Neutral Space(39)

“My wife.”

“You got married? That’s wonderful but who if not Jeannie?” She stopped stirring the pot and faced me smiling.

“Jeannie and I were friends; we never planned to get married.” She gave me a harsh look. “You’ll like her, I promise; but Sarah, she’s Kelsairan.”

“Jackson, stop joking.”

“Mom and dad didn’t show you my letter, did they?” She stared at me. They hadn’t, of course, so she wouldn’t worry. “Kheda and I met on Micea while we were both on leave, we’ve been through some hard times since and well we got married over a month ago.”

I offered her my hand showing her the wedding band. She sat down in a chair before nodding “Have the boys seen her?”

“Gabriel approves.”

“It’s just a shock Jackson you go off to fight them and end up marrying one.” She got to her feet “Can she eat our food?” she asked. I smiled that was all there was to it with Sarah she was easy enough to convince. If I was happy, she was too..

“Who is this gorgeous young woman?” Mark asked as he came in the kitchen with Kheda on his arm.

“Jackson’s wife apparently,” Sarah said with a harsh glance at her husband.

“I tried to tell him,. I spoke English and everything.” Kheda explained to me while looking at Mark.

“Mark just likes to make an entrance.” Sarah smacked her husband’s hand as he stole a carrot. He grabbed her and kissed her cheek before letting her go. “I’m Sarah, Jackson’s sister.”

“Kheda Peterson.” She replied with a smile. I glanced at her not knowing she wanted to take my name. Sarah was amused.

“I like her,”Mark told me.

“You would,” Sarah replied.

“But I love you,” Mark recovered.

“Keep that up, and you’ll be in trouble with both of us,” I warned Mark. He was a good guy really; he was just always smooth when it came to women. I noticed Kheda watching him and my sister. I’m sure it was strange for her. Sarah was only 5’5” with dark hair and eyes. She looked a lot like our mother. Mark was an even six feet and towered over Sarah. He had blonde hair and brown eyes but was tan from working on his own farm that joined my parents. They’d bought it from the Smith’s when they moved back to Earth. It kept them close, and my parents needed the help with me away.

Mark and my sister had always been close and married young. They never hid their affection for one another. Kheda seemed spellbound by their interaction. The way he’d interrupt her cooking or get in trouble for tasting it. I always found it surprising they didn’t have more children. But then again, the boys were a handful. Mark finally stopped pestering Sarah and sat down at the table. I sat down across from him, and Kheda sat on my lap.

“Staying long, Jackson?” Mark asked pouring us each a glass of iced tea.

“Mark, you know we can’t.” Sarah glanced over her shoulder as if it were Kheda’s fault.

“The boys miss you,” Mark said taking a long drink.

“I know, but it can’t be helped when things settle down we’ll come back.”

“They’ll be a new baby by then.” I looked at Sarah.

“I’m hoping for a girl.” She went back to her pot on the stove.

Kheda got up “A baby? Really? Are you carrying now? How does it work with humans?” Sarah looked to me for help.

“She’s just curious. She won’t even talk to me about it.” I offered. My mother came in and took over at the stove.

Mark looked at me. “I guess because you’re a man.” I shrugged. I had no idea why she did half of what she did. Kheda and Sarah disappeared into the living room.

“God Jackson, where did you find her?” Mark asked quietly so my mother wouldn’t overhear. “I love Sarah, don’t get me wrong. I wouldn’t trade her for anything but man.” He shook his head looking towards the living room.

“It’s a long and complicated story, just like the rest of our life is going to be.” I looked to the door as the boys ran in with a bag a piece.

“Take those straight to your uncle’s room and don’t open them,” Mark yelled after them. My father stood in the door and waved us both outside. He sat down in his rocker on the porch and tossed us both a beer. Mark and I leaned on the rail. Dad pulled out my letter and handed it to Mark. I nodded in approval. Mark set aside his beer and read the letter when he was done he took a long drink.

“How long were you in there?” Mark finally asked.

“Eight, almost nine, months.”

“They can’t do that you were a prisoner of war and they knew it.”

“They did it to me, and they trumped up charges on Kheda.” I took a drink. “there were other soldiers in there. They’d been there long enough to fit in so they wouldn’t get the crap beat out of them every day. It happens more than anyone knows.”

“You have to go to the government.”

My father shook his head then looked to me. “Why are they saying you killed her? She’s obviously alive.”

“They want to find us and couldn’t do it on their own.”

“And our government is helping them?” Mark was outraged. I wanted to say more but I knew to do so would endanger them.