John took in the aroma of the food. His mouth watered in anticipation of what was to come. He had no clue what it was that was being served. He only knew he liked the smell and his mouth watered waiting to taste the food served. Jane on the other hand just stared straight ahead. She refused to let the earthlings see her excitement of eating another sampling of their nourishment.
Jenny broke the long silence finally. “Eat up,” she said, looking at the two. “It was my mother’s favorite recipe,” she quickly added.
John nervously picked up the serving spoon and scooped up a hefty helping onto his plate. He then took a slice of the garlic bread. Jane poked him. He suddenly realized the fruit dish he had to serve himself, even though he was a little leery about this recipe because it did not have the aroma the other dish had. Once his plate was filled with food, he sat back and savored in the aroma while the others at the table quickly served themselves, including Jane.
John finally turned to Jane. “You should seek lessons.”
Jenny smiled politely. “You haven’t tried it yet.” She turned to Bobby. “I thought you said they weren’t a couple.”
“They aren’t,” Bobby responded and then glanced curiously at the two.
John quickly picked up the fork and took a bite. He closed his eyes and moaned. “This is good.”
Jane was taken aback. “And what I prepare to nourish our bodies isn’t?” she snapped.
John turned to her. “There was always something peculiar about the taste of everything you prepared.”
Jenny cleared her throat. An argument at the table was something she never tolerated. It was a time for communicating, and she insisted it always was civil. Her mother insisted on that at all times. There was enough dissension in the outside world. She did not want the anger of that world to seep in, especially not at mealtimes.
Jenny cleared her throat. “How long do you plan on staying here?” she asked. Although it was no trouble having them there, Jenny was not running a bed and breakfast inn. Furthermore, she would not allow the family to be taken advantage of. Granted, she didn’t own the ranch. It belonged to her father, but he was in no condition to handle this matter.
Jane turned to John as if expecting his help in answering Jenny’s question. They both turned to Bobby who was looking wide-eyed at Jenny.
“Is there a problem?” Bobby asked Jenny finally.
“We can’t keep going like this. I’m not running a motel.”
“What do you mean?” John asked in a way that was not meant as cocky. He genuinely did not understand the culture of earthlings and felt Bobby truly wanted them there.
“Jobs, that is what I mean.”
Jane and John turned to Bobby, who up until then had been their interpreter. They looked puzzled and wanted an explanation about what Jenny was saying. Both had jobs. Jane was the captain of this expedition while John was her navigator. It puzzled them as to what more Jenny wanted out of them.
“Jobs?” Jane asked with a curious look.
Jenny was not going to let Bobby cut into the conversation. She also was not going to let the family be taken advantage of. Granted, she liked the two, although she found them a little peculiar. Jenny finally turned to Jane.
“Yes. Like in earning money to pay for food.” Jenny pointed to the food on the table. She shook her head at the puzzled look on Jane’s face before continuing. “What are you qualified to do?”
John quickly cuts in. “Don’t let her prepare nourishment for the body.”
Jane kicked John under the table, but everyone there could tell something had transpired by John’s sudden yelp and the thump that was heard by all.
Jenny did not want to cause trouble between the two but was determined not to let it rest. “Have you ever done waitress work?” she asked.
“Waitress work?” Jane said, repeating Jenny’s words. She had no clue as to what Jenny was saying.
“Wait on people. Serve them food.”
John almost choked on the food he was eating as he started laughing uncontrollably. Jane kicked him again. He suddenly became serious because Jane was the senior officer and eventually he would have to pay for his insubordination.
“Sounds like a good job,” Jane said with a nod.
Jane had overheard Jenny talking to Bobby earlier and knew Jenny was not at all pleased they were there. If it meant acquiring something called a job until John could get the spacecraft operational, then she would do her part in getting this job so eventually they could get off this planet.
“You can start tomorrow then.”
Jane turned to John. She nodded her approval as if it was important that he understand that this was something she had to do.
“It’s an excellent job,” was all she said and then continued eating.
In all actuality, she did not know what Jenny was talking about, or for that matter what a job was. It would be something she would have to ask Bobby later. He was aware that what Jenny was talking about earlier, and she was sure he would be of help now.
Jane forced a smile and then turned to John before looking back at Jenny. “What kind of job is he qualified for?”
John looked surprised while Bobby quickly cuts in. “He could deliver papers. I hear they are looking for a delivery person.”
John turned to Jane and made a face. “Sounds like a good job,” he quickly responded. “I like the sound of a delivery person.”
Jenny turned to Bobby with concern. She was not so sure that this would be a good job for John. After all, a delivery person should have some familiarity with the area, and she doubted whether either of their guests knew how to get into town let alone deliver things to the rural area.
CHAPTER 14
It was late. John and Jane had retired earlier in the evening under the pretense of having a busy day tomorrow. Bobby stayed downstairs playing checkers with Elmer as they usually did in the evening. Although Elmer had the beginning signs of dementia, Bobby enjoyed his grandfather’s company. Most of all, he enjoyed the stories of the old days. The only thing he did not enjoy was listening to Mario Lanza and all the old opera records that were the hallmark of Elmer’s record collection.
Bobby glanced at his watch and then quickly jumped the last of Elmer’s pieces on the board. “I’m calling it a day,” Bobby said while yawning.
“You ain’t giving an old man a rematch?”
“There is always tomorrow.”
Jenny glanced up from the book she was reading. She had wanted to talk to Bobby about school but never found the right moment to bring up the subject. Jenny feared she was becoming a nag when it came to Bobby and his academics. Nevertheless, she knew the importance of a higher education. If he did not get his high school diploma, a perfect score on the SAT was not going to be worth the paper it was written on.
Bobby was out of the room and up the stairs before she could say anything. He quickly went down the hall, but before he entered his room, John peeked out of his room and motioned for Bobby to come in. Bobby looked surprised as he walked into the room. Jane was perched on the end of the twin bed against the outer wall with both hands on her knees. She looked up nervously at Bobby. John walked over to the other bed and sat down. He put his hands on his knees and just sat there in silence.
“What’s up, dude?” Bobby asked.
John rolled his eyes and motioned to Jane. “We have a problem,” John said with a sign.
Bobby turned to Jane. “What’s wrong with her” She doesn’t look so good.”
“It’s the job.”
“What about it?”
“She is worried about becoming a waitress.”
“Why, what’s to worry about?”
“In our world machines serve our nourishment.”
“Machines,” Bobby said with a puzzled look.