11. Sarah
SARAH
I didn’t recognize the species of a few of the males that came to help us move in, and knew I needed to find some kind of crash course in the members of the galactic community and their eating and sleeping habits if I was to make a proper go of things, personally and business-wise.
They were all very kind, with lots of calling me ma’am, which I tried to put a stop to while wondering where they’d picked that up from, and not letting me lift a finger except to point where I wanted things.
Doran and his brother Kaelor were fantastic, quickly memorizing which bedroom I’d said belonged to which child, immediately making sure the boxes labeled with their names went into the correct room without having to ask me.
They could tell I was missing them something fierce, and the sight of the beds that had been offloaded first had caused tears I’d had to quickly wipe away, refusing to dissolve into a puddle.
Not for the first time, I was really glad that I’d accepted the vintage Ethan Allen bunk beds from Grammie once Lucy was out of her crib.
They’d once belonged to Grammie’s sister’s kids and had ended up at hers for us grandchildren.
She’d long since decided that any great grandchildren visiting could sleep on the pull out loveseat and blow up mattresses, as that didn’t happen very often, and it gave her space to store her Christmas decorations in the now spare room so she didn’t have to try to go up to the attic to fetch them.
The solid maple frames had a few dings, to be expected after being used for children, but nothing major, and the finish still gleamed when polished.
The beds had certainly been made to last and were better quality than anything I could have afforded new, and had the benefit of being able to go from bunks to individual twin beds as they did now.
An unexpected bonus was that the colonial spindle styling of the beds might be seen as dated back on Earth, but here, in Walnut Grove, they fit right in.
The second load of furniture arrived after lunch, as did new mattresses and the curtains and whatnot in the order from the general store.
This load had the living and dining room furniture in it.
I watched as they unloaded it, not comprehending how I’d ended up with two dining room table sets and a hutch until my brain caught up.
“Those are Grammie’s!” I said, pointing, then noticing a taped envelope fastened onto a shelf on the hutch, I grabbed it. Grammie’s handwriting was easily recognizable, and a lump formed in my throat as I read what it said.
Surprise, sweet pea! Us gals needed to weed through our stuff, as we’d end up with three of everything, and we wanted to get some new stuff once we were there.
So, we each set aside the best for you after that Xero guy said they’d come pick it all up and see that you got it.
There’s the dining room set Grandpa bought me back in the 70s, and I knew you’d always loved it, so it’s yours.
If you don’t want it, you can give it to someone who arrives there and needs it.
There’s a sofa, two chairs, and coffee and side tables too, to do with as you will.
I saw on the TV that where you’re going is kind of like Little House on the Prairie- after the aliens decided that’s what a frontier town that would appeal to humans would look like, so me and the gals also have sent along some knick knacks you might find kitschy but fun.
In the box marked personal, there’s a set of photo albums. I had the photo place downtown copy and restore all our old family photos two years ago, and they put them all on a CD in case I wanted more copies printed later.
Fred next door printed them all off for me, and I labeled them all underneath.
The silhouettes of your mother, me, and Grandpa are also there, as is that grandfather clock that once belonged to your Great Grandma Shelley.
My wedding china is in a crate, which I personally supervised the Mylos man pack, as is my Corelle.
Did you know they reissued that pattern?
It’s a lighter green now, but I bought two boxes of it anyway, as well as all the spares I could find at the thrift store.
I figured it would be good for your guests, plus it’s hard as anything to break, so it's kid tough. Lord knows Emma was always taken with my dishes, saying how all you had was mismatched ones, as some of yours broke over the years. I also found my mother’s old roaster and had an electrician look it over.
It works perfectly, and Xero said they were putting in outlets in your kitchen and laundry room so you could use whatever Earth appliances you wanted to bring.
I asked Xero if he’d make sure you had the means to run two washers and dryers, and he promised he would, so you’ve got my Maytag set.
They might be from the 60s, but they run as good as the day your Grandpa bought them for me when your mom was born, so I could wash her diapers at home.
Love you, and I hope you’ll enjoy all the memories of us together whenever you use or look at these things.
Love, Grammie
“There’s another load coming,” the driver said. Some metal box shaped things and chairs and such.”
I sniffled then. Grammie’s furniture had all come from Sears, with the exception of her living room suite, which she’d replaced ten years ago or so.
She’d had me drive her to an auction where she bought the furniture she’d wanted to buy when she and Grandpa got married in the early 60s, but which they couldn’t afford.
She’d had the sofa and chairs reupholstered, and the tables refinished as their lacquer was peeling, but once they were in pride of place in her living room, she’d been pleased as punch.
That she was giving them to me now meant everything.
I turned to face Doran. “The public living room, the one in front…please move the couch, table, and chairs from our quarters to there and put the ones coming in ours instead. I blinked back tears. “I helped Grammie pick them out, and they’re special to her, so they are to me. I didn’t know she was going to call the Mylos and have them send them.
She must have called them right after Mom had her melt down.
Mom no doubt called her right away to vent.
” I let out a wet laugh. “Just wait until she finds out Grammie did this and is taking off for Florida.”
He nodded, spinning on his heel to go inside and start moving things around.
“Put the hutch,” I touched it as I spoke, stroking the maple colored wood lovingly, “and the table and chairs in the kitchen.”
Kaelor smiled. “On it! Murkle, come give me a hand, will you?” he called out to a Dragonii male who’d just stepped out onto the porch.
I caught sight of the time on my watch then and blanched.
“Lord have mercy. It’s past lunchtime already. I best go replicate some sandwiches for everyone,” I muttered.
The men all crowded around the counter munching and bantering once I’d called them to eat, and afterwards, thanked me and got right back to work.
Come supper time, not only were the bots finished with the remaining rooms, but everything was in place.
They guys had even helped make beds and hang towels and curtains, and unpack the rest of the boxes and put everything away.
“I owe you all big time,” I said by way of thanks. “Now, you all come back on Sunday, and I’ll cook you a nice dinner.”
“You don’t have to do that, ma’am,” Murkle said.
“It’s the least I can do,” I insisted.
“Is it going to be pot roast?” one of them asked. “Khalor told us that pot roast is a popular human Sunday meal and it’s super delicious.”
“I had it at Johree and Jesse’s,” Khalor added proudly.
I laughed. “Sure, it can be a pot roast.” If they had managed to get the stuff to make a pot roast, I was sure I could too.
I watched them all go, surprised when the Sheriff and his husband, kids, and dog came walking up.
“We’d have been here earlier to help, but we had work contracts to sign and then ended up helping Nick get his things moved into their place. His mate has a farm already, so there’s a house. He’s storing some of their stuff in a barn until the extra rooms get built.”
I smiled, recalling one of the reasons why Bob had made sure the house was finished early. “Your rooms are all ready. Have you eaten yet?”
“No, we haven’t,” Darren admitted. “We had lunch, and the kids had a snack, but that’s all.”
“I’m hungry, Daddy,” little Matthew whined.
“Me, too,” Evan said.
“Come on in, and come sit down. I’m afraid it’ll all be replicated food tonight.”
“That means no waiting, so that’s fine by me,” Darren replied. “I can’t tell the difference between it and my own cooking anyway.”
I laughed. “It does taste homemade, doesn’t it? Just not your own personal recipe.” I looked at the tired children and thought about what might appeal to them so they’d eat it all before crashing.”
They look tired. “How about you take your suitcases upstairs and get them changed into their pjs? I’ll set the food out while you do that. Pick any rooms you like. I ordered a pop up crib and had them set it up in one of the rooms, but you can move it to another if you’d rather.”
“Thanks,” Darren said. “They spent all day playing with Nick’s kids. We blocked out an area for Laura to play, and the rest of the time she was stuck in her stroller. I’m pretty sure she’s sick of the thing now.”
Right on cue, the toddler began to cry.
“I’ve got a high chair she can sit in, so we can get her sorted out pretty quick too.”
Darren nodded, taking Laura out of the hated stroller before going up the steps of the porch and then disappearing inside and up the stairs where Tarek and their boys had already gone. Doran had helped Tarek with their luggage, so all that was left for me to do was prepare food for all of us.
I spotted a can of Kendamil toddler drink powder as well as cartons of Kendakids chocolate nutrition drinks, presumably for the older two.
Those wouldn’t be cold, so I took them inside after putting the stroller on the porch, and placed the shakes in the fridge.
I washed the sippy cup I’d found in the stroller basket as well, and quickly made Laura’s drink up.
I asked the replicator to make cold versions of the Kendakid beverages, figuring if they were too tired to finish their dinners, they’d probably finish the chocolate drinks, ensuring they’d gotten enough good stuff in their bellies.
I then ordered up some chicken strips and fries for everyone, making sure to ask the replicator to do low sodium versions.
It was all plated and on the dining room table when they came down.
“Chicken!” Evan shouted, making a beeline for a chair.
“I made Laura up some of her milk and replicated the boys’ drinks so they could have them cold,” I told their dads.
“Perfect,” Darren sighed happily, looking as bushed as I was.
He ran a hand through his hair and sank down into a chair as Tarek strapped Laura into the high chair.
I handed him the plastic baby plate, and he set it on the tray.
Laura immediately grabbed a piece of chicken and stuffed it into her mouth, chewing happily.
“She can have regular milk too, or the same drinks as the boys,” Darren said, popping a fry into his mouth.
After swallowing, he added, “She’s only still on that as I’d bought a case of it without thinking about how she was going to be a bit old for it before we got through it all, and I thought, well, it won’t hurt her, and she can have it mixed with regular milk or on its own sometimes as she transitions off of formula. ”
I nodded. “That’s not a bad idea. I’ll keep that in mind when making her drinks.”
“Thanks. Um, I hate to ask this, but they asked if we’d start work tomorrow. Nick said he’d watch them, but he’s got his own kids and the boys can be a handful -”
I smiled. “So you were wondering if I could look after Laura?"
He nodded.
“I’d be happy to, and the boys some of the time too, to give Nick a break. My kids will be here in the next few days, so that works out nicely.”
“Thank you,” Varek said, a look of relief washing across both of their faces. “There’s not a creche yet, so we were at a loss.”
“Consider me your permanent babysitter for her then, as well as the boys when you need me. Caleb and Lucy will love having kids to play with when they get here.”
And maybe, just maybe, I’d miss my own kids a little less while being busy with the sweet faced but grumpy toddler currently mashing her fries in her fist before stuffing them in her mouth.