Page 5 of I Think I’m in Love with an Alien

“You’re welcome to sit with me,” I say politely.

The elder spends a good deal of time arranging personal belongings and then turns to me with an expression I find challenging. Lips and eyes convey meaning, but not to me. I’ve done most of my communication remotely.

“Where are you headed? If it’s not too nosy. If it is, then never mind.”

“Rellows, Utah.”

“You’re going to that outer space convention? I’m visiting my cousin in Provo. I’ve been meaning to check on her, but traveling gets tough at my age.”

I make an encouraging sound, and the elder tells me about their life until the vehicle starts. Eventually, they taper off and begin making odd noises. It would appear they have fallen asleep in the middle of a sentence. How curious.

Four more hours, and I will finally meet Jen. One moment of connection in a desert of loneliness.

The others don’t know this, but this will be my first and last moment with all of them. Once the gathering ends, I have some plans percolating and I’m getting off this rock, one way or another.

Group Chat

OCTOBER 24 | 18:44

Jeneticist: Here are the photos I promised. I took them in college.

Stargazer: Wow, these are gorgeous. Professional quality.

JazzyPlum: There’s something so mysterious, but also rather lonely. About the stars.

FarfromHome: Loneliness is for the weak-minded.

SquidHead: You never get lonely?

Seeker: Call me weak-minded then.

Jeneticist: Maybe we can help.

Seeker: Never mind. I don’t want to derail the discussion with my personal issues.

Stargazer: Well, I feel like we’re getting to be friends. You can talk to us if you’re going through a tough time, Seeker.

JazzyPlum: I second that!

FarfromHome: They don’t speak for me.

SquidHead: Every party needs a pooper, that’s why we invited you, FFH.

Jeneticist: I wasn’t trying to form a support group, but there’s no reason we can’t do both. Talk about aliens and boost each other when we need it.

Seeker: Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.

Stargazer: Getting back to the photos, if Seeker doesn’t want to go into detail right now, I’m wondering if you work at an observatory, J.

JazzyPlum: Oh good question! I’m curious too.

Jeneticist: That was the dream, but right now, I’m an adjunct professor of astronomy at a community college. I also do some online math tutoring to pay the bills.

Seeker: Then you’re interested in the sciences.

Jeneticist: Definitely. I really only tap my creative side when I’m applying biological knowledge to try and predict what type of life would arise on what type of world.

SquidHead: Oh, that’s so fun! I actually wrote a simulator that helps with the probability. It’s like Spore, but for aliens. And I haven’t released it.