After Desi’s story, I let her get back to online life and called Alessia. I needed to keep the momentum going and let everyone know before I lost my nerve again. All I told Less was that I needed her to come over, but she was super suspicious. True, she’s always suspicious of everything, but she hammered me with so many questions in an extra skeptical tone. Thinking about it, I’d never invited her over before. She always just showed up. To be honest, I’d never asked anyone for anything before, and that wasn’t good. Could it be the Watcher allowed this to happen for the sole purpose of making me see my need for community? The punishment didn’t fit the crime in my view, but it was certainly effective.
Unlike everyone else, Alessia knew exactly what had happened to me immediately. I guess her paranoia was finally good for something.
“They got you,” she shouted. “Oh Watcher! They got you!!”
She paced all over the porch, freaking out as expected. Honestly, it was a relief not having to explain myself again, especially since I still got emotional talking about it.
“Are you okay?” she asked, after calming down.
“I’m honestly not sure. I still can’t believe it’s real. It’s a boy, by the way.”
“Awww! Well, that’s nice, right?”
“It is. I was fine having just one child until I met your boys. I’ve been thinking about what it would be like to have a son ever since. Can you tell the kids for me? I can’t handle a bunch of questions right now.”
“Of course. I can do that. Actually, I’ll do you one better! We’re going to have a baby shower!”
“What?? No! No one else knows besides you and Dub. I need time to tell the others!”
“No, you don’t! We don’t know what you have in there! We need to be nice to it in case it’s from a hostile race!”
“What in the world are you talking about, Less?”
“Look at you! You’re dressed like a smuggler! Do you want them to think you’re hiding, or you’re ashamed? A baby shower will make him feel welcome. And if he feels welcome, his people will leave us alone!”
“They’re not people, Less.”
“Call your friends and get them over here! And tell them to bring a gift!”
“Wh-now? It’s 10:30 in the morning!”
“They’re adults, Luca. They’ve been awake for hours by now.” She dashed into the house. “Sophiaaa, we have work to do!”
I sat there and sighed, knowing there was no way I could get out of it. I called Dub first, but it went to voicemail.
“Hey, Dub. I know you were just here, and you’re dealing with a lot, but if you happen to have some extra energy and strength today, I could use it. My sister is throwing me a baby shower. I really don’t feel like celebrating, but she thinks I need to. Anyway, if you’re able to come, I’d appreciate it. At the very least, we can help each other dodge Chi Chi, heh. But if you can’t make it, I’ll totally understand. I know I’m asking for a lot. You don’t need to call me back. Just come or not. Okay, bye.”
One down, two more to go. I needed a minute before I called Justin and the ladies. I already didn’t keep up with them as much as I should anyway, but now I had this huge bomb to drop on them. They could wait a few more minutes. While I sat there, girding the courage to make the next phone call, Less came out to check on me and my progress. It’s actually kinda nice to have one person be excited about this. She beckoned for me to stand, put her hands on me, bent over, and cooed over our new family member.
“Hey, little guy! I’m your aunt! When you’re able to talk, I’m gonna have lots of questions for you!”
