“I’m sorry, Targon, I know. It’s very hard to stay awake during those hours. My body clock takes over.”
“Quit your whining, Kiel! If you do this one more time, you’ll be reassigned!”
“Yes, sir. I understand. It won’t happen again.”
“Now find out who this Bush is and what kind of trouble he is starting. I’m getting conflicting reports from all of the agents.”
“Acknowledged. They’re here. I gotta go.”
“Carry on.”
#
“John, grab the rest of the groceries, would you?” Rose called over her shoulder as she unlocked the door. “Sheila, get to your room, and do your homework. I’ll be up to check on your progress later.”
John set down the groceries on the kitchen table. “Thanks, John. Now feed the cats. Dinner is at seven, so make sure you’re back before then.”
“What’s for dinner?” asked John.
“Red snapper, red potatoes, and asparagus.”
“Can I eat at Bobby’s?”
“No way, buster. You’re not going to impose on them every time you don’t like what we’re having for dinner.”
“Come on, Mom. You know I hate fish!”
“John, you hate so many things we’d be eating macaroni and cheese, lasagna, hot dogs, hamburgers, or pizza every night if we left it up to you.”
“Sounds good to me.” He beamed his best "I'm too cute to stay mad at" face" at his mother.
“Feed the cat!”
John trudged over to the pantry, and grabbed the cat food while muttering something under his breath.
#
The utterly salty, stale, chalky food hit the bowl with a chorus of pings and several pieces landed on the floor.
Rose was practically a blur as she put the groceries away, got dinner going and checked her phone for messages. I don’t know why she bothers. She never calls anyone back. She seems very upset. She gets like this around every full moon. I still haven’t figured that one out.
That fish sure does smell good. Wish I were eating with them.
After my horrible meal (field rations would be tastier!), I darted up the stairs to see what Sheila was listening to. Most of her music was pretty good. Uh oh, here comes John up the stairs. Which way do I go to avoid him? He’s stepped on me more than once.
Whoa, that was close!
Sheila doesn't seem to be doing her homework. She seems to be playing video games. Rose will be angry if she finds out. The best vantage point is here on the bed. It is so soft and warm. And the music is very hypnotic. No! I musn't fall asleep! I’ll have to stay busy or get up and follow Rose around and hope she doesn't step on me. I’ve never combed my hair so much in all of my life.
The next thing I knew I was waking up with convulsions. Not again! I don’t know how much more of this I can take! Here it comes. Yuck! How nasty! I raced down the stairs unimpeded and drank some water.
#
“Mom, have you noticed how much Charlie stares at us lately?" John asked at dinner. "It’s getting kind of spooky. He always knows what’s going to happen next, too, like he understands what we’re saying.”
“Oh, John, you've been watching too much X-files.”
“ There’s something else. He never kills any mice or chases any birds. I’ve never once seen him lick his butt, either!”
“We’re eating! How disgusting. Who wants to watch him do that anyway? Be glad you haven’t been privileged with that sight.”
Oh, merciful moon beams! I had hoped that they wouldn’t notice. I should get hazard pay for this job! Why did we have to disguise ourselves as cats? I’ll die before I lick my butt!
After dinner, John wrestled with me, and I must admit I left my claws out on purpose. He swatted me, and would have thrown me across the room if he could have caught me. When they were all watching an inane program on the television, I sat in my usual spot on the back of the couch. John began staring at me. Oh, shit! Please, no! I just have to do it. It’s like jumping in the cold lake as opposed to putting one toe in first. Well, only in the sense that you can’t think about it for too long. I’d much rather jump in a cold lake...even as a cat!
#
And then Kiel Daredu, super agent from Kloklac, made the supreme sacrifice. Rather than blow his cover, he closed his eyes and …. eewwww! …licked his butt.
Terrans who think the lives of undercover agents are glamorous have watched too much James Bond and lack the knowledge of shape shifting.
Copyright April 4, 2003 Ann Wilkes