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But like all old men, Ma’xon is a stubborn goat.
So rather than admit to his people he doesn’t want to talk about bird migrations through the colony or the new senate tax on tourism, he just stands there and listens. And listens. And listens. Before finally, he says something noncommittal.
Maybe his inaction has gotten him in trouble finally.
“You need to complain more,” his sister says. “Because everywhere I turn, someone splashes some new promise he’s made to them at me.”
“I tried talkin’ to him about it.” I shrug, thinking about how sideways our conversation went a week ago. It was after the first time we went out to dinner. Every other person there thought they needed to speak to him about colony business. I had eaten my three course meal before he’d even tucked into his appetiser. He didn’t have the hearts to tell them to buzz off and when I asked him about it. “He said this was all part of the transition of power, listening to people’s problems isn’t hurting anyone.”
“Uh-huh, well, it’s hurting my authority. And it’s obviously hurting you.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I see Betty reach for the trail mix dish. She and Lawrence are watching us like we’re about to have a soap opera level blow out. If Pri’za is fine airing all our laundry out in front of them, so am I.
“Is it that obvious?”
“You look like a neglected pet when his attention is anywhere but on you.” Through the heat mirage, her features soften as she sighs. “Which means he is being a very poor mate. And I can’t apologise for his errors, but know that when he files for a formal proceedings for these transgressions, I will make sure each step is met with his best.”
I blink and look at my spa buddies for clarity.
“Three steps, very bureaucratic, absolutely hilarious,” Lawrence whispers.
“I don’t need an apology, I just want to spend time with him. He said twenty-five years, not twenty-five minutes.”
“Just have him submit his abdication forms again,” Betty suggests around a mouthful of nuts.
“But he’s already transferred power to me.”
“Yes, but there was no ceremony.” She lounges back again, throwing one leg over the other. “He just sorta left one day, and we all know people here like a formal shindig.”
Lawrence and Pri’za both nod. Clearly, my mate wasn’t thinking of the full ramification of his leaving to find a human mate. Which on one hand, when you’re burnout like he clearly was, it makes sense. He needed to go, so he did.
“Why not just throw him a retirement party?” I suggest. “That’s what happens on Earth. When the newscaster for the radio retired two summers ago, we threw a big ole barbecue for him and everything. The whole town turned up.”
“Oh yeah, my dad got a clock when he retired.” Lawrence shrugs, but doesn’t offer anything more.
“Okay,” I say. “But I know Ma’xon doesn’t like parties. It’s something we matched with on our quizzes. So how are you going to convince him to go?”
“Then we’ll make it a surprise party. I can whip something together in a few days. We just have to keep him distracted. Convince him to take you on holiday or something.” Pri’za looks downright set on this plan happening now. How is she going to pull this off so quickly?
“Or go back to Earth,” Lawrence says.
“What?” That’s not an option, right? Is he saying I could have gone back to get my stuff this whole time?
“Lor’fe always says you have the best ideas. That would give us just enough time to set up and spread the word around. I’ll call the programme and get it organised for his bounce trip. Odette.” Pri’za looks at me. “Think of something back home you have to have, tell him you need it, and Ma’xon will bend over backwards to get it for you.”
Betty and Lawrence keep talking about how they can help with the party. The three of them organised a full battle plan in under thirty minutes while I’m just sitting here thinking about all the stuff I left on Earth. Where is it now? Is it safe?
I should just ask Ma’xon.
“Welp.” I slap my hands on my knees and stand. “I better go, practitioner has something for me and I’m turning into a raisin.”
I make my Midwestern goodbye and speed walk my way to the changing rooms, completely ignoring everyone around me. There is no way I want to go back to Earth. My skin crawls just thinking about possibly running into people I know. It’s insane because I left without my say so and I’ve only been gone a month, but Axilaria is my home. Ma’xon is my home. And no matter how much I think about all my stuff on Earth while I shower, I can’t stand the idea of asking him to go all the way back to get it.
“You know,” Pri’za says, nearly scaring the bejesus out of me when I step out of the shower. Her silly outfit is off and she’s back in her formal colony boss bitch clothes. I scrub my finger against my nose piercing. “It wasn’t a surprise to any of us that Ma’xon decided to join the programme. We just never expected him to quit his job too.”
I look at her, not exactly sure where she is going with this. Instead, I focus on pulling my own clothes on. One foot in my leggings, then the next before I shimmy them up to my waist.
“I don’t think he’d been wholly honest when he told me I’d be taking over. This role can age a person, beyond the physical, and you see what he’s like.”
