New to Space Traveler Fargone? Start at the beginning
“Come on, Lenny. You know you have it bad for that dame at the diner,” Harold said.
“Her name is Heelan,” Leonard stated.
“Yeah, yeah, Heelan. The point is, you both looked like school kids making goo-goo eyes at each other. Why not stay here and see where that goes? Even if it doesn’t work out, we will still get to live on a beautiful planet with friendly people.”
“I don’t know. I kind of wanted to see the canyon planet.”
“You are my best friend, and I would hate to see you go, but my mind is made up. I want to stay.”
“What if they don’t want you to stay?”
“I can’t imagine anyone objecting,” Drooba said. “And you would be helping me out. I would be happy to hire both of you to work at the donut shop.”
“There you go,” Harold said.
“There is a lot to consider. How about we go to the park and discuss it as a group?” I said.
“That seems like a smart course of action,” Drooba said. Everyone agreed. So we made our way back to the surface.
“I will be back at the donut shop if you need me,” Reelan said.
“Thank you, Reelan,” Em said.
We walked through the park outside of town and sat at a picnic table.
“What are your thoughts, Leonard?” I asked.
“I do like it here. I suppose I am just a little unsettled after our escape from Mallentia. I don’t know what to think.”
A woman walked over and put a cherry pie on the table.
“Excuse me for interrupting. I normally make a pie each park day. But this morning, I had a feeling that I needed to make two. When I saw your group sit down, I knew why I had made the extra pie. To share. I would be delighted if you would take the pie. I would hate for it to go to waste.”
“That is very kind of you,” Leonard said.
“It won’t go to waste. I promise you that,” Harold said.
We all thanked the woman. Then she smiled and walked away.
“See that? People here are nice,” Harold said.
“It is appealing. But I know from experience, if something seems to be too good to be real, it usually is,” I stated.
“That’s your Human nature speaking,” Em said. “They are not Humans. They may not have our selfish nature.”
“I am just being cautious.”
Flow shared her opinion. “I have experience with hundreds of biological species, and there many that have a communal view of life. They put the community before themselves. Perhaps the Parcum are that way. They certainly needed centuries of cooperation to create their underground,”
“Or forced labor,” I said.
“I haven’t seen anything to suggest that,” Flow replied.
A bird flew down and landed on the picnic table.
“Perhaps, I can be of assistance in this discussion,” the bird said. “I am Glid.”
“A talking bird!” Harold exclaimed.
“Correct,” Glid replied. “Excuse me for listening in on your conversation. I am afraid we Flitters are overly curious, and I simply couldn’t resist listening from the tree branches. You are the first visitors we have had from space, in my recollection.”
“I am pleased to meet you, Glid,” I said and introduced everyone.
“Did you have some insight to add to the conversation?” Flow asked Glid.
“Indeed, I do. The Parcum are a friendly and caring people. There was a time before the Parcum moved underground when Flitters were in danger of extinction. Overcrowding had shrunk our livable forest to dangerous levels, and the Parcum were facing a similar fate. They gathered their brightest citizens together and formulated the plan for the underground. They thought not only of themselves. They also devised the park forests to give Flitters a place to live. The bushes that divide the park provide the berries we need to live.
“The Parcum never asked for anything in return. But we gladly act as messengers delivering messages between towns. We also gather berries that are used in pies and jam. It is our way of repaying their kindness. In my experience, the Parcum are the noblest of the species on Parcum.”
“Thank you, Glid. That is very helpful,” Flow said.
“It was my pleasure. Now I must excuse myself. Teelan and Beelan have just arrived, and I have become quite addicted to their talks.”
I laughed. We all said goodbye, and Glid flew away.
“Well, I have to admit, Glid was convincing. The decision is yours. If either of you chose to remain, I understand why. And I will wish you well. I am also happy for you to accompany us for six weeks until we can take you to the Canyon Planet. Your choice.”
“What do you say, Lenny?” Harold asked.
“Ah. Who would I grumble to if I left you here? I’ll stay.”
“Whoo-hoo! You won’t regret it.”
“We’ll see.”
“I am happy for you. If I wasn’t living my dream, I would be tempted to join you,” I said.
“I am going to miss you both,” Em said.
“Don’t make Lenny cry,” Harold replied.
“You’ll be the one crying when I pop your nose,” Leonard said.
Harold laughed.
Just then, two bunnies hopped up on the bench next to Em.
“Bunnies!”
We returned to the donut shop. Drooba was there. Leonard and Harold told him of their decision to stay on Parcum, and Drooba offered them jobs. He also volunteered to find them a place to stay. We said our goodbyes and returned to Rustbucket. Many town folk came along to see a spaceship and watch us leave.
“Well, I suppose we should pick a new destination,” I said.
“My turn,” Em said.
And so she did.