside, Greta saw that the guy sitting in the passenger seat staring at her was wearing a blue baseball cap. “What is it about fucking guys in baseball caps that always try to ruin my day?” she asked.

Valia sensed the bullet before it ignited and left the chamber. Greta was pinned to the front seat as the Pontiac took off as if propelled by a rocket. They were moving so fast, Greta could only see a wobbling pair of lights in her side mirror disappear behind them. What she did not see, was that the moment the bullet left the chamber of the pistol, the two guys in the car exploded into microscopic fragments of organic mush, their stolen car eventually rolling to a gentle stop between both sides of the Interstate.

Valia brought the car back to the speed Greta had been driving at before they took off. Shaking, she grabbed hold of the wheel. “What the fuck just happened?” she screamed.

It was their intent to terminate you. Valia replied. You have nothing to fear, they cannot harm anyone now.

“How can you be so sure, and how were we able to move so fast?” Greta asked.

I terminated them, Valia replied. As for the speed at which we were able to move, your Pontiac is covered in organic particles from my ship. I simply gave the command for us to accelerate.

“The metallic mist?” she marveled. “Could I learn how to do that?”

It would not be wise, Valia giggled.

“You said they have been terminated?” Greta asked.

They no longer exist.

Greta drove for roughly twenty minutes quietly thinking about what had just happened, knowing that Valia could hear every thought.

On my world, life is considered sacred until is seeks to destroy life, Valia said.

“Yes,” Greta said seeing a sign for a Super 8. “Well honey, it looks like we will be spending the night in Mount Pocono, PA,” Greta continued, sounding relieved.

Greta checked in, grabbed her bags and settled into Room number Six. “I need a hot soak,” she groaned. Waiting for her tub to fill, she turned on the television and moved through the channels. “Hey, we can watch an erotic movie if you like,” she giggled, before returning to the tub and pouring some shampoo into it to create bubbles. She double locked the door, undressed, placed Valia around her neck and settled into a long hot soak with Valia joining her.

“Valia, how come the water did not rise when you got in?” Greta asked.

“I’m on a diet?”

Greta laughed, kissed her deeply and thanked her for saving her life. “You know, you are becoming more human every day.”

“And you less.”

Chapter 11

Peekaboo

Greta answered the wakeup call she left for ten a.m. She marveled at how smooth she felt all over. Noticing her legs needed shaving in the tub, Valia offered to massage the hair away permanently. Greta agreed. She giggled at the thought.

She called her mother to let her know she was o.k. “Hello mommy, I just wanted to let you know I am in Mount Pocono PA, alive and kicking.”

Valia was sitting in a chair watching her. “Thanks for the cosmic hair removal,” she giggled, “my legs feel so smooth. Tell me, does this bother you?” she asked tugging on her pubic hair.

“We evolved past body hair long ago,” Valia smiled. “If it is a part of you, I love it.”

“I’ve been thinking, it would be good to go to Philadelphia today,” Greta said. “It is the founding city of sorts for this country, only a two hour drive, whattaya say?”

Valia answered, “No,” just to see Greta’s reaction.

“No, ok where would you like to go then?”

Valia just laughed. “Of course we can go to Philadelphia.”

Greta turned on the television set and told Valia to tune it to any station she desired. She had found out that Valia did not need a remote to change the channels. “I could use some breakfast,” Greta said. She walked to the window and pulled the drape aside. “Why is it that Motel parking lots never look the same in the morning as they did arriving in the middle of the night?” she asked.

She walked across the room and knelt in front of Valia between her legs. “When you appear to be wearing clothes, do you simply will it?” she asked.

“In this form, yes.”

Greta rested her head on Valia’s thigh looking at her beautiful body. “Did last night really happen?” she asked.

“Yes, it is unfortunate, but yes.”

“Come on, time to get ready to go, baby is hungry,” Greta beamed. She took Valia by the hand into the bathroom. “Can you massage this away permanently,” she asked pulling at her pubic hair.

“Yes.”

She adjusted the water temperature and Valia joined her in the shower. “Remove it please,” Greta asked placing Valia’s hand between her legs. “I never want it to grow back again as a life long reminder of you.”

Valia gently spread her legs, got on her knees before she softly and carefully massaged away the only hair left on her body from the neck down. She then pulled Greta down into the tub with her and once again brought her to an orgasm that had her ejaculating wildly. When she stopped shaking from the waves of wild sensation washing over her entire body, she felt herself between her legs and smiled. “I never want you to leave me,” she said.

The weather forecast called for temperatures to be near ninety. That meant the top down, and lots of water. Greta quickly packed, leaving her shaver and blades behind on the bathroom sink. She removed Valia and tucked her away between her thighs once again then walked over to the office to settle her bill before leaving.

In a few minutes she was lowering the top on the car after placing all of her bags in the trunk. “I’ve been told they have all of the usual fast food to eat her,” Greta said. She happened upon the Sunrise Café and decided to have a real breakfast. The diner was not very crowded. She sat at the counter and ordered some pancakes. It was too late for the breakfast crowd, and too early for the lunch crowd. She picked up a copy of the Pocono Record and leafed through it. On page three she saw a small article about a Mustang found on the Interstate with a gun in it that investigators say was used in the murder of the attendant at the place she stopped at for water the night before. It certainly did happen, she thought.

She finished her breakfast and asked if there was a Starbucks anywhere near. There was, it turned out, one in the lobby of a hotel just before the Interstate. She stopped there and ordered the usual. In the lot she pulled out her atlas and tore out the page that would show the route from Mount Pocono to Philadelphia and taped it to the dash. “If you don’t mind my dear, I will never be able to drive and figure it out,” she laughed.

My pleasure, Valia giggled.

Greta cruised at a leisurely pace following Valia’s directions. This was a day to just kick back and enjoy as far as she was concerned. She popped in another c.d., this one loaded with numerous tunes by Neko Case. “I don’t know what it is about being out in the country that makes me want to listen to an artist that sounds like a cross between Patsy Kline and Twin Peaks, but I shore do.” Greta laughed. “I’m really hating not being able to see you today.”

You must take US 22 West, Valia said.

Through about a half dozen road changes and summer construction detours, after a few hours they were finally at the outskirts of Philadelphia. Valia directed her flawlessly to the Best Western in the heart of the Museum District. She checked in, grabbed her bags, went to the room and unpacked. She turned the air conditioner on low, made sure the place met with her approval, and hopped on the bed. She pulled Valia out and placed her around her neck. “You are one hell of a navigator,” she smiled.

And you, a pilot, she replied.

Greta took the remote and turned on the television. “I always get a kick out of television in places I have never visited before.” She allowed Valia to flip to the channels. She always seemed to pause at the news channels.

“Well, this is one hell of an historical place,” Greta said. “What would you like to do today?”

“Learn.”

“Learn what my dear,” Greta asked.

“Learn,” Valia replied.

“Then learn it is,” Greta said, jumping up and heading to the bathroom. She turned on the light, dropped her shorts to her ankles and stared at herself in the mirror. “I look like a little girl, a sexy little, girl,” she said, “or a very sexy adult alien female.” She sat on the toilet, had a tinkle, and returned to the bed where Valia was.

“We might have to get moving if we hope to learn, that is before certain places close,” Greta smiled. “There’s a whole lotta history here, especially when it comes to those Founding Daddy’s.”

“Your beauty is astounding,” Valia replied. “You are quite unlike any other members of your species I have met.”

“I know I am irresistible, but we do want to learn,” Greta giggled. “Necklace off for starters that is until we know where we are going. It’s hard to ask directions when the person you’re asking cannot see you,” she laughed.

Greta grabbed her purse, dropped the keys to the room inside, and headed to the hotel lobby. She received a pre-printed direction sheet that explained how to get to most of the historical sites. She was just about out the front door when she heard someone call her name.

“Greta, is that you?” Jamina shouted.

“Hey, wow, what are you doing here?”

“I flew in to be with a dear friend for a few days,” she replied. “She had surgery this morning at the same place I had my mine.” “Let me guess, you are making your way to D.C.?”

“I am heading over to the zoo,” Greta replied. “I promised Va, I mean I always like to visit a new zoo.”

“Lot’s to learn in a zoo.”

“I’m in room 212, and should be here a few more days,” Jamina said. “Ring me up if you need company.”

“Whatcha doing for dinner?” Greta asked. “Call me.”

“Ok, I will.”

Greta pulled out of the hotel parking lot and followed Valia’s directions to the zoo. “Sweet dreams are made of,” her phone rang. It was Rose. “Hello, zoo office, Natasha speaking, can I help you?” she answered.

“Hey, I have not been able to reach you for half a day,” Rose said. “Everything ok?”

“Just great, I’m in Philadelphia having an affair with Jamina.”

“Philadelphia huh, did you have your phone turned off?”

“Nope, but yesterday we, I mean I was in the Pokonos and may not have been able to get reception.

“If you can get access to the internet, you should read the Daily Egyptian today,” Rose continued.

“Can’t you just tell me why I should read the school newspaper today,” Greta said.

“Well, there is a little blip about parts of Giant City that have been closed off to access, official looking crews in and out all weekend, the usual rumors that it was a demolished spacecraft, and that the little green men inside may still be lurking in the forest giving anal probes to deer,” Rose replied.

“Too bad they were not little green women, I might have hung around for a while after that light show,” Greta giggled.

Valia snickered when she heard that.

“That’s not all,” Rose continued. “I saw those two F.B.I. agents in Quatro’s pizza making out like two lovebirds while waiting for their pizza.”

“See, I told you they had a thing for each other,” Greta laughed. “Why are you so freaked out, don’t tell me you are not freaked out, because you are?”

“I’m not sure, but what I do know is that you cannot ever take anything serious,” Rose replied before hanging up her phone.

“You know, I am starting to think that I may not have that hard a time ending this relationship after all,” Greta sighed.

She pulled into the zoo parking lot and parked away from the more crowded sections where most people parked to be closer to wherever they were going. “If you have not noticed, most Americans are overweight,” she said. “People would rather waste gas fighting for a closer spot than walking an extra hundred steps.”

When she was sure no one was watching, Greta placed Valia around her neck. She only had to climb out of the car with the top down, so she was on her way without being detected.

“Honey,” she asked walking next to Valia, “it appears they are still looking for you, or your ship remnants, or anything they can find that might help explain to them what occurred out there that night.”

“They will not find any clear evidence”, Valia replied.

“My species is so hungry, no, more like starved, to be able to prove intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe,” Greta said. “I am sure my favorite spot to stargaze will not be available for a while.”

“Well, we only have a couple of hours, what would you like to see first,” Greta asked, “mammals, amphibians, reptiles or birds?”

Valia looked at her and giggled. “I find it all fascinating,” she replied, “you decide.”

Greta stopped at a large zoo map at the entrance and decided to head towards Bear Country and the birds. “I love birds,” she said, “I have always wished that I could fly.”

Once again Greta noticed Valia was attracted to passing children. At times, it seemed as though some would gaze directly at her and smile in silence.

When they arrived at the Polar Bears, Greta looked disturbed. “I know these big beauties are in trouble,” she said.

The bears seemed to follow Valia as she moved past the habitat. At one point, a very large bear stood up on its hind legs and, staring directly at Valia, started clapping with its huge clawed paws.

“Well she looks like she’s heard some good news.” Greta said.

Valia turned to Greta and smiled. “She has,” she replied.

“And what might that news be, is she pregnant or something?” Greta asked.

“You are the good news,” Valia replied.

“Are you sure you’re not just happy because it is mating season for you?” Greta said trying to focus her thoughts towards the bear.

“THAT TOO,” came an answer that sounded like two loud deep groans rumbling inside her head.

She let out a loud laugh getting a few strange looks in her direction from two couples standing nearby. “Shhhhh,” she said quietly to Valia as she pulled her toward the bird habitat still laughing.

“You know, it’s kind of like being in a cartoon communicating for the first time with all the life around us that we so take for granted,” Greta said. “Can you fly?”

“No,” Valia replied. “But like yourself, I have always wished I could fly.”

The gazelles thought Greta had an awkward grace. The bald eagle told her that he was living proof that something can be saved if you want it badly enough. The vultures thought that she had deliciously bony knees. One male hawk wanted to fly away with her. She also found out that Valia knew about the investigation teams back at Giant City where her craft crashed, because birds told her so.

Greta thought that since this visit to a zoo with Valia learning how to actually communicate with the species they passed made her feel like a giddy schoolgirl, why not pay a visit to the Children’s Zoo right next door.

Valia had a smile on her face, but stopped Greta before entering. “We must be careful in here,” she said. “Some of the very young children might be able to see us.”

“Really, why is that?”

“On my world it is called wrupo,” Valia replied. “The life force is constantly evolving from generation to generation, but evolution at times passes a cusp whereby, for unexplainable reasons, a species is catapulted forward in its evolution. Many of your newborn species have done just that, hence the ability to see us.”

“Does that mean that when they grow up they will be able to talk to polar bears and plants?” Greta laughed.

“No,” Valia giggled, “but it does mean that life for your species is at the threshold of a newfound brilliance, imaginativeness, and creative spirit. It is unfortunate that it comes at a time when you may all be fighting for your very survival.”

“Come on, let’s go get stared at.” Greta chuckled.

To Greta at first it seemed much like any other Children’s Zoo she was ever in, with hosts of children seeming fascinated watching chicks hatching from eggs, some feeding sheep, or goats or ducks. At times it seemed as though the young baby here and there would be watching them pass. She noticed one that was ‘beyond cute’ as she put it. The baby kept turning to look at her and Valia rather than at the ducks her mother kept trying to get her to look at. She stood a few feet in front of her playing peekaboo. The child could obviously see her as she reacted each time Greta would remove her hands from over her face and think the words “Peekaboo.” The baby’s mother glanced over to see what was exciting her, but of course could see nothing but a few small children playing too far away to be the reason. As the mothers attention turned back to children feeding the ducks, Greta began dancing for the baby, singing in thought, Golly jeepers, Where’d you get those peepers, Peepshow, Creepshow, Where did you get those eyes, Oooh peekaboo, Oooh peekaboo, Oooh peekaboo, Where did you get those eyes? This got the baby giggling and laughing, totally freaking her mother out as she turned the stroller and walked away so quickly she almost ran into her.

“You will make a good mother one day,” Valia laughed.

“Yes, but I could only have girls,” she replied.

Walking past a feature called Backyard Bugs, Greta noticed a young boy about three to four years of age. He had dreamy looking eyes wearing a smile as he watched them approach. “Are you angels?” he asked as they passed by. Greta simply smiled and kept walking. “You will make a good mother one day,” he said.

“Billy, who are you talking to?” the boy’s mother asked.

“Them,” he answered pointing at Greta, but the mother saw no one.

The time flew while in the Children’s Zoo. Greta thought it best to leave, since they would be closing soon and she wanted to avoid the crunch of strollers going through the gates to their parked cars and mini vans.

On the way back to the car, Valia sang a version of Peekaboo from her own world.

“Well, no offense, but I like Siouxsie’s version better,” she said with an impish grin on her face.

After slipping back into her car, she thanked Valia for the learning, kissed her softly, and back between her thighs she went. Greta sat up in the seat now visible and started her car. Passing by in a Volvo was Billy smiling and waving at Greta.

“What are you waving at?” his mother asked.

“An angel,” Billy replied as his mother smiled and drove off.

“Hey angel, let’s go see what’s for dinner, I am getting kinda hungry,” Greta giggled.

Pizza? Valia laughed.

“Nope, today I don’t think so,” Greta laughed as they drove out of the parking lot.

A few blocks from the hotel they saw Jamina walking back from the hospital her friend was at. As Greta honked the horn Valia let go with a wolf whistle, “Hey baby, need a ride?”

“I don’t get many wolf whistles, that one was perfect,” Jamina said. “Hungry, it’s my treat?”

“No pizza please,” Greta offered. Jamina knew of her fondness for pizza.

“There is a fab cafeteria style deli close to here with everything from sandwiches to a full meal.” Jamina offered.

“Then the deli it is my dear, hop in.”

“How far is the hospital?” Greta asked looking over the restaurant menu.

“It is only about six blocks from here,” Jamina replied. “They gave me first rate treatment.”

Greta started humming Peekaboo by Siouxsie and the Banshees to herself quietly while continuing to look at the menu.

“I love that song,” Jamina said.

“Yeah, I’ve had it on my mind all afternoon,” Greta replied. “Usually it’s a song you get stuck in your head that you want out of there,” she laughed.

“I know what you mean,” Jamina laughed.

“Geepers, Creepers, Where did you get those eyes.” Greta sang.

“So, what did you learn today?” Jamina asked.

“You know, today I learned that children are smarter than ever,” Greta replied. “We, I mean I saw the most gorgeous kids all over the place, but in the Children’s Zoo I saw some that make me believe we are about to enter a new era in our evolution as a species.”

“And what are the facts that have drawn you to this conclusion,” Jamina smiled.

“Oh, an angel told me so,” Greta smiled back and winked.

Jamina just laughed. “You are so easy to love,” she said.

That is so true, Valia agreed.

Greta smiled and went back to looking over the menu quietly singing, “Oooh peekaboo, Oooh peekaboo, Oooh peekaboo, Where did you get those eyes?”

Chapter 12

Дата добавления: 2015-10-29