Chapter 8: Time Moves Forward

Kara and Lake had their date and thought it was wonderful. They spent every afternoon together getting to know each other and meeting each other’s families.

When Helen and Kara noticed their blood had arrived, they each felt a quiet, familiar pang—an acknowledgment that, this season, they would not become mothers. It was a mixture of relief and something unspoken, a gentle, hollow ache. On one hand, there was the sense of freedom and ease, a reminder that they could go on with life as usual. But on the other, there was a lingering sense of loss, as though a door had briefly opened to possibility, only to close once again.

For Helen, the feeling was a subdued sadness, softened by experience, while for Kara, it was new, unfamiliar, and perhaps more poignant. She had known this season might not bring new life, yet part of her had wondered, even hoped that she would be one of the women in the community to bring forth a baby. She had even hoped that she would have Lake’s baby.

In silence, they both understood the blend of feelings—a season ending, a sense of potential missed, and, woven through it all, a tender acceptance that there was always another chance next season.

Kara arrived at school that day and upon greeting Lake, confessed that she was not with child, that their mating did not result in a baby this season. Lake was equally glad and sad by the news. He was starting to feel something for Kara and the idea of getting pregnant had stirred something inside of him that was new to him, but instinctual at the same time.

“Maybe next year honey.” he said to her and then hugged her and comforted her.

Lena, Kara’s friend, bounded over to the couple, her face lit up with excitement. “I didn’t get my blood today! I think I’m pregnant!” she squealed, bouncing with joy.

Kara wiped away her own tears, a smile breaking through despite the bittersweet ache in her chest. Hearing Lena’s news stirred a mix of emotions—part of her felt the sting of longing, knowing this season wouldn’t bring her a child. But she was genuinely happy for Lena, wrapping her friend in a hug, glad to share in her joy.

“Congratulations Lena! You’re going to make a great mom!” Kara said, hugging her friend still coming to grips with her missed opportunity this season.

“I can’t wait to tell my parents. They are going to be happy for me!” she said, then bounded off to talk to the other girls in their group.

Kara hugged Lake, letting him rub her back, trying to comfort her.

After school, Lake and Kara walked home, but bypassed her house and just kept walking together, holding hands, as they both worked through the fact that Kara didn’t conceive this season.

They ended up on the hill near the festival grounds and sat down while looking over the grounds where they met as man and woman for the first time. Kara was resting her head on his shoulder while holding his arm as they both processed.

Dr Grimling watched them on his screen and when they sat on the grass near his tent, he actually felt bad for them. He looked around, wanting to do something for them. He found a small box and some colorful paper on it. He put two translator bands in the box along with a picture of how to put the bands on their foreheads. He gave it to one of the cameras and had the camera drop the little box on the grass near them and then sat back and waited.

Lake saw the box seemingly appear next to him. He picked it up and opened it, finding a sheet of paper in the box along with two thin strips with small lights on it. He unfolded the paper, looked at the pictures and then showed it to Kara. “Hey, look what I found,” he said to her.

She looked at what he was holding, “Where did you find that?”

“Right here, next to me. It just sort of appeared.”

She twisted around and looked at the paper, then picked up the translator bands and figured why not try it out. She put the band on her forehead, just as the paper described, and heard the band announce to her. “NEW USER DETECTED. CONFIGURATION COMPLETE.”

She looked around trying to figure out what she had heard and then told Lake to put it on his head. He did, heard the same thing and they just sat there looking at each other.

“Kara, Lake, don’t turn around, but I want to talk to you both.” Dr Grimling said, silently moving to sit behind them.

“Who are you?” Lake asked, pulling Kara tighter against himself.

“My name is Dr Kaelon Grimling. I am a biologist from another planet.” They both gasped at his admission, but he quickly told them to hold on. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to surprise you or frighten you, but I am filming your family Kara and I saw how sad you are. I just wanted to tell you that it will be ok and next year will be better.”

Kara pressed her cheek against Lake’s shoulder. “How do you know this? How can you know what I’m going through?”

“Because of my job, I have been studying your people. I also wanted to wish you and Lake a happy anniversary of your births. You are both very fine young people and I am sure that you Kara would have been a great mother.”

“What do you mean you have been studying us?” Lake asked just before Kara thanked him for the well wishes.

“My team of people, travel the universe finding interesting plants and animals for study. When we find people like yours, who are intelligent and able to reason, we reach out to them and make first contact. Well, I’m breaking the rules doing this. I just couldn’t let you sit there like you are. I... “ he said, then fell silent at a loss for words.