Return Trip - Part Two

Tomorrow’s the big day. It’s been a whole year since Gina finally agreed to marry me. A year has gone by since I helped her brother, Tobemo, get back to his own world.

What a crazy day that was. Here was a guy looking for a ride from me and in the beginning, he freaked me out, especially when he started talking outer space and when parts of his body started disappearing right in front of me. Once I got him where he needed to be, to be, I guess, teleported; Tobemo was caught up in a blinding light and the next thing I knew, he was gone. Tobemo vanished and have always assumed he made it back to his world.

What followed that was even more surprising. After I told Gina what happened, then she lowered the boom on me with a story of her own. I had ended up helping her brother. Talk about a double whammy. But you know what? I am more in love with her than I ever was before.

She tried really hard to keep her promise to me, to not read my mind; a talent she acquired once she settled here to live. But in a broad, and I mean in a very broad sense of the word; she’s only human.

It doesn’t matter. Tomorrow, she will be Mrs. Gina Henderson, and … cell phone’s buzzing on the desk.

“Hello.”

“Derrick?”

“Of course, it is. Hi, Gina. What’s up, honey?”

“Derrick, I need to see you right away. It’s important.”

“Something wrong? Gina, you aren’t changing your mind about the wedding, are you?”

“No, silly. It’s nothing like that. Can you get here, say within an hour?”

“Sure. Relax, okay. I’ll be there as quick as I can. Love you! Bye!”

I looked around for my jeans, slipped them on, stashed my phone in my pants pocket, slipped into a pair of loafers and grabbed a shirt off the back of the chair.

Out the door I went, ran to my car, got in and took off like a shot. I didn’t know what was wrong, but Gina was excited about something.

Ever since I quit my job in Manhattan and moved back to Somerville, we’ve been getting along even better than when we started being together. Since I opened my own practice, the days have been long and somewhat boring, what with searching the stacks for case histories, filing writs, and just three days ago, I finished a four-month-old court battle over a child-custody case.

Because of that, it took a lot of my time and Gina and I had been seen seeing less of each other which didn’t make me happy. Right now, it seemed like she had a problem, and her problems were my problems. I would drop anything for her. Call it what you will but I call it love. Unconditional. I just wish I knew what was going on right now. Yeah, I almost wish I could read minds.

__________

“Gina, do you think he will be shocked by my visit?”

“Shocked? Not hardly. I believe surprised or thrilled would be better word choices.”

“I wish I could stay longer.”

“Me, too. But from what you have told me, each visit seems to last a little longer each time you return.”

“True, but I have yet to find the one thing on this planet that can help me sustain permanence.”

“You could if you became like me.”

“Never, Gina! I could never subject myself to live in a female form. It is intolerable and unthinkable. Why are you laughing at me?”

“Because you look so funny when you get agitated.”

“I want no more discussion on this until after Derrick arrives. I will get his perspective on all of this. You know as I, this marriage will be the first the first between our worlds, and we want it to be the best, as well as producing the finest genesis.”

“I know. Derrick and I have discussed having children before and we decided to wait a year after we get married before we begin a family.”

“Wise decision in one respect, but to another; have you told him what will happen after the genesis id born?”

“No. I don’t want him to know for the time being. But I will make him aware of what will happen.”

“Have it your own way. That is one decision I leave to you. Just remember, he has to know before I leave tomorrow night.”

Gina walked to the window, held the curtain back to look out into a muddled blue sky. Holding back tears, she whispered, “I understand. I hope he does as well.”

__________

Since I have a spare key to her apartment, I let myself in and went straight to the living room and saw her standing by the window. Gina turned at the sound of the front door closing behind me.

“Hi, Derrick. Record time. It only took twenty-three minutes this time.”

“For you, I’d break every land speed record set. So tell me, what’s so important that you couldn’t tell me on the phone?”

“I have a surprise for you. One I know you are going to love.”

“Surprise? What surprise?”

“She means me, Derrick.”

I spun around, and didn’t recognize the face, but I knew that voice.

“Tobemo! What? How? When did you get here?” A smile spread on my face and we clasped hands and hugged.

“Derrick,” said Tobemo, “sit with me and I will tell you the story you need to hear.”

We sat in two large chairs facing one another while Gina went to the kitchen to finish preparing dinner, but not before I got a hug and a kiss from her. In case you are wondering; spaghetti and meat balls.

“Derrick, do you remember the words I spoke to you through the scanner after you dropped me off when we first met?”

“I think so. You said something about trusting and believing in people when you don’t understand what’s going on, or something like that.”

“Close. Trusting and believing in a person when you do not know or understand their beliefs takes great courage is what I said. You accepted my sister for what she was and now is. This means you also accept me as I accepted you one year ago.

I put my trust in you and you did not fail me. Although it takes great patience to accept this union between the both of you, I have resigned myself to accepting you, even if you are human. It will make for an interesting marriage. I wish both you and my sister many years of good health and good will.

“Thank you, Tobemo. Somehow I get the feeling there is more.”

“More behind my words other than congratulations?”

I forgot for a second that Tobemo can read minds as well.

“I wish you wouldn’t do that. I’d like to be able to finish what I have to say with any help if you don’t mind.”

“Sorry, Derrick,” smiled Tobemo. “I won’t do it again, that is, unless a policeman is nearby.”

We laughed heartily over that.

“Thanks. But I get the impression you’re here to tell Gina, or us, something. What is it?”

“There isn’t anything for me to tell. I have only two days left before I have to return to the Alpha-Crytonen Dimension, but before I do so, I wanted to witness the event of your union. Is that so terrible a thing for a brother-in-law to want?”

“Of course not. I wasn’t trying to imply anything. I have to admit it is good to see you again. I take it by your leaving soon, you still haven’t found a way to stay permanently.”

“He could if he wanted,” shouted Gina from the kitchen. “But he prefers the male body to that of a female.”

“That, sister, is because where I, where we come from, in case you have forgotten, I am a red gas; and red gas is the gaffer species. I think being on this planet has dulled your intelligence.”

“I take it gaffer means male or masculine.”

“Correct, Derrick. On our world, red denotes male, pink is for female. For the young ones until they become a stronger gas; the male gaffer is blue, and the female known as the Geggi, is yellow. When we become older and thinner in texture, there is no difference as we all become silver.”

“That’s amazing! How do you survive the weather? How do you eat? Sleep?”

“Silly questions, my friend. On my world there is no bad weather. Eating isn’t an issue as gas thrives on air around us, and once it has passed through us, that same air is passed onto another. Sleep isn’t a necessity. We never sleep, have no need for it. Gas is a non-dying continual energetic aeriform. We never tire except in human form. I find here, however, with this human form, Food and sleep is required.

“I have come to believe permanent fusion on earth for the male gaffer is impossible, but we can still continue to travel the barrier in hopes of finding that one certain chemical balance allowing us to maintain this physical form as Gina and many female Geggi have.

“At least we can return to continue the search, and I can visit from time to time. This last trip, I was able to afford ten other gaffers the opportunity to travel with me and help in the hunt for the answer we seek.”

“They aren’t spread out all over the place, are they?”

“No. They are all within the city of Boston getting their first taste of human form. They have been looking at historical sites and learning the culture that encompasses what it means to be human. On our next trip, they will have specific instructions to search for the cure, for lack of a better word.”

“That’s a relief. At least you know where they are, so you won’t have to hunt all over the place for them, when it’s time to leave. You said you leave in two days, right?”

“Yes. After your wedding, I will be leaving, and meeting with everyone at precisely six tomorrow night.”

“I hope it’s a better location than that garbage dumpster.”

“No,” smiled Tobemo. “This time we are to be in a field a mile from here.

“One other thing about my visits, which is good; this is the first time I will be on this world for thirty-two days.”

“Sweet. Generally, what? Thirty is what you said before. Maybe, and I’m no math genius or scientist, but maybe that may be the clue you’re after.”

“How so, Derrick?”

“The more you return, the more adaptable you become. I don’t know. It was just an idea.”

“It is a good one that I will explore in the coming visits. We shall see.”

“You two can talk all night if you want, but I thought I would let you know dinner is on the table.”

Tobemo turned to Gina and said, “Don’t forget to tell him, Gina.”

“I won’t forget. Let’s just eat.”

I noticed the look on Gina’s face. If scowling is a look, Tobemo was scowled at by her.

“Explain what, Gina?”

“I’ll tell you later, Derrick, after Tobemo is gone.”

“That wasn’t the agreement, sister. I must know the outcome before I leave.”

Gina had sizzle in her voice.

“Drop it, Tobemo. I said I will handle it. Let’s just eat, please.”

“Hey, look you two; I feel like I’m being held in the dark on purpose. I wish one of you would just tell me what one of you are talking about, or do that mind-reading, mental transference thing. I am beginning to think maybe I should learn how to read minds.”

“Derrick,” said Gina, “later tonight, I promise I will tell you.”

“Sure, later then. Right now, it’s time for some of your world-famous spaghetti and Ragu sauce.” I smiled, then looked over at Tobemo. “You are hungry, aren’t you?”

“In this body, I have found I am always hungry.”

All three of us laughed and that seemed to break the tension between them. I couldn’t help but wonder what the deal was between them.

__________

After dinner, I helped Gina clean up the dishes and put what food was left in the fridge.

“Gina? Want to take a drive out to South Shore with me?”

“Sounds like a plan, Derrick.”

We left Tobemo to enjoy as he put it, “The earthlings in the tiny little box who run around making fools of themselves.”

Twenty minutes later, the car parked, and we were walking barefoot in the wet sand.

The early evening sky was filling with lazy reds and lavender colors with silver-black clouds closing down the shoreline as Gina and I held hands. Now and then the water would glide easily across the sand and curl around our feet before retracting back to where it came from.

Ten minutes of silence, other than the gentle rushing sounds of water breaking in and out before Gina broke the silence.

“My brother thinks very highly of you, Derrick.”

“I hope so. I’m marrying his sister tomorrow and that’ll make us in-law’s. But you know he’ll have to visit me. It would be a little hard me thinks to drop in one him and say hello.”

“I know. Derrick, his concern for you is because of me—because of us.”

“Just tell me what’s in your head. I can’t read your mind so give me a break and just tell me what’s bugging you.” I kept feeling she was going to put the wedding off or postpone it altogether.

“This has nothing to do with the wedding, so you can quit worrying. It’s something that might affect our marriage later on. That is what I need to explain to you. I should have done this sooner.”

“What could possibly change the future when it hasn’t happened?”

The wind blew off the water and started picking up some added strength. We both felt the spray of the incoming water on our face’s now and then.

“Feels good, doesn’t it, Derrick?”

“Yeah, but near as good as you feel.”

We stopped for a few seconds, long enough for me to pull Gina up against me, and I kissed her hard and deep. I wanted her to know that no matter what she had to tell me, it wasn’t going to change the way I feel about her.

“Maybe not right now,” she said when we broke from our kiss, “but you might change your mind in time. The concern Tobemo and I have is not only for now, but for our future and the future of a family we want to have one day. But even family, has a price to pay.”

I realized this conversation was about to get even more serious.

“Okay, Gina. I promise, no more kidding around. Talk to me and let’s see what we can do to fix the problem. But what price about the family are you meaning?” I squeezed her hand gently and smiled. She half-smiled back.

“Right now, we don’t have a problem, and we won’t after we get married but we might have a serious problem when I get pregnant.”

“How serious are we talking here?”

“When we made plans for the wedding, I got caught up in all the excitement and everything surrounding it, I forgot about our having children.

“My giving birth isn’t hard or life-threatening, so stop worrying. What may prove to be extremely hard are three things. One, because I’m not a naturally born woman of this world, I would have to return to Alpha-Crytonen to have the child delivered. Second, I won’t show as other women do when they carry a child. Lastly, if I give birth to a son, he must stay on our world until he becomes old enough to travel as Tobemo does. For me to bring him back as an infant, he would die. I mean die, as in his gas state he cannot regenerate his body to become human, and he would.

“If the child is female, she can sustain here normally as an infant and grow to be a normal healthy child.

“I wish there were another way for me explain all of this to you, but there isn’t. Can or have you understood any of what I’ve explained?”

“Sort of. I can see problems out of this. My sister, Julie, for one. I spoke with her three days ago and she was excited about coming to the wedding and went on about one day she’ll be an aunt. I don’t know how we can hide any of this from her let alone my parents. We already have you covered, what with you telling Julie back in college how you became an orphan and all that, but covering a pregnancy? One that won’t even happen here? Which brings the next question; how long will you carry before you have to leave to give birth? Full term? A year?”

My eyes had to have fallen out of my sockets because everything went blank on me for a minute.

“It depends. If the baby is a girl, eight hours. A boy, ten hours.”

“Eight to ten hours! My God, Gina, that’s humanly impossible! Ah, sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize. We know I’m not completely human and this confirms it even more.”

I looked at her, and then I looked beyond her where the horizon finally met the shore’s background and they seemingly melted in a serene landscape only nature could paint.

“Gina, as much as I’d love to have children, I guess I can live with this, I think.”

“No you couldn’t, Derrick. I know you better than any woman could, even better than your mother and sister. I know you wouldn’t want to lie to them or make excuses to them either.

“If, if, if you want to call the wedding off,” she turned her back to me and I could hear her cry. “I, I, will understand.”

I walked up behind her and put my arms around her waist.

“Gina, if you think after all this time I’m giving up and quitting on you, then you’ve been reading the wrong mind. I love you.

“I know there has to be a way we can work this out. Maybe we just sit Julie and my parents down after we come back from our honeymoon and then tell them the whole story; they might understand.

“Though my mom is really my step-mom, her and dad think you are the greatest thing that’s ever happened in my life. You know Julie loves you; you’re like the sister she never had.

“We can tell them together, say about a month after we’re married. Does that sound like a plan for now, or what?”

Gina twisted around facing me and smiled as she wiped away her tears. She raised one hair to stroke the back of my neck as she gently kissed me. Pulling her head back slightly, she looked me in the eyes, she whispered, “Sounds more like a what. I so love you, Derrick Henderson. I want this to work. I wouldn’t want you to lose your family because of me.”

“That’ll never happen. I know it’ll take some getting used to, especially the part of having kids every eight to ten hours. If you don’t mind, let’s do some serious family planning. I love kids, but not one every other day, all right?”

She laughed, and I grinned.

“I know it isn’t funny, Derrick. It was just the way you looked when you said it.”

She read my mind again, but hell, I love this woman too much to let her go. I know we’ll find a way we can live with this, but there is one other thing I need to know.

“Yes, you will be able to see your son, but as I said, only once a year for thirty days once he is strong enough. Unless Tobemo or one of the visitors can find a way to make it permanent.”

I looked at her with raised eyebrows but said nothing, holding a trace of a smile on my face.

“Sorry. I love you as well, and you are right, we will work something out. You have to admit I have been good about not reading your thoughts aloud until now, right? Admit it, haven’t I?” She began poking my sides causing us both to laugh; more me than her. I’m ticklish.

Just when I was about to say something, she pressed herself against me and kept pressing forward until I found myself flat on my back on the sand and continued poking my sides making me laugh even harder. I couldn’t take it any longer.

Grabbing both of her wrists, I finally got the upper hand and rolled her over on her back and kissed her. Lightly at first, then the kiss deepened. If I could bottle and package the love we have for each other, we could be zillionaires, but I’m not selling something as priceless as this.

“Hey, lover-boy, it’s starting to get late. You have to take me home and you have to go back to your place and get some rest for the big today tomorrow.”

“That’s easy for you to say. You aren’t the one that has to explain all this to my family.”

“You won’t be alone. We will do this together.”

“Let me break the news to them. Believe me, I’ll want you there with me, and if I end up needing your help, I won’t hesitate to ask.”

We got up off the sand and Gina hugged me tightly.

“That is another reason why I love you so much.”

“You read my mind again, didn’t you?”

“I couldn’t help it. Sometimes you make it so obvious that it is hard not to do. I do like your thought you would go to the ends of the world for me, even if it is round. In a way, I wish you could go back to my world, but that is impossible.”

We walked back to my car hand in hand under the brightness of a quarter-moon. On the way home, I knew I would have to talk with Tobemo. When we arrived at her apartment door, Gina said, “He will listen to you, don’t worry. He is my brother, but you are also his friend as he is yours. Just be yourself.”

__________

After I got her home and kissed her goodnight, Tobemo and I took a little walk.

“Derrick, my friend, I know what troubles you. It is one thing for you to believe and another for your family to comprehend what is happening and with what yet will be.

“You feel as though they will not understand about Gina. You believe they will either see this as a joke or some kind of sick game the two of you will have thrown at them. You also believe that if they do believe you, they will not accept Gina as a real member of the family.

“I ask that you trust me. After tomorrow, Derrick, any fears and concerns you will have will be unfounded. In truth, you underestimate your family. They are strong and proud just as those on my world. You will see everything will be all right between you and your family after the wedding.”

“All that’s easy for you to say, Tobemo. I hadn’t planned on telling them anything until after Gina and I came back from our honeymoon. After all, don’t you think this is just too much to hit them with?”

“No. When we first met, I involved you in a great deal in a short period of time and you overcame it what thoughts ran through your mind that very day. If you are a true representative of your family; they will be as you. Trust me. Tell them after the wedding. If all does not go well, I have an alternate plan that will convince them almost completely.”

“Tobemo, don’t be playing any mind games or tricks with them tomorrow. I don’t think I can take any more surprises.”

“Remember what I said. It takes courage believing in others when they do not know or understand another’s beliefs. When trust is believed, it becomes embedded in the mind for all time. They will trust you. I know they will.”

“I hope so, Tobemo, for all our sakes. But I guess what you’re saying is true. Gina and I might as well break the truth after the wedding instead of prolonging the agony. She said she would be there with me when I did. I guess tomorrow will tell the story for all of us, one way or the other.”

“Derrick, tomorrow will not be a story, it will be a truth. Your family will know this, and that is all that will matter.”

I shook Tobemo’s hand, and we made our goodnight’s to each other, and I got in my car and drove back to my place.

All the way back, I started rehearsing different ways of telling my family the truth. Each time I started, it sounded like a jumbled Stars Wars fantasy run amuck.

Just when I thought things were going to get easy. That’s what I get for thinking.

__________

“… and by the powers invested to me by the Commonwealth of the State of Massachusetts, I pronounce you both, husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

Gina and I turned toward each other. I pulled back her veil and stared into the most alluring eyes any man would ever see. We leaned into each other slightly, brushing our lips together for what seemed to be the longest and most interesting second of my life.

“Congratulations, son!” boasted my father, as he slapped me on the back. “Now stand out of the way and let an old man get a hug and a kiss from his beautiful daughter-in-law.”

Looking over at his wife, my step-mom, Elaine, and my sister, Julie, he smiled and beamed with pride saying, “I’m a very lucky man today. I have three beautiful women in my life to love.” He hugged Gina, as she smiled and kissed him on the cheek.

My mother hugged me, tears in her eyes from being so happy; I almost wanted to cry along with her.

“Derrick, I have waited and prayed for this day for so long. I don’t know why the two of you waited so long. You should have gotten married months ago. I can tell you right now, she is a very special girl, son.”

“I know, mom. Believe me, I know,”

“Hey big brother, what about me?”

Julie held out her arms and we hugged and shared a few cheek-to-cheek kisses when she whispered in my ear, “You know what? I sure would like to get to know Gina’s brother. He’s cute, but he’s kind of tight-lipped if you know what I mean.”

“Julie, trust me, Dallas (who would believe Tobemo), isn’t the talkative type. He just here for the wedding, then he has to go back home.”

“I know. There is something so sexy about him. I think it has to do with that white strip running through the middle of his hair, and my God! Those eyes! What a hunk. My luck. Well, I’m going over to talk with just the same. You know, give him my number so he can call me sometime. See ya!”

I put out the mental vibe.

Tobemo, can you hear me?

Yes. Do not worry about, Julie. I will play the game with her. Later, she will come to believe I am like other human males of your world. All talk and no show, I believe is how it is said.

Thanks. But you can’t stay too much longer. Your hair is starting to grow wider. If I remember right, you have very little time left before you have to go.

I have precisely four hours and one minute before things get out of hand. I will be all right.

Here she comes.

I watched as Julie and Tobemo started exchanging pleasantries when I turned my attention back to my wife and parents.

“You know, son, this is a great day for all of us.”

“Thanks, dad. You know, in a way I wish my real mom could have been here to be with all of us. No offense, mom. You’ve been about the best mother a son could have ever hoped for, but—”

“You don’t ever have to apologize, Derrick,” my step-mom said. “When I met your father after you and Julie were born, I had already known how much you both cared for her, and I would never want you to forget her, or your feelings for her.”

I stepped between my parents and hugged them both. “I love you both, very much.”

Julie came back with a smile on her face.

“Derrick, I think I have him hooked. He said he would call the next time he gets into town.”

I shook my head as I looked over at Tobemo.

She is persuasive, Derrick.

Tell me about it. Never mind. I don’t want to know.

“Derrick,” said Gina, “It’s starting to get late, and Dallas, will have to be going soon.”

We excused ourselves as we walked Tobemo outside the small chapel.

“Derrick, Gina; I wish you both a long life blessed with many happy events.”

“You too, my friend. See you next year.” I put out my hand in friendship and we clasped hands.

“I will return without fail. And remember what I said. Tell them. I think you will be surprised by the turn of events.” Then he turned and faced Gina.

“Sister, you have done well. You could not have chosen a better life-mate.” Tobemo stepped in to kiss Gina on her forehead. In return, he bowed her head, so that she too could kiss him on the forehead as well.

“Perhaps next year Tobemo, may be the year you can stay forever.”

“Perhaps, sister, we shall see. If not, I will continue to find a way, and get that thought from your mind. I refuse to take the female form. The gaffer species will never lower its priorities.”

Tobemo walked away, reached the end of the street, turned right, and he was gone from our sight.

“Come on, Gina. Let’s get back inside and round everyone up and get to my parent’s house. I’m already nervous as it is, and I really don’t want to do this, but we might as well get it over with.”

I found out later when Tobemo and Gina gave kisses to the forehead, which was their way, without words, to tell each other how much they are loved.

__________

Sitting in the living room, Gina, and I, seated on the couch, my parents each setting in a recliner, facing us, and Julie, sat to Gina’s left. I inhaled and exhaled sharply.

“Derrick,” said my dad, “whatever you have to tell us, you better hurry, or you two will be late for your honeymoon.”

I laughed nervously.

“Okay everyone. Gina and I talked this over and we decided to tell you something that might change things for all of us. I wanted to wait until we came back from our honeymoon, but somehow it seems more important to just get it out of the way now.”

“I don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about, Derrick,” said my dad. “Quit talking in circles and just say what you have to say.”

“Okay.”

I started with how I first met Gina and how we developed our relationship. Then I told them how I met Dallas, Gina’s brother, Tobemo, and what transpired during that first meeting. I explained that I thought I was going crazy at first, but when I told Gina what had happened, that was when things took another turn, when I found out Tobemo is her brother.

I felt like I was rambling at a thousand miles an hour, but I knew I had to get it all out. I went on to describe to them the conversation I had with Tobemo over telling them now, or after we came back from our honeymoon.

I kept watching my parents and Julie’s eyes, trying to see a sign of either shock or dismay; perhaps confusion. All I could see was the same look they showed earlier when the wedding ceremonies were over; understanding.

“That’s it. I know it sounds absurd, crazy, and out of this world, which in a way it is, but it’s the truth. Now, I’m ready for you to tell me how much of a fruitcake I am.”

I held onto Gina’s hand; my palm sweaty. I didn’t know until just then, just how nervous I really was.

“Derrick,” my step-mom said, smiling, “I know all about this and so does your father. Julie just learned of it herself only yesterday as your father and I decided it was time to let her in on our secret, and we have sworn her to secrecy. We felt it was time to tell her as we also knew after the wedding, or at some point, the entire story would have come out.”

“Ah, mom, do you want to back the tape up? I think I missed something here.”

“What she’s trying to tell you,” interjected my dad, “is that your mother is the same as Gina.”

I never knew three seconds of quiet could last so long.

I looked at Gina.

“Tell me my hearing is all right? Tell me I’ve not just gone to the Twilight Zone. Tell me you don’t know what’s going on?”

“Honestly, Derrick, I didn’t know a thing. I am surprised as much as you are.”

“She would have no way of knowing, Derrick,” my mother said. Since your father and I married nearly thirty years ago, we have kept it a secret just as the two of you would have kept it a secret.”

Looking at Gina, she continued.

“You never knew because I have learned to separate my thoughts where you would never learn the truth. It was a learned practice. It took several years before I was able to shut off my ability to read David’s mind.” She laughed heartily. “He would get so frustrated when I knew what he was thinking before he said it. Now, except for our chat, I haven’t read your father’s thoughts in years. Of course, all the time you roomed with Julie in college, you never would have found out because she knew nothing at the time.”

“Both of you knew all this time and never said a word? Why?” I asked.

“Your father and I look at it as simple trust in one another. We agreed to tell you when the time wasn’t just right, but when it was perfect.”

“Yes,” said Julie. “I just found out about Gina and Tobemo just last night. It was a chunk of info for me to digest, but I get it. I’m even happier now that Gina’s my sister-in-law. And, big brother, I think I got to Tobemo. I told him before he left tonight that when he came back next year, I would make his stay as enjoyable as possible. I think he’s about the most intelligent and sexiest man I’ve ever met.”

I looked at Julie and said, “Keep in mind, he can only stay so long, Julie. Thirty days does not a relationship make.”

“I know, but zero days makes even less. I’ll take what I can get until with any luck, one day he can stay here for good.”

We sat around and talked another two hours before it was time for Gina and I to go on our honeymoon.

I finally understood Tobemo when he spoke of trust. You have to believe in what’s said when it comes from the heart. When you do, it stays with you forever.

After we loaded our bags in the trunk, I hugged my mom and dad, and Julie, as Gina and I said our goodbyes, and off we went.

An hour into the drive, I looked over at Gina.

“You really didn’t know, did you?”

“No. I had no idea. It was as much a surprise to me as it was you. She is the first Geggi from my world I have met. Sorry, I mean female.”

“Look at it like this, Gina. When we get back you’ll have a mother-in-law you can talk old times with.”

“Perhaps. I don’t know if you saw or not, but I could see the look in your father’s eyes when your mother spoke, and I could see his emotion for her swell deeply inside him.

“When we come back, I want to see the same look in your eyes for me as well.” She reached over and squeezed my right hand which was reaching for hers as well.

“That goes ditto for you too, Gina.”

I pulled off to the side of the freeway into a rest area.

“We just got started, why are we stopping so soon?”

“You’ll find out soon enough, if you haven’t read my mind that is.”

I reached into the glove box for a small black pouch that holds the stop watch Tobemo left for me over a year ago. I opened it, and like the last time, the hands and numbers disappeared, and were showing a multi-colored bright gas from Tobemo’s world.

See my brother? Your fears are unfounded, and all is as it should be. I shall see you both within a year’s time. Sister, if you come with child, I shall see you sooner.

Tobemo, you are better than a friend could ask for. I pray you find a way next time where you can stay for good, or longer at least. Oh, and you better get plenty of rest because Julie has a hot thirty days planned for you. Goodbye, my friend.

As I said, Julie is persistent. I shall be up to the task. Take care brother and sister. Farewell.

Farewell, my brother.

I closed the watch, and the gases of Tobemo’s world disappeared. Those final words came as a hushed whispered from Gina.

“He was wrong, Derrick.”

“Huh? Wrong about what?”

“He thought our wedding was the first between our worlds.”

“Yeah. Know what? It kind of makes me wonder just how many other women from your world are here and married.”

“You mother confided in me the number; at least what she believes is correct. Almost twenty-thousand. But she said that number was from about five years ago.”

“Wow! So, we aren’t the first to have kids then, I bet.”

“No, but we will be the first to have children with the Henderson name.”

That made us both smile and laugh for a few seconds.

I started the car as I told Gina it was time for us to get back on the road. I didn’t want to waste another minute of our vacation at a rest stop.

“I love you very much, Derrick. For an earthman, you are all right; you know that?”

“Yep. And you, young lady, are a real gas to have in my life.”

Gina slid a little closer to me and said, “Now remember, you promised I would get to meet Mickey and Minnie, and Donald and Pluto and….”

“Yeah, I know, I know. But that’ll be a little later into the honeymoon, okay?”