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“True. Okay, try not to worry about it. I’ll see you soon.”
We end the call, and I can’t help but think about what I saw during lunch. Scarlett’s tone alerted me to something I hadn’t considered before. Tara and Fraser may turn this around on me. For the first time, it occurs to me that without evidence, they could say I was lying to be a troublemaker. But they wouldn’t do that, would they? Everyone who knows me knows I’m a good teacher. I work hard at my job.
I put on my pajamas and try to reassure myself that my good social standing at the school and in my community will protect me from whatever they may say against me. But in the back of my mind, I remember what happened with Scott. I thought the same thing, and look how that turned out.
Seventeen
Sem
“Caroline?” I say outside her office.
She looks up from her work, and her grey eyes meet mine. “What can I help you with, Sem?”
“Do you have a minute to discuss something?” I usually speak English with Caroline as she told me that she’s always more than happy to practice with me. We have somewhat of a mutual understanding. Sometimes, she corrects my English, and I correct her Alliance every now and then, but only in private.
She nods and motions me in.
I sit across from her, and she waits for me to begin. It takes me a few seconds to collect my thoughts. I don’t want to sound like a rambling boy.
“Ivy and I are going on a holiday to Santorini. However, I don’t know what she’ll expect, and I worry I’ll disappoint her.”
Caroline gives me a sympathetic smile. “Sem,” she closes her computer. “As long as you’re honest and yourself, you won’t disappoint her. How many months have you been talking now? Whatever it is, that’s a lot of time over a screen. Don’t you think it’s time to see each other just to be sure?”
“I told her I didn’t want to rush things,” I explain. “I want to enjoy all of this courting very slowly.”
“That’s very honorable of you, Sem, and I’m sure if you’ve explained this, she’ll understand...”
“But?” I could hear the preamble of Caroline telling me I’d made a faux pas.
“But modern women from the US might be confused by this behavior.”
“What do I do?”
Caroline shrugs her shoulders. “Follow your heart. Neither the High Council nor the High Priestess can see you on Earth.”
“But the goddesses would know.”
“True. But don’t you think they might forgive you, given the circumstances?”
I consider this. “Did you have sex with your husband before you were married?”
“That’s a very personal question, Sem.”
“Should I ask it in Alliance to make it less personal?” Caroline and I always joke that some sentences that are perfectly normal in Alliance are alarming in English. I ask her the same question in Alliance, “Did you and your other half have sex before your marriage ceremony? I’m only asking to try and understand human women better.”
Caroline gives me a big smile and answers me in perfect Alliance, “Yes, we went against the goddesses and had sex a few times before our marriage ceremony. I couldn’t have done it otherwise.” Then, switching to English, she says, “You’ve got to trust your instincts. It might be she’s not ready either.” Then, after a few minutes of silence, she asks, “Have you chosen appropriate clothing for your vacation? Just getting the small details right will make the bigger issues easier.”
“I thought I’d wear blue jeans and a shirt. That works in most of the Western world for human men.”
“Oh, Sem, it’ll be way too hot for that, even with the medicine to acclimate you to the local temperature. Now clothing is something I can help you with. Let’s plan a little shopping trip. I’m sure I’ll be able to think of more romantic tips for you at the same time.”
I thank Caroline, and we agree on a time to go shopping. I’ve never been shopping with a woman so I’m especially looking forward to the experience.
“My pleasure. It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Greece, and I’d like to do some shopping myself in Athens. We’ll make a day of it.”
* * *
I look at my reflection in the dressing room at a men’s clothing shop in Athens. I have my Dulu holo device on, so I see myself with cream skin and long blonde hair. I’m wearing human clothing like I’ve never worn before of somewhat rough and light fabric. Caroline assures me it’s popular in this area of the world. I think I look absurd, but she and the shop attendant assure me otherwise.
