“Okay.Mom, can you work the other register.I’ll deliver orders to the people in the café.Dad, if you don’t mind, would you clear tables once people leave?”I don’t look for Rygar.I figure he’s lying on the floor somewhere wrestling with electrical wires or a compressor.
Grabbing an apron, I tie it on as I head out to the counter.My parents grab aprons and follow me out.There’s a long line leading almost to the door.It’s not usually this busy on a Sunday afternoon.I’m guessing the stunt I pulled, running out of my wedding, has attracted more than a few of our customers today.
Whatever.Let them talk.For the first time in my life, I don’t care what anyone else thinks.It’s liberating.Happiness bubbles up inside me until the only thing I can do to release it is do a quick spin on my way to the counter.
Mom steps up to the register.I start grabbing the unfilled tickets.I put two trays together and carry them out into the dining area.I glance over and smile.It looks like the bookshop section is doing brisque business today, too.
Guess Nicholas was good for something after all.
The seating area is small with only twenty-five tabletops, a mix of booths and traditional seating.I drop the first order off.I’m on my way to the second table when Dad walks over with towel and spray bottle in his hands.He leans in.“Don’t look when I tell you this, sweetie, but we’ve got some government guys in suits, table near the front window.”
He said not to look but I glance over his shoulder anyway.“Shit.”
They’re dressed just like the guys from last night, the ones who tried to kill us.I don’t recognize their faces, but they have the same style black suits, black sunglasses.Black souls, most likely.They’re here for Rygar.
“You in some trouble?”Dad asks.
I glance at my dad and tell the truth.If anyone can handle it, he can.“They’re here for Rygar.”
Dad stares into my eyes.“He break the law?”One thing my dad will not tolerate is criminal activity.His moral compass is set due North and doesn’t budge.
“No.His ship crashed here.He’s Pleiadean, Dad.We need to get rid of those guys.”I just admitted to my father that I’m married to an alien from another star system.Wonder what Dad will say when Rygar tells them he wants me to go home with him.To another planet.
“I see.”Dad doesn’t even blink.
“That’s it?You believe me?”
My dad snorts.“You see his hair?Those eyes?I’ve met a couple of his kind before.I’m relieved he told you the truth.”
What?“You’ve met aliens?Why didn’t you tell me?”
“You haven’t been listening, Maddie.I’ve been tellingeveryone.Foryears.”
Guess he has a point.He does host the UFO sightseeing tours, after all.Our gazes lock and I feel like an idiot.“I’m sorry.I thought it was all just conspiracy theories.”
“It’s fine.Right now, we need to protect your husband.”He wipes at the table closest to us, stalling for time.“Walk over there and spill your tray in their laps.I’ll go to the kitchen, alert your husband and get him out the back.We’ve got this.”
I wish I was more confident.With my knees nearly knocking together, I head toward theMen In Blacksitting ramrod straight in their patented black suits and white dress shirt.At least they’re not wearing their sunglasses inside.Their dour facial expressions are classic comic book villain, as is one’s severe, blond buzzcut.He makes the diabolical black beard on the other man’s face twice as ominous.
When I’m close enough to touch them, I tip the tray and watch as cake lands on Mr.Buzzcut’s lap.I sway as if I’m trying to help but make sure the cappuccino spills on the table, the liquid flowing over the edge onto black beard.
“What the hell?”
“Oh, my goodness, I’m so sorry.I’m such a klutz sometimes.”I grab a napkin off their table and wipe at the mess.In their laps.
I’m so bad.
The man whose lap I’m practically groping grabs my arm.“That’s enough.Where is he?”
“Where’s who?”
His bearded partner sneers.“Don’t play dumb with us, Miss Hawthorn.We know you’re harboring an alien.Protecting him.”
Fear for Rygar fills me.These are bad, bad men.I know if they get their hands on Rygar, they’ll hurt him.I cannot let that happen.
I give him my most blasé stare.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.I’m so sorry I spilled.”
The guy holding my wrist narrows his brown eyes.“Fine.If you don’t want to tell us, there are other methods.How about we take you and your parents in for questioning?I’m sure a few days in solitary confinement will change your tune.”
