Yes.  Another "Captured By Aliens" Story

A Title Goes Here.  Boo.

By Thelma Mary Caroline

We all sit around the table at Thursday's.  You on your side, next to Hai, and me and Sheila on the other.

It's really your table, no one else ever sits in the corner.  Maybe that's why.

After awhile, you get up and go talk to your friends.  Hai can hardly believe that they're here -- she says that with her eyes.

I don't recognize the two men; you always knew everybody there was.

"This is Harry and Brian," you tell Sheila.

"Nice to meet you," Sheila says.

"Oh, no.  Most assuridly, the pleasure is mine."

She studies the two, as she's apt to do.  Harry is a tall man, with no hair on his head and a large beard.  He has a slight Russian accent.  Brian is much younger, but not less than forty.  He, at least, has hair.

The two grab chairs and sit at the table.  Brian has hardly sat down when he jumps up, offering to get everyone drinks.  I'm sure he and Harry are like you and Hai.  Maybe I'm lucky to not be caught up in that drama.

Slowly, more people come and sit at the table.  More and more people are pulling up chairs, but it doesn't really feel crowded.  Every time all of us get together, this happens.  And I don't understand how.

But everybody's talking quietly among themselves.

"Yo, everybody," you say.  "I have an annoucement to make!"

Everybody is quiet.

"This is Sheila.  She's Kade's ... what are you guys?  Is she your girlfriend?"

I can't help but smile.  As though the world's going to stop if you use the wrong word.

"So anyway, she's cool.  Just letting you guys know.  Go back to talking among yourselves."