“Ah… I would never dream of doing anything that made you feel uncomfortable, Destiny. Would you like me to leave?” I ask, a little confused.
“No!” She glances behind her, towards the sleeping rooms. “I want you to stay. And I want you to show me a new recipe on the food machine.”
She nods decisively to herself, then looks back up at me in horror.
“Oh god, you aren’t one of those males who thinks cooking is a woman’s job are you?”
I can’t help but laugh at that.
“Is that a human concept? Do human males not eat?”
“Well, yeah, but also… yeah. It’s a very human concept.”
“Well,”I say, teasingly, “It is not a Dhugaren concept. Anyone who wishes to eat must know how to prepare food. I may not cook the bestfurkurraas my sister does, but I know a few recipes I think you’ll like. The Originem made it much easier than it was on Dhugar.”
We walk into the kitchen together and I show her the sequence of buttons to press for one of my favorite Dhugaren breakfast meals. This one takes a bit longer to produce than others, but I won’t admit I chose it to spend just a bit longer with her.
I am thrilled to see that she grabs the pottery I sent her and slides it under the machine.
“I see you like your gift?” I say, desperate to hear her say it.Did I do good?
“You sneaky thing, I wondered if this was you. I love my gift. They are so bright and colorful. Thank you.”
I nod, pleased.
“I am curious, though, how did you write my name on the box? It was such a lovely surprise seeing my name written on the package. It’s been a while, as silly as that sounds.”
“My boss…” I start, then correct myself, “Actually, myfriend, Josep, knows a little more about humans than I do. He was very helpful in marking your package and giving me some advice on human dating rituals.”
“Human dating rituals?”
“Yes, like flowers for example.”
“Ah, ok That makes sense.”
As we wait for dinner to finish, she keeps glancing at the door, the worried line on her brow returning each time.
“Talk to me, my Destiny. What has you so worried?”
“Honestly, Khur, it’s my dad. He doesn’t approve of me mingling with the locals. Hell, I’m starting to realize, I don’t think he wants to be here at all. And on one hand, I feel terribly guilty for dragging him here with me. On the other hand, though, I just wish he’d stop being so bitter and appreciate the gift we’ve been given. Not everyone in this galaxy is so lucky to have a second chance like Sanctuary is for us. I feel like a terrible daughter, though, and–”
“Hey, hey,” I cut in, desperate to comfort her but also stop her line of thinking, “You are terrible at nothing. I think you might be the most wonderful person I’ve ever met.”
“Pshh, you’re just trying to flatter me.”
“I’m not. And I wasn’t finished,” I say sternly, “I think you’re wonderful. And so does Furga, and Urzu and Gunvall. This station is a gift to all of us, a second chance we all cherish greatly. No one was dragged here. If your father does not wish to be here, perhaps he should go somewhere else and give his spot to someone who would also cherish it.”
“But he’s my dad, Khur. He’s the last family member I have.”
I nod, considering her words. I am lucky to have Urzu and the children. So many citizens here have lost their entire families and come to Sanctuary all alone, chasing hope across the galaxy, dreaming of creating something new. Perhaps I had not fully appreciated how difficult that could be.
“What happened to your mother? Do human mothers usually cohabitate with their families?”
Destiny puts her hands on the counter behind her and raises herself up to sit on it, bringing her closer to eye-level. She swings her legs in an adorable fashion and I move closer to her, drawn like the magnets we are.
“Generally, yes. My mother left though, about six years ago, when we still lived on Earth. My parents didn’t really get along. They were both too young when they got pregnant with me and getting married was an act of duty more than love. I think my grandparents kind of forced their hands. They were pretty religious.” She shrugs. “I don’t think she ever loved him, though. I’m really not sure she ever loved me all that much, either. I don’t think she wanted to be a mother, really.”
“Destiny, I’m so sorry to hear this. It must have been really hard for you.”
