Zeta Clifton found herself a young widow with two young children. Her husband, Bryan, was accidentally killed during a military drill. Money wasn't an issue or concern. She had plenty of that before she married Bryan. And widows and children of deceased military personnel are well cared for with complete medical, dental and eye coverage benefits along with a generous twice monthly stipend check. Her Bryan had been raised by two career military personnel. Both of his parents are Generals. But neither were thrilled with his choice in a wife.
Zeta had been home schooled by her free spirited parents. She grew up in a relatively large home with a negative carbon footprint. Having a nearly zero or negative carbon footprint is fairly typical these days. All homes are now built to be as green as possible. Except Zeta's family lived on a small farm and grew their own vegetables, fruit and nut trees, raised chickens and goats. Her parents had wanted a large family, but Zeta would be their only biological child. So they became foster parents. Zeta's best friend is her foster sister, Mary.
Zeta's parents were killed while she was away at college. A cargo shuttle crashed into their home. Zeta inherited the property and much more. Her parents' insurance completely rebuilt the home. But Zeta hadn't expected to ever be happy there again. It was a lot of home and property for a single young woman with no kids.
Then while out dancing with Mary, she met Bryan Clifton. They hit it off instantly and were married three months later. But Zeta didn't meet her in-laws until they came for the birth of their first grandchild, and they didn't attempt to hide their disapproval of Zeta, her chickens, her goats and her two Border Collies. Yet Bryan had made it very clear to his parents that he was in love with Zeta and her earthy ways. It was nice to have a real home, to put down roots. He had always wanted pets as child and he enjoyed helping Zeta care for their animals. Although, he did feel weird about the goats milk at first.
And when his parents brought up military school for their grandchildren, Zeta's eyes nearly popped out of her head. Except Bryan had hated military school. And much to Zeta's relief wasn't interested in it for their children, which made his parents very unhappy. For several generations on both sides of his family, they had military careers that began with military school.
Zeta didn't have to worry about a home for her children. She owns her property. There's no monthly mortgage or rent to be concerned with. There's just property taxes and household maintenance. As a military widow with two children, the twice monthly check is something that would support even a widow with the average mortgage payment to make, but she doesn't need it. Instead, the twice monthly check goes into a trust fund for her children. She works part-time on line for her mother's company, it pays very well and still leaves her with plenty of time for her children. Except with Bryan gone, her in-laws criticize her directly. They aren't helpful or supportive in any way, shape nor form.
Yet Zeta tolerates them because they're Bryan's parents, the only living grandparents her children have. And even if they don't like her, they do love their grandchildren and only want what they believe is best for them. Unfortunately, Zeta and her in-laws are never going to agree on what's best for her children. When Mary moved back in to help out, it was a great relief for Zeta. Not because she really needed help with the housework or children, but because she didn't have to endure Bryan's parents alone.
Zeta's son, Gabriel, is six and her daughter, Jasmine, is four when the request arrives for Zeta to attend a formal dinner at the world's capital in Sydney, Australia to be a representative of a sort for widowed military mothers. She assumes her in-laws must have recommended her, and it made her think better of them. Besides, it would be good to get away for a few days. She and Mary could do a little sightseeing with the children. And if Bryan's parents wanted them for a night or two, she and Mary could go dancing. Zeta hasn't gone dancing since just before Bryan died, over a year ago. It would be good for all of them. And her friend, Fred, Mary's sort of boyfriend, volunteered to look after their animals while they were away. He and Mary had been seeing each other for years, but Mary seemed reluctant about making it an official serious relationship.
After arriving in Sydney and checking into their hotel, Zeta learns that the dinner is for their first true interplanetary neighbors, the Nokotoans. They are more technologically advanced than Earth, and Earth scientists, government and military are eager to make them happy so they will share some of their advanced technology. Especially their space travel advances that allow them to travel great distances in just a few seconds. Apparently, they've discovered how to fold space.
It's a grand affair. Zeta's in-laws have never seen her dressed up with makeup on before. They expected to be embarrassed by her. Seeing her like this gives them a better idea why their son, Bryan, was head over heels in love with her. Her wildly wavy black hair is tamed into a neat bun and decorated with delicate platinum butterfly clips. Zeta's short curvy figure by military standards is a little over weight for her 152 cm (5 ft.) height. But her evening dress hugs and flatters her curves nicely. She has an ample bosom and the one shoulder strap dress shows off her bosom nicely without revealing too much. The two Generals are receiving many compliments on what a wonderful daughter-in-law they have and that their son had chosen well for himself.
Zeta is used to often being the shortest person in the room and heard Nokotoans are a tall people. And she hadn't heard wrong about them being tall. They range typically from 180 cm (6 ft.) to nearly 270 cm (9 ft.) in height. Zeta feels lucky that the Nokotoan gentleman she is seated by is only about 210 cm (7 ft.) tall. Even though he seems to have a gentle disposition to Zeta, the man is still huge compared to her. He seems very curious about Zeta and ask her a lot of questions about herself.
"I am Anlo," he introduces himself to her, "Anlo of House Voltrand."
Zeta shakes his hand, "I'm Zeta, Zeta Clifton. It's very nice to meet you Mr. Voltrand." His much larger hand seems to nearly swallow her own.
He seems a little reluctant to release her hand. "Please, call me Anlo. Are you related to the Generals Clifton?"
"Yes," Zeta confirms, "They're my in-laws."
"In-laws," Anlo questions, "I do not yet know this word in-laws."
"They are my husband's parents," Zeta explains. "We call the parents of our spouse our in-laws, mother-in-law, father-in-law."
Anlo nods his understanding, "I comprehend. They are the parents of your mate."
"Yes," Zeta confirms with a pleasant but somewhat sad smile.
"Where is your mate this night," ask Anlo. "Could he not attend this night with you?"
"No," Zeta explains, "He's dead. I'm what we call a widow, a woman whose spouse has died, is no longer alive."
"I comprehend," replies Anlo. "I see you are still sad from his departure. Have you been a widow long?"
"Just over a year," shares Zeta.
"So long and you do not have a new mate yet," questions Anlo.
Zeta shrugs slightly, "It's not like I'm looking for another husband. It's okay with me if I don't remarry. I love Bryan very much. It's hard to find something like that just once in a life time."
Anlo's brow furrows because he doesn't understand. He doesn't know the word love. This language is still new for him and he isn't sure what to ask so he'll understand. "I would think there would be many males petitioning your parents to have you as a mate. Are you unable to produce offspring?"
Zeta thinks it's an odd question, but he is from another planet and she is sure things are quite different on his world. "We don't petition for mates here. Besides, my parents are dead and if they were alive, I don't think they would like it if someone petitioned for me. Here we date the people we're interested in, get to know them. During dating, if they fall in love, they may choose to get married if they both choose it. They may choose to have children, but not all couples choose to have children. And I seem to be able to have children just fine. Bryan and I have two children.
"Males," inquires Anlo.
Zeta smiles, "One male and one female."
"A female also, that is very good," says Anlo. "Your world seems to have an abundant supply of females."
"Is that why there are only males with you," ask Zeta.
"Females are rare and precious," Anlo tells Zeta, "They must be treasured and protected. We would never risk their lives during exploring our neighboring solar systems."
"I wish all men felt that way," says Zeta. "Most men here take women for granted. And many are more interested in other men than they are women. It can make finding a man very hard for women here."
"I think I comprehend," but it's hard for Anlo to imagine. There were so many women here. He had never seen so many women in one room before; although, most of the women at this event seemed to be unavailable, but this Zeta female is available. Yet she is so tiny it is hard for him to imagine her pregnant. And he wonders if it is safe for a man to mate with such a small woman. But she'd had a mate and has two children. Yet perhaps her mate had been as small as her. Except the Generals weren't as small as her so he doubted that her mate had been small like her. Shorter than himself surely, but not tiny like her.
"So are you married," ask Zeta.
"No, we are not," answers Anlo.
"We," questions Zeta.
"My brothers and I," clarifies Anlo. "Our parents have been unable to find a mate for us."
"How many brothers do you have," ask Zeta curious.
"I am the oldest of seven," shares Anlo.
"Big families like that are rare here," shares Zeta. "My parents wanted a large family, except all they got to have was me. But they were foster parents so I had lots of foster siblings."
"Foster," questions Anlo, "I do not comprehend this foster."
"Foster parents take care of other people's children when they can't' care for them themselves," explains Zeta.
Anlo nods. He thinks he understands.
Dinner ends and they move to a ballroom. There's a band playing at one end, karaoke at the other end and plenty of room for dancing and mingling in between. Anlo stays near Zeta, fascinated by her smallness and enjoying conversing with her. Many of the other people of this world he has met, like the Generals, seem guarded and suspicious. But Zeta isn't like that, she's open and honest.
Zeta notes that some of the Nokotoans seem to have some unique hair colors humans don't have naturally. Anlo's hair is an intriguing shade of deep blue while her own hair is black. His irises are at least twice the size of human irises with one indigo in color and the other a golden yellow color while his skin is a Caucasian shade similar to what her husband's had been. Zeta has a year round head-to-toe tan that her husband loved.
"Your eyes are two different colors. Is that common on your world," Zeta ask Anlo curious about the unique trait.
He shakes his head, "No, I have my mother's eyes, but it is not common. I am the only one with her eyes."
"And is that his natural hair color," inquires Zeta pointing to one of his companions, "or is it died that color?"
"That is his hair," answers Anlo, "That is the color he was born with as this is the color I was born with. Why would one alter the color of their hair?"
Zeta shrugs, "People here alter themselves all the time. They change their hair color, buy contacts to change their eye color, wear makeup like I am tonight and even go to doctors and have surgery to fix things they don't like about themselves."
Anlo isn't sure he's understanding everything she is telling him, but he shares, "We often use makeup and good smelling liquids on ourselves to impress females. And we take good care of our bodies so a female will want us."
"Well, from what I have seen so far, you're all beautiful. I wouldn't think you'ld have any trouble attracting females," Zeta tells him.
"Beautiful," questions Anlo, "What is beautiful?"
Zeta explains, "It's when something is pleasing to look at, you find it attractive and enjoy looking at it."
"You find me pleasing to look at," ask Anlo.
Zeta blushes, "Well, yes, I find you very pleasing to look at."
Anlo smiles. It's a good strong smile. "I enjoy looking upon you also." Anlo asks, "Do you think people from your world would like to visit my world, maybe live and work on my world?"
"I'm sure many people would fall over themselves to visit your world," answers Zeta. "Many people aren't satisfied with their lives here and would love the opportunity to start over someplace else."
"What about you," ask Anlo, "would you like to start over someplace else?"
"I'm okay with my life," answers Zeta. "I have a nice comfortable home and a good job. I miss Bryan, but I'm okay with my life here. I wouldn't mind a visit though."
"If you come for a visit, you must stay with me and my family," insist Anlo. "We would very much enjoy a visit from you and your children, yes. There are many things I would very much enjoy to show you. Things I am sure you would find... beautiful."
"You and Anlo seem to be getting along quite well," comments the president as she steps up to Anlo and Zeta.
"Yes, Madam President," confirms Zeta with a smile. "If I've said or done anything to offend him, he hasn't said anything about it. He's been very kind and patient with me."
"Zeta has been kind and patient with me also. She has not been offensive in any manner," even though the people of this planet seem to have finally matured to a reasonably civilized level, Anlo didn't want to risk Zeta possibly being punished for no reason. He wants to make sure her superiors know she's doing a good job. "I have been enjoying conversation with Zeta very much."
"I'm very glad to hear that," responds President Manhunter with a pleasant smile. "Zeta's in-laws were a little concerned that she may feel out of place at a social event like this."
"Oh, they think because I didn't grow up eating, sleeping and breathing the military that I'm nothing but an uneducated moron who wasn't good enough for their son," Zeta shares with the president.
"Well that's just ignorant of them," responds President Manhunter. "But it does explain how they speak to me sometimes. Don't let it get to you. You just keep being you."
"Thank you," responds Zeta appreciatively.
"I am not sure I comprehend," admits Anlo. "You believe your... in-laws do not like you?"
"Unfortunately, I know they don't like me," shares Zeta. "Bryan and I had been married for nearly four years before they met me. They had told him they weren't interested in meeting his future ex-wife. They didn't meet me until I gave birth to our son, Gabriel. Then the questions about preschools, private schools and military schools began. Bryan hated military school and promised himself he would never do that to his own children. If they choose to serve in the military once they are adults, that's fine, but we just want them to have happy childhoods."
"So what type of educational programs are your children in," ask President Manhunter interested.
"I'm currently homeschooling our daughter, Jasmine. She's four and she reads and writes already. Gabe asked to go to the local public elementary school this year so I enrolled him. And it's a good thing he's tall for his age because he's too advanced for first grade. He's in the third. And so far he loves it and is doing very well."
"Were you homeschooled," asks the President.
"Yes, ma'am, I was," confirms Zeta. "I had a very happy childhood. My parents were foster parents, and the only time things were sad was when a foster brother or sister was moved to another foster home."
"What did your parents do for a living," ask the President curious about this wonderful young woman that believes her in-laws, the president's two top generals, are unhappy with her.
"My father was a geneticist, but he hated to be called doctor and he only worked three days a week. Family was everything to him," shares Zeta. "And my mother was an IT tech, but she usually worked from home after I was born. She only went into the office like once a week."
"Zeta, what's your maiden name," asks the President curious.
"Ziegler," answers Zeta hoping President Manhunter won't recognize the name.
President Manhunter recognizes the name, "Was your father, Dr. Frances Ziegler?"
"Yes, ma'am, that's my dad," Zeta smiling pleased.
"That would make your mother, Diane Fox-Ziegler, the former CEO of Core-Intel Communication Technologies. An IT tech, you were being modest," the President tells Zeta.
"That was how she described her work to me when I was little," shares Zeta.
"The Cliftons have themselves the cream of the crop for a daughter-in-law and don't appreciate it," says President Manhunter.
Zeta shrugs casually, "I don't even know if they know who my parents were. Besides, I only have a Masters in Engineering Technology."
"Only a Masters," says the president amused. "You are way too modest. Do your in-laws know you have a Masters in Engineering Technology?"
Zeta shrugs, "They've never asked me about my education. I know they are aware that I was homeschooled as a child. But they don't seem to think they need to know more about me beyond that."
"What is wrong with school at home," ask Anlo, "This is how nearly all young ones are educated on my world."
"There's nothing wrong with it," answers the President. "Some people just doubt the ability of some parents to educate their own children properly. But Zeta's parents were more than qualified to educate anyone's children, as is Zeta. We have basically concurred racism and sexism here on Earth. But other prejudices have arisen to replace them and be a problem like social class discrimination, economic background discrimination, and Zeta's in-laws are having problems with what some are starting to call educationalism. If you didn't attend certain schools then they believe you're educationally inferior to them.
Zeta, just try to have a good time tonight. Don't worry about your in-laws. You're the mother of their grandchildren and there's nothing they can do about it. So dance and sing karaoke if you like that sort of thing, just have fun."
"Thank you, Madam President," Zeta says appreciatively.
"Just have fun," insist the President, "Now, I need to circulate and rub some more elbows," and she steps away to speak with someone else.
"We have music and dancing on my world, but I am unfamiliar with this karaoke."
"Oh, it can be a lot of fun," Zeta smiling brightly. "When I met Bryan, I was the town karaoke champ. People like to think that they have talent, that maybe they might be able to sing a song as good as the original artist or better. And even if you really can't carry a tune or your tone deaf like this guy, it's still fun."
"Will you do it," ask Anlo, "Will you sing a song?"
"It's been a while since I've done karaoke," admits Zeta. "I've been busy being a wife and mother. But I guess it couldn't hurt."
"You could not do worse than this male," states Anlo.
Zeta signs up to do a song, "I don't think many people could do worse than him, but he's having fun."
They chat more as they wait for Zeta's turn to sing. A comrade of Anlo's who's nearly a head taller steps up to speak with him. Zeta doesn't understand a word of what's being said.
"
"Kamaki," responds Anlo, "
"" responds Kamaki understandingly, "
"
"
"
"
Anlo shrugs, "
"
"
Zeta shakes Kamaki's hand, "It's very nice to meet you, Kamaki. I hope you're enjoying your visit to our world."
"Every world is unique," responds Kamaki. "Each possesses things to be treasured."
"Zeta," a man calls, "Zeta is up next."
"That's me," Zeta says with a smile. "Don't get lost. I won't be long," and she rushes up to the microphone.
Anlo watches in amazement as Zeta belts out the song like she's been doing it her whole life.
"Generals," President Manhunter steps up by Zeta's in-laws to watch Zeta sing. "You neglected to tell me what a wonderful person your daughter-in-law is. When I suggested we invite her to represent widows of our service men, you weren't very enthusiastic. I've spoken with her. She's quite a remarkable young woman, and obviously quite talented too."
"She doesn't have a proper high school education," grumbles Zeta's father-in-law.
"You haven't bothered to get to know your daughter-in-law, have you," ask President Manhunter.
"With all due respect, Madam President," says Zeta's mother-in-law, "not that it's any of your business, but we really don't see the point in getting to know Zeta. She keeps chickens and goats."
"She also has a Masters in Engineering Technology," President Manhunter informs them. "That's a heavy major. Most people who attempt it don't make it through the first year. They transfer to something else, something easier. Do you know her maiden name? Who her parents were?"
"We know they're dead," says Zeta's father-in-law. "That they were homebody hippies like her. What else is there to know?"
"Homebody hippies my big toe," says the President. Then she informs them, "Her maiden name is Ziegler. She's the daughter of Dr. Frances Ziegler and Diane Fox-Ziegler. The man who perfected the gene-therapy for neuroinfaletic syndrome, and her mother was the CEO of Core-Intel Communication Technologies, the largest most successful company on this planet and she made it that way. They weren't homebody hippies. And what's wrong with keeping chickens and goats? Many people keep chickens and goats."
Neither of Zeta's in-laws know what to say. Their heads are spinning over who their daughter-in-law's parents were. Finally, Zeta's father-in-law says, "It doesn't change anything."
People applaud as Zeta steps down from the microphone. As the President applauds she tells the Generals, "I don't need or want anyone who's foolish, bigoted and pigheaded running anything for our world. You both have three month to put in for your retirement, or I'll fire you."
"President Manhunter," says Zeta's father-in-law shocked.
"You heard me, General," states President Manhunter firmly. Then she walks away from them. She's being generous by giving them the opportunity to retire with honor.
Zeta has a wonderful evening. And Anlo ask if she would be willing to spend time with him the next day, tells her he would enjoy meeting her children, and Zeta doesn't see any harm in it.
She meets him in her hotel lobby with her family the next morning. She waves, "Anlo."
Anlo waves as he approaches her and her family. "Zeta, I am so pleased to see you again. Thank you for allowing me to spend time with you and your family today."
"You're very welcome, we're glad to have you along. Now, this is my son, Gabriel. He's six and we just call him Gabe."
Gabe shakes Anlo's hand, "Wow, you're even taller than my dad was. Are you a giant?"
Anlo likes the boy instantly and smiles. "On my world, I am only average height. Many are taller than I."
"And kind of hiding behind me peeking at you is my daughter, Jasmine. She's shy around new people at first. But once she gets to know you, she's lots of fun."
Jasmine pulls her thumb out of her mouth long enough to open and close her small hand in a wave to Anlo. Anlo returns her wave.
"And this is my sister, Mary."
Mary shakes his hand, "It's good to meet you. Are all the men on your planet as gorgeous as you?"
"I do not know the word gorgeous," answers Anlo.
"It's like beautiful," Zeta tells Anlo. Then she tells Mary, "And from what I saw last night, the answer is yes."
"Are you looking for a mate," Anlo ask Mary.
"Not exactly," answers Mary, "just fun."
Anlo enjoys his day with Zeta and her family immensely. His favorite part was helping Zeta carry her children up to their room and helping her tuck them in. Then Zeta walks Anlo back down to the lobby.
"I very much enjoyed this day with you and your family, Zeta. Thank you for sharing it with me," says Anlo appreciatively.
"We were happy to have you along, Anlo," Zeta smiling up at him.
"In a month's time, we will return to our world. We have given your space division instructions to build a space gate. When it is complete, then we will be able to visit each other's worlds safely. Folding space for travel with a vehicle takes much planning, the conditions must be just right. It isn't as safe or reliable as a gate. The gate will take approximately five years to complete. But we are interviewing people to return with us. All our families are excited to welcome people from your world into their families. My family would welcome yours with open arms. I would very much like for you and your family to return with me."
"Anlo, I like you very much and my children really like you. But they just lost their father last year. I really don't think it would be good for me to suddenly uproot them at this time."
Anlo understands, "You are a very good mother, Zeta... Would it be alright for me to contact you regularly?"
"Yes, that would be fine. I would like that very much," it makes Zeta sad that Anlo will be leaving in a month and tomorrow she and her family will catch their shuttle back to North America. She would really like to spend more time with Anlo and get to know him better.
"I hope when the gate is complete, you will come visit. There is much I want to show you," says Anlo feeling a heat that he's never felt before.
"Only if you're going to visit us too," stipulates Zeta.
"Yes of course," responds Anlo, "I would very much like that. There are many wondrous things to see here on your world. I would enjoy seeing them with you and your family...
I know I must let you return to your room for sleep. But before I depart, I would like to ask a liberty of you."
"What," ask Zeta curious.
"May I... What is the word...? May I kiss you? I may not do well. I have not romantic kiss a woman before. But I would very much like to kiss you."
It was hard for Zeta to believe that women weren't falling all over themselves for this beautiful man. Yet she found the way he asked permission to kiss her very endearing. "I would very much like for you to kiss me, Anlo."
Anlo is very nervous. His hands trembling slightly as he cups Zeta's round tan face with his large competent hands and leans over. Zeta pushes up on to her toes to try and help keep him from having to lean so far over. Her hands slip into his long smooth deep blue hair. It feels like silk and his lavender lips are soft as they pull gently at her full well shaped lips. His kiss makes her feel cherished and treasured.
"Thank you," Anlo straightening back up to his full height.
"You're very welcome, Anlo. Good-night."
Zeta and her family return home the next day. Their lives basically return to business as usual except that Anlo calls Zeta every other day. The children are excited to talk to him when he calls too which pleases Zeta. She is very attracted to Anlo but would never see a man that didn't like her children or vice-versa. Anlo's time to return home approaches quickly.
"We depart for home next week," Anlo says sadly on the screen to Zeta. "Once I am home, I will only be able to contact you once a week. We will not be able to see each other until the gate for your world is complete."
Zeta is more upset about it than she expected to be or shows. "The time will go by quickly, quicker than we expect. Then we can start visiting each other."
"My hearts ache," Anlo tells Zeta. "I have never felt this way before."
Zeta's own heart is aching, and she feels a little guilty about it. "Don't worry, Anlo. Everything will be fine and work out for the best." That is more for herself than it is for him, but it comforts him too.