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Jennette

“You used a portion of my formal name with Nancy,” Seeker observes.

I can’t tell from his tone whether he’s upset. Maybe I should have asked. “It sounds more like a real name here. Seeker seems like a nickname or an online handle. And people might ask questions. Do you mind?”

“Not at all. The name on my official identification says Tamzir Jaarn.”

“Then I’ll call you Tam from now on since we’re trying to make our relationship work in real life.”

At least I hope that’s true. I want to be with him, no matter how complicated things get.

The exhaustion from hours of driving settles into my bones as I make sure the boys have kibble in their dishes.

I leave the bags by the front door and collapse on my lovely, cushy sofa with Seeker—no, Tam—I’ll need to get used to that.

We curl up together for a bit and I cuddle the boys.

Scotty crawls all over both of us, at one point shaming me profoundly by putting his butt right in Tam’s face.

Spock remains cautious, only approaching from my right, as Tam is on my left.

I stroke Spock’s spine, eliciting a deep and rumbling purr.

“Dinner?” I ask, before realizing that I’m too tired to cook for him.

I promised I’d try to find meals that he can digest properly, probably tofu-based, but I don’t have the energy or ingredients tonight. Fortunately, Tam seems to realize this.

“Another time. I’m surprisingly weary, considering that we did not do much.”

“That’s so true! It’s weird how tired you get, just sitting in a car.”

“I would like to rest if that is acceptable. I can use the small room or share with you, whichever you prefer.”

I don’t know the right answer here. “I’ll leave it up to you. I was fine in the motel, but if you’d prefer more privacy…”

“I’ll share with you,” he says at once.

That alacrity puts a smile on my face. I shoo the cats and get up, heading to the kitchen to put away the casserole and make a simple PB the sheets are cool and inviting. My body gravitates toward his.

“Jen,” he whispers.

There is wonder in the way he says my name, as though he can’t believe he’s truly here.

Neither can I. He’s the proof I dedicated my life to searching for, but I feel no need to parade him around.

No, that desire has been superseded by fear that he could be taken from me.

I remember the two guys from the con; they probably can’t get to us here, but I don’t feel completely convinced that it’s over.

And what if he figures out a way to leave?

We could be together for years, then he’d just suddenly be gone.

I cuddle him close, breathing in the bright spices of his now-familiar scent.

He must have turned off his tech camo after closing the curtains because my eyes agree with what my touch declares—that his differences are exquisite and rare.

But I’m too sleepy to marvel for long.

“Sweet dreams.” I fall asleep beside him, lulled by the cadence of his respirations.

The next morning, I stir as the doorbell chimes. My eyes snap open.

“Who do you think it is?” Tam asks.

“Not sure. I’ll go see.” I pad barefoot to open the front door, rubbing sleep from my eyes.

“Surprise!” My sister barges in, carrying a paper bag that smells like pastries. She’s probably been to the Franz Bakery Outlet. I love the raspberry-filled doughnuts. Mom’s right behind her, and ordinarily, I wouldn’t mind them dropping by unannounced.

I hope Tam can activate the tech camo before my family sees him. Actually, I’m not even sure if it’s something he wears or had implanted. I can’t search the living room for his gear without them following me. My heart pounds so loudly that I can hear it in my ears.

“We thought we’d catch up after breakfast, see how your trip went.” Glynnis sets the bag on the kitchen counter.

Just then, I hear movement, and the footsteps are far too loud to belong to Scotty or Spock, who come trotting into the kitchen in search of cat food.

“Is someone here? This early?” my sister asks.

“Tam,” I say, trying for a casual tone, as if I’m talking about my long-term boyfriend, not someone I’ve talked to online for a while and just found out is an alien a few days ago.

“I demand details,” Glynnis says.

Mom hasn’t said a word, which is bad for me.

Under normal circumstances, she’s a chatterbox.

I should have had four stories about her senior group, the WTF ladies, by now.

But she’s just staring, eyes narrowed. Then Tam steps into the hall, and to me, he looks as he always does as a human.

But who the heck knows how he appears to Glynnis and Mom?

And I can’t ask because that would be so weird. I can imagine the convo:

Me: Ha-ha, how does Tam look to you? Please describe him.

Them: Are you okay?

Me: Not even slightly.

“Good morning,” he says.

“Morning,” Glynnis answers, her gaze flicking between us. “This is…new. Jen hasn’t mentioned you.”

“New is good. And I’m happy,” I say.

Mom’s lips press into a thin line, her analytical eyes doing a sweep. “How long will you be staying?” she asks, her tone suggesting it should be a short visit.

“I’ve been traveling,” he says, which is true enough.

“A digital nomad, huh? Are you a tech worker?” Glynnis leans against the counter, her interest mingling with skepticism. “Or are you trying to launch a vlog channel?”

“No, I’m definitely not trying to become famous,” he says.

I choke back a nervous laugh. “Why don’t we have some of these pastries? I’ll make coffee.” Then I realize Tam can’t eat or drink any of that, which will seem weird and unwelcoming to my mother and sister.

“I’ll tidy up the bedroom,” Tam says.

It’s kind of him to offer, but I think he’s mostly clearing off so I can talk to my family. I’m plating doughnuts and Danish when Glynnis pokes me. “Okay, so is he a visitor? Or did you literally move in with someone without even telling us you’re dating him?”

Mom weighs in, her voice carrying a flavor of concern that borders on judgment. “Why so sudden? You’re usually more…deliberate with your decisions.”

I place the plate on the table and finally turn to face them, choosing my words carefully. “Things just fell into place. Sometimes you meet someone, and you click.”

Glynnis raises an eyebrow, unconvinced. “But not even a hint that you’re seeing someone before now? That’s weird.”

“And secretive,” Mom adds. “I know you. And you’re nervous. Hiding something.”

Dammit, she’s right. Why am I so bad at prevarication?

My sister grabs my arm, eyes wide. “Oh my God. Is he married? Did you seduce a married man at Space Con?”

Thankfully, I can laugh at this. “I’ve never seduced anyone in my life. And of course he’s not married. You’ve been watching too many Korean dramas.”

Glynnis loves Asian entertainment the way I adore science fiction.

Tam returns then, and the room settles into an uneasy quiet.

I’m sure he knows they were asking about him.

Actually, the apartment isn’t that big, so he probably heard everything too.

My mother grabs my arm, a silent command that pulls me away from the kitchen and into the living room.

Hopefully he can survive one conversation with my sister.

“Jennette,” Mom begins in that tone—the one laden with disappointment and concern. “What are you doing? This is unlike you, bringing home a virtual stranger.”

“I know what I’m doing,” I protest, but she motions me to silence.

“Jennette Marie Hammond. Moving someone in overnight, someone we’ve never heard of… It’s impulsive. It’s risky.” Her voice lowers, her words slicing through the air between us. “You don’t know the first thing about him.”

“His name is Tam.” A defensive edge creeps into my voice. “And I know exactly what I’m doing. I’m an adult, you can’t just show up without calling and judge my choices.”

“Choices have consequences,” she counters. “You’ve always thought things through before leaping. Why is this any different?”

This time, the answer comes easily. “Because with Tam, it doesn’t feel like a leap. It feels like coming home.”

She sighs. “But consider—”

My patience snaps. “I appreciate your concern, but this conversation is over.”

Glynnis rushes into the living room, confirming my theory that they can hear everything in the kitchen. “Do you hear yourself? You’re taking a tone with Mom because she’s worried about you.”

“Right now, I need you to trust me, even if you don’t understand.” I draw a deep breath, steadying myself against the inevitable backlash.

“Trust you to do what exactly?” Mom asks.

My sister nods. “That’s what I want to know too.”

They don’t think I understand the real world. They think I’m too lost in my unusual interests to look after myself. Time to prove them wrong.

I take the next step without hesitation. “If you can’t do that, I’d like you to leave.”

“What the hell,” Glynnis snaps, raising her arm.

She might have hit me, but Mom grabs her arm. “Fine. We’ll go. But remember, we’re only worried because we love you.”

“I know. And I love you too. But I need some space. And I’d appreciate it if you called before stopping by.”

Glynnis mutters something beneath her breath, but family or not, that’s just good manners. As they exit, I close the door behind them, leaning against it with a heavy sigh.

That is not how I wanted any of this to go.