“You’ll figure it out,” the bartender said and left to check on his other customers.
All of this roamed unchecked through Aaron’s head over and over until he finally picked up the phone and texted his daughters, asking for a conference call that evening. It sounded so clinical. But trying to keep his own emotions under control right now would help them all.
* * *
Fate met Gaia at her Boston location. Gaia had the entire top floor of a tall building on State Street, which was enclosed by a great glass bubble, making the space invisible to humans. She gazed out over the setting sun, which bathed the city in her orange and yellow hues.
Fate scanned the questions before handing them to her sister.Oh boy, this is going to be a challenge.Still, it was the only idea she had at the moment.
“What’s this?” Gaia asked. She snapped her fingers, and suddenly it was daylight again inside the bubble.
“I’d love your input, considering you’re the one who will be choosing your mate. I usually do the choosing for others, but you’re different. I need to know exactly what you’re looking for, and answering these questions will help me find someone who’s looking for the same things.”
“Different? Well, you’re not wrong, Sister. I appreciate your consulting me first. Yes, I will fill out your questionnaire.”
Out of thin air, Gaia produced a stick of charcoal and quickly filled in all the spaces. She handed it back to Fate, who snatched it and said, “Thanks, darling. Toodles,” then disappeared quickly.
Fate hung out in the ether, reading the answers to Gaia’s questionnaire before she shared it with the other goddesses.
“Oh boy. Big mistake.”
Reading the scribble to herself, she groaned aloud several times.
Name:Gaia.
Age: My exact millennia don’t matter. Age is just a very long number.
Location:Wherever I want to be at the moment. Most of the time in Boston, where I can observe my seasons and some of my least stupid people.
Relationship status:Single. Never married. It’s complicated.
Kids:Billions.
Want kids?Gods, no! I’m not crazy about the ones I have.
Body type:Whatever I want it to be.
Ethnicity: Same answer.
Height:Depends on my mood. I can tower over anyone if I want to.
Religion:Me.
Politics:Ugh. I would never participate in that travesty.
Are you a smoker?Only with the occasional volcanic eruption.
Do you drink?Not until recently. I think I will take it up as a regular hobby.
Do you have pets?Only the entire animal kingdom.
Education:Live and learn.
Employment:Ruler of all.
Income?None. And I get no thanks either!
Fate sighed deeply. “I guess it’s back to the drawing board.”
