Alien in the Family

memories.
    I’d originally thought we only had the over-eighteen crowd, but I discovered all the little girls were here, too. They all seemed to know something I didn’t, because they were already in the concert hall, practically vibrating with excitement.
    There was a very pretty blonde in there with them. She was dressed nicely like the other guests, so I figured she wasn’t an employee. “Hi, I’m Kitty.” Put out the paw.
    She stood up, took my hand, and smiled. Looked very athletic as well as gorgeous. “I’m Denise Lewis, Kevin’s wife.”
    Figured. The gorgeous guy with bags of charisma had married the gorgeous gal with bags of charisma. I figured I’d be able to pick their kids out easily—look for the gorgeous ones with bags of charisma.
    “Great to finally meet you. And thanks for coming.”
    “Happy to be invited. We really appreciate how the A-Cs have protected us.”
    “Did you know what Kevin did before last year?”
    She laughed. She had great teeth, just like Kevin did. Wow, amazing. I wasn’t gay, but if I’d been forced to go to the Free Women planet, this would be the mate I’d pick to take with me. “No, but when you’re being kidnapped by a terrorist organization and a group of the most handsome men you’ve ever seen rescues you and your kids, you catch on really fast that your husband didn’t stop being a running back because of a bad knee.”
    “So Kevin was a professional athlete before? I knew it!”
    “Yeah, not too long, though. Your mother recruited him early in his career.”
    This was probably a story for another time, but I made a note to get said story later. “So, why are you on babysitting duty?”
    “Oh, the kids are so excited about the band.”
    “It’s not Hannah Montana or the kids from High School Musical , is it?” I could see Chuckie doing that, but not Reader.
    “No.” Denise laughed again. “And no one’s going to tell you, so don’t try to ask.”
    “So, again, you’re riding herd on the rugrats why?”
    “I don’t really know anyone.” She looked as though she hadn’t meant that one to slip out. “I mean, I know Gladys and your mother, sort of.”
    I looked around. “Kids, Denise and I are going to the bar area for a little bit. Who’s big enough to behave themselves without us?” All the hands went up. “That’s why I love you all, you lie so well and quickly. Injure no one, including yourselves, break nothing, rip nothing, be good or I’ll send in a lion to eat you all up.”
    Shrieks of laughter from the littler girls, rolled eyes from the bigger ones. I grabbed Denise’s hand and dragged her out. “You don’t get to hide in here while I have to see everyone and pretend this is fun.”
    She laughed. “Kevin said you were a fun girl.”
    “That’s me, Miss Fun.” Found the women I was looking for. “Emily, Melanie, Ericka, this is Denise Lewis, Kevin’s wife. Denise, Ericka is Paul and Michael’s mother, Melanie is Lorraine’s, Emily is Claudia’s. This may not help much. Denise doesn’t know anyone. Let’s change that, shall we?”
    Ericka laughed. “From what my sons have told me, Kevin’s an honorary member of the family, so that makes you family, too.” She linked her arm through Denise’s. “Let me take you around and force you to meet everyone. I’d do the same to Kitty, but she’s supposed to be having fun.”
    Denise grinned. “Like your friends and family, Kitty.” I would have replied, but Ericka was already moving her off.
    “Nicely done,” Melanie said.
    “Even gorgeous people can be shy.”
    Emily hugged me. “I’m so glad you’ll be a real part of the family soon.”
    “Oh, yeah, how are you guys related to Jeff?”
    “Oh the usual several cousins several times removed.” Melanie laughed. “Really, don’t try to keep it straight.”
    “Wow, no worries there. So, who’s the band? The kids are beyond excited.”
    “I’ll give you one hint,” Emily said, and it was clear she was trying not to grin. “Most of the men are going to be happy to miss them, and all of the women are going to love them.”
    “Everyone loves a mystery.”
    “Yep!” Lorraine and Claudia came up. “James told us to make sure you got a drink, even though it won’t be alcoholic, and to get you into the seat of honor in time. Band starts in a few, so, stealing our girl now.” She and Claudia each took an arm and dragged me off.
    Since I had to relax and have fun, I forced myself to do it. Lorraine