Confusing Earth - Chapter 30: Curious

birchmark (59)in #fiction • 6 years ago

Links to earlier chapters below this chapter!
Please consider commenting, upvoting or resteeming this post if you enjoy the chapter

Chapter 30: Curious

Nathan collapsed on a recliner in the lounge. It had taken forever to clean up that kitchen mess. Max and Maree followed him, Max carrying Liam. Max and Maree plopped onto other couches, with Liam on Max’s lap.
“I still say it was a delicious mess” insisted Maree, licking her fingers.
“What was a delicious mess?” asked Jack’s voice from the other couch in the lounge. Although Jack was in plain sight, Nathan had quite forgotten he was there. Then he remembered what Jack thought they had to do together. He glanced up at the TV and was relieved to see it was now turned off. He glanced down at his phone for a moment and pressed a few buttons.
“Anyway Nathan” continued Jack, realising no one was going to answer his question, “I think I need you to help me reproduce.”
“No you don’t” said Nathan, “That was a form of sex but it is not possible to reproduce that way.”
“Then what do we do? If you are not the other participant then who is?” asked Jack.
Nathan looked awkwardly from Bella to Jack.
“Bella” said Nathan, “It can be any adult female but you are married to Bella so it is her. Sex isn’t something you do with just anyone.”
Bella and Jack looked at each other. Nathan’s phone rang.
“I’d better take this” he said, standing up. He went into the other room.

They were at the library. Nathan decided the least painful way to explain all of this to Bella and Jack was to get them a biology textbook explaining it. He also grabbed “What to expect when you’re expecting” and “Where did I come from?” as they explain the possible follow on from the deed he didn’t want to think about Bella and Jack doing. Nathan led Bella and Jack to a table. He found the part of the biology textbook they would need and opened it. He then dropped the other books down on the table.
“I’m going to go and check on the kids now” he said, leaving them to their reading.

Nathan walked over to the children’s section where Max, Maree and Liam were perusing the books. This was the last section they had come to when searching the library. Maree already had a book on dogs, a novel about war, a science fiction novel about aliens and a newspaper. Max had a novel and a cartoon drawing book. Liam had nothing but started to point at a picture book on the shelf. Max, who was carrying him, grabbed the book. It was Green Eggs and Ham. Max looked it over and said, “Green eggs and ham by Dr Seuss. Would you like me to read it to you Liam?” Liam nodded.

Nathan watched from the edge of the children’s section as Max sat down on a cushion with Liam and read him the book. By the end, it was clear Max and Liam were moved by the story.
“So wise” said Max, “This creature in the story, already at his home, not in a foreign place like us, wouldn’t try something for no real reason and then he tried it and he loved it. It shows we really should try things we haven’t tried before as we don’t know if we do or don’t like things until we try it.”
Liam nodded.
“It wasn’t nice of Sam I Am to try to force him” said Max, “But Sam I Am unlike our controlling organisation was trying to make him do something good for him because he would like it. It’s a curious thought. I guess it wasn’t really force, the other guy made the choice in the end. Sam I Am just encouraged him to do it a lot and was a bit annoying to him.”
Max stood up, holding onto Liam.
“I’m going to try something I haven’t done before” he announced, “I’m not going to try to fight with her meat head ex-boyfriend but I’m going to ask Sara out when I am at school again. I have been too scared thinking I might not like asking because she might say no or her ex might fight me again but I’m going to do it. I’m going to ask her out on a date.” Liam gave Max a thumbs up.

Nathan coughed. Max and Liam looked up to see him standing there.
“How long have you been there?” asked Max.
“Long enough” said Nathan, “Really sweet the way you read to Liam and good on you for what you just said you are going to do. It shows you have guts.”
“Of course I have guts” said Max, “It might not be the technical term but guts are part of what a human is made out of.” Nathan sighed audibly.

“No, saying you have guts means you are brave” said Nathan, “That is very brave of you to confess your feelings.”
“Oh” said Max, “Thanks Nathan.”
Jack’s voice travelled across the library. Nathan and Max could hear it in the children’s section.
“Oh so that's how it works” said Jack loudly.
Nathan decided it was a good idea to leave now as they were talking loudly and he wasn't sure if they'd started talking about in Jack's words, "how it works".
“Come on” said Nathan to Max, Liam and Maree.
“What?”
“Let’s go, those two can finish the book at my place. I’ll borrow it. Come on"
Nathan borrowed the books and soon they were on their way back to Nathan’s place.