Alex and Mollie sat alone in their apartment, wondering if they had made the right decision. The couple sat on the couch in silence, barely glancing at each other. They hadn’t been like this when they were committing their little act of theft or custodial interference or whatever it was, but now that they were home and there was an extraterrestrial being snoozing away in their bed, the gravity of the situation was hitting them. The apartment was eerily quiet until their African Gray Parrot, started cackling.
“We should cover her up.” Mollie said, “That cackling’s going to scare the living daylights out of Charlie.”
“You know covering her up’s not going stop her.” Alex said flatly.
Biting back a sigh, Mollie stood up, walking off.
“Where are you going?” Alex asked, mildly bewildered.
“To check on Charlie.” Mollie answered, looking back as she walked, “We’re parents now. Kind of, anyway. It’s what we do.”
Deciding to take some initiative, Alex stood up and went for the cage cover. “Alright, Lucy Gray,” He said, “Time for bed.” As he draped the sheet over the cage, he realized, “And I’m talking to a parrot.”
#
Mollie walked into the bedroom to find that the cackling hadn’t awakened Charlie; the little guy was still fast asleep, on top of the covers draped with the wine-colored blanket they had brought the little boy home in. A beam of hall light hit just right, revealing the teal skin on his cheek.
Still wanting to make sure he was okay, Mollie stepped inside, shutting the door, and walking up to the bed. That was when she heard a soft moan as the child opened his eyes, revealing two gold-colored irises.
“Sorry.” Mollie told him slowly, not elaborating. Charlie’s grasp of English wasn’t that good yet. He could say the name they had given him and answer to it, her name, go, sleep, hungry, sorry, and no. Like many small children, he was very good at saying no, not so good at taking it for an answer. She also developed a pigeon system of hand signals and ASL to try to get bigger points across, at least until he had better vocabulary.
Of course, it would help in anyone understood his language. When their boss and the company lawyer brought the little guy in a little over a month before with no explanation, they had a lot of weird half- broken tech with them and not a universal translator in the bunch.
Charlie sat up, grasping his hands in the want sign and said, “Mollie.”
Almost immediately, Mollie pulled the child into her lap, softly singing “Yellow” by Coldplay. For whatever reason Charlie found that soothing.
#
The next morning, Charlie’s relationship with Lucy Gray was not getting off to a good start.
Even before the cover came off the cage, Lucy Gray was in a mood, squawking and doing that cackling she usually saved for freaking everyone out at night, spreading her wings as far as they would go and climbing up the cage wall.
As they walked through the living room, Charlie hid behind Mollie’s head, burying his face into her knee bend whimpering, “No.”
“It’s okay.” Mollie soothed, picking the teal-skinned foundling up, “Lucy’s bark is much, much worse than her bite. She just likes reminding us that African Grays are one of the most intelligent species of parrot.”
In the kitchen, Alex was pulling out three mason jars of overnight oats, colored white from their soak, topped with berries and nuts, sitting them on the table. Mollie walked in carrying Charlie, sitting him at the extra chair at the table.
“You know you’re going to spoil him if you keep carrying him everywhere like that.” Alex said, shooting his wife a mischievous little smirk.
That was when Mollie realized another problem; little Charlie couldn’t even reach the square yellow tabletop to get to the food, thought he was currently trying to do, stretching out his little hand and reaching for the spoon.
“I’ll be right back.” Mollie said, turning around to find some pillows or a book.
Once again Alex couldn’t help but grin as he doled out the portions into bowels. That was when the phone rang.
Mollie scrapped up a thick coffee table book and a throw pillow framed in red fringe, gathering them, and walking in the kitchen. “Okay, this will have to…” Her voice trailed off when she saw her husband on the phone, and realized it was already time to pay the piper.
#
“And where is the subject now?” Their boss, a woman dressed in a professional red, her dark brown hair done up in an increate chignon.
The couple were sitting in their employer’s office, across from the woman the company lawyer, an average looking man with short, thin brown hair dressed in a three -piece suit.
“That subject has a name—” Mollie spat out, “It’s Charlie—”
“He’s in the lab right now.” Alex cut in, “We always planed on bringing him back during the day, we just thought it would be better if he was housed elsewhere when he’s not being examined…”
“And you two took it on yourself to unilaterally make that decision?” Their boss cut them off snippily.
“Actually, Pauline, I think you should hear them out on this.” The lawyer spoke up, “I mean, Charlie wasn’t hurt, he’s back, we’ve pretty much got all samples we need, more or less. Dr. Banes –this Dr. Banes at least,” He pointed to Mollie, “Is around him everyday. It’s highly likely she knows of which she speaks.”
Mollie was surprised, but grateful that the lawyer seemed to be on their side.
Pauline glared at Mollie. “Well? We’re waiting Dr. Banes.”
“Respectfully Dr. Walsh.” Mollie began, suddenly unsure of herself, “While Charlie’s DNA holds great medical value, he’s still a young child and, with him in our custody, we are responsible for his development from any ethical perspective. From a scientific perspective this could be our only opportunity to observe his species development.”
“And we would both be qualified to monitor these observations.” Alex added in.
“And if he gets sick?” Pauline challenged, “We don’t know if he has the anti-bodies to fight off even a common cold.”
“Well, we found an enzyme in the samples we took that could very well cure the common cold, so…” Alex pointed out.
“Can you assure me he won’t run away?” Pauline challenged.
Mollie lost it a little at that. “He’s five! And stranded on a foreign planet where he speaks seven words of English. Where do you think he’s going to go?”
“You know what?” The lawyer said, standing up, “I think tensions are running a little high here, so why don’t we just all go about our day, Pauline, why don’t think about this, because I think both Dr. Barnes have made fair points, and we can revisit this once everyone’s calmed down.”
Pauline stiffened. “Alright.” She reluctantly agreed. “You’ll have my decision at the end of the day.”
#
Suffice it to say, no one had pleasant day. The whole laboratory was filled with a thick anxiety, waiting for a decision. Even Charlie seemed to sense it, just sitting on the table, silently swaying his legs while Mollie was filling out a report, clinging to the small plush green T-Rex like dinosaur. Someone had brought it in one day for Charlie, no one was quite sure who. Mollie wished she knew sometimes, so she could thank them. Despite her best efforts, life was too cold and harsh for Charlie here, and she thought the soft object did him some good, if only a bit.
Stepping away for a moment, she pulled the alien into a hug. “It’s going to be okay, little guy.” She assured him, willing herself to believe it, “We’ll figure something out.” She sat the boy on the ground. “Play for yourself for a minute while I finish this.” She instructed, accompanied with a series of hand signals.
Just the door was opened, and the company’s lawyer stepped in.
“Mr. Becker—” Mollie began, concerned about him not being sterilized.
“I know, I know, this is a sterile environment.” Mr. Becker said, “I just wanted to give you an update on the, um, let’s just go with the word situation. Now, I don’t want to give you false hope, but I’ve been talking to Pauline. I think I might have finally brought her around to your way of thinking.”
Mollie could feel hope rising in her really. “You’re serious?”
“I wouldn’t joke about something like this.” Mr. Becker told her firmly.
Even though she knew they weren’t out of the woods yet, relief washed over her. “Thank you, Mr. Becker.” She didn’t know why he was helping them; she had expected him to be on Pauline’s side, but she was grateful.
“You can thank me by taking care of the little guy.” Mr. Becker said, “Speaking of, which, if it’s okay, with you, I, ah, got him something.”
Mollie also wasn’t expecting that. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Mr. Becker confirmed, pulling a yellow rubber disk out of his suit jacket, “It’s got these bump things that you can press in and out, mind if I—”
Go ahead, just—no sudden movements.” Mollie advised, “He doesn’t always do well with strangers, he thinks they’re going to stick more needles in him, I think.”
Mr. Becker nodded his understanding, before walking over to Charlie crouching down so he wasn’t towering over the boy and handing it out, softly saying, “Here, buddy. I brought you something.”
Charlie reached out taking the disk and examining it inquisitively pressing in a few of the bumps.
“That’s it,” Mr. Becker began, “There you go.” He ran his fingers through Charlie’s dark hair before walking out again.
Mollie froze a moment, trying to process what had just happened, then walked over to Charlie, crouching down with smile. “You like that?”
#
The Barnes didn’t know what Mr. Becker did, but it worked.
That night they were walked through the door, Charlie again in Mollie’s arms, a hood covering up his…nonconformities. Namely his teal skin. “You know, we might need to consider getting a bigger place.” Alex said, watching his wife set their new charge down and helping him with his coat, “Something with two bedrooms. He’s going to need it.”
“We could just keep co-sleeping.” Mollie suggested, walking into the apartment as her husband locked the door, “It worked last night.”
“He’s only going to get bigger.” Alex reasoned, “Well, probably.” In truth, his species development was still a mystery to them, for obvious reasons. Still, until they knew otherwise, they had to assume he was going to keep growing. He’s going to need his own room.”
Mollie didn’t say anything, looking around for a minute. They had lived in this apartment since they got married. It was their space.
“Look, we knew taking this on would require a few changes.” Alex reasoned, “What was it you said last night? We’re parents now. It’s what we do.”
Mollie knew she was right. “Okay,” She smiled, “We can start looking for houses over the weekend.” She was grateful that Alex was being so supportive of this. Willing to be her partner in this.
Alex leaned in, giving Mollie a chase kiss, when Lucy Gray started squawking in her cage, rattling it with her feet, causing Charlie to whimper.
“Hey,” Alex said, crouching down, “It’s okay. Come here—”
Lucy Gray’s tantrum got louder, and so did the rattle. Charlie ran behind Mollie’s leg, reaching out and saying,” Mollie.”
Mollie picked him up again, cuddling him. That was when she saw the hurt look on her husband’s face. “He’s just spent more time with me. That’s all. You two will bond soon enough.”
#
That weekend, Mollie was on the floor with Charlie, showing him flash cards and pointing to the pictures in an attempt to teach him the words, while Alex was on his laptop, looking at potential houses. Flashcards were a two people activity, and Mollie was still the favored guardian.
There was a knock at the door. “I’ll get it.” Alex declared, setting the laptop on the glossy, dark resin coffee table, and standing up.
“Thanks, babe.” Mollie called out.
After checking the keyhole, Alex opened the door, revealing Mr. Becker, dressed in casual clothes, and holding a large box.
As part of the agreement they had reached with Pauline, Mr. Becker would be stopping in regularly to check on the situation. This was his first visit.
“Hey,” Alex greeted him, his eyes going to the package is in the lawyer’s hand, “Ah, what’s with the box?”
“Oh, ah, just some things for the little one.” Mr. Becker explained, “I mean, I’m sure you prepared—”
“Not as much as we should have.” Alex admitted, “Come on, they’re in here.”
He led the other man until the living room, where Mollie and Charlie sat between the coffee table and the sofa. “Honey, Mr. Becker’s here.”
Mollie adjusted her legs, looking up. “Oh, hey.” She looked towards Charlie, pointing to
Mr. Becker. “What do we say?”
“Hello!” Charlie greeted him with a little wave.
“Hey, there little guy.” Mr. Becker responded crouching down in front of the tot before turning to Mollie, “How much does he…”
“I think he knows it’s some kind of greeting but that’s about it.” Mollie explained, “Children tend to learn to languages faster than adults, though it doesn’t take that much for children to have stimulating conversation, and of course there’s the issue of slang, and of course we don’t have any understanding of his language so I can’t directly translate for him. “After a beat she surmised, “It’s hit and miss. But I do believe he’s learning at faster rate than he did at the lab. He just learned how to identify all these animals.”
While they talked, Charlie curiously crawled over to the box, putting half of his little body in and pulling out a plush dog reminiscence of a beagle, “Dog!”
“Well, he certainly knows what a dog is.” Mr. Becker quipped, “Yeah, I ah, brought some my kids’ old things that were just sitting in the attic. The only thing is all my kids are all girls, so…”
That was when it all clicked into place. “It was you, wasn’t it?”
“You’re going to have to be more specific, doctor.” Mr. Becker said, standing up.
“You’re the one who brought the dinosaur for Charlie.” Mollie elaborated, not so much a question as it was a statement of fact.
“The lab wasn’t much of a nursery.” Mr. Becker said, seeing no point in denying it, “Call it my way of helping out.”
#
The stuffed dog Mr. Becker left had a surprise of its own: Three little plastic and cloth puppies, stored inside its stomach. Charlie took to those immediately, examining them intently, turning them repeatedly in his hands and squeezing them.
While Charlie engaged in this activity, Alex was at his laptop again, his eyes going to the little boy on the floor. An idea forming, he set in aside and crawled onto the floor, his heart pounding faster in his chest.
Despite Mollie’s assurances, Alex and Charlie just weren’t bonding. He tried giving the child space but also trying to interact with him when he could, but somehow, he always managed to do exactly the wrong thing.
But hopefully this wouldn’t be one of those times.
“Hey, Charlie,” He said softly, “I want to show you something.” He slowly picked up one of the puppies.
“No!” Charlie cried out.
“Okay, okay.” Alex dropped the toy like it was radioactive, slowly crawling away with his hands in front of them. Then he got another idea. Pointing to the toy, he said, “One.”
“One?” Charlie repeated, looking at his foster father quizzically.
“One.” Alex repeated, holding up one finger. Then he pointed at the second dog with two fingers, saying, “Two.”
“Tw-o.” Charlie repeated, “T-w-o.” He stared at the third dog waiting to hear what it would be.
“Th-r-ee.” Alex said, careful to sound it out as he held out a third finger.
Charlie seemed to be getting it now. “One, two, three!” He held out his fingers, just as Alex did.
“There you go, buddy.” Alex grinned, clapping his hands excitedly, causing Charlie to beam.
#
“This isn’t going to work.” Alex said, standing outside the bathroom.
“We’ll never know if we won’t try.” Mollie called back from the bathroom, crouching in front of Charlie who was sitting on the toilet, wiggling a little but still letting Mollie smear the creamy beige liquid onto his face.
“Stay still, please” Mollie instructed, making a hand signal along with it.
Charlie, still allowing Mollie to finish her work, smoothing out the foundation. If it weren’t for his eyes, he would look like a normal human boy, if a bit pale.
“Wow.” Mollie said, outload. This might actually work.
Ten minutes later, Mollie came out with Charlie in her arms, all visible skin covered with Mollie’s foundation, his eyes covered with sunglasses, and his fingernails covered with different colored bandages.
“I figure we can try contacts when he gets older.” Mollie explained, “And if anyone asks, he has a nail-biting problem we’re working on. So, how does he look.”
“Like he’s ready for his first day out.” Alex replied, before going to get Charlie’s coat.
#
One week and a lot of paperwork later, the family pulled into the driveway of an off-white ranch style house with a red SOLD sign in front of it. “And we’re here.” Alex announced from the driver’s seat. He stepped out of the car then turned around, “I’ll start getting the boxes, you get the kid?”
“Sure,” Mollie agreed, opening the minivan.
They had left Lucy Gray with Alex’s sister while they were moving everything into the new place. Fifteen minutes into the move, they wished they had left Charlie with her too.
“A little slower.” Alex said, pulling the leather chesterfield through the door.
I don’t think I can go any slower.” Mollie said.
Suddenly Alex felt like his fingers might break. “Mollie, my fingers!”
Charlie looked up from where he was playing with his dinosaur, sat it down and walked over. “Help?”
“It’s alright, buddy.” Alex said, we got this.
“I Help!” Charlie said running between Alex’s legs, causing the man to buckle.
“No, no, no!” Alex shouted, at the couch titled.
“Charlie, stop!” Mollie shouted.
Charlie froze, realizing he had been bad.
“Let’s just put this here for a minute, let me deal with this.” Mollie requested.
“Sure.” Alex agreed as they lowered the couch.
Mollie crouched down, grabbing the boy by the arms and pulling him in, “You do not do that. Someone could’ve got hurt.”
“Sorry.” Charlie said, looking down.
“Hey,” Mollie soothed, “We still love you, we just—need you to me more careful, alright?”
Charlie nodded and Mollie stood up, going back to work.
#
Hour later Charlie was in his new room, putting up his toys in the box they had gotten for him, when Mollie stepped into check on him. “You’re doing such a good job on your toys.” She beamed.
Charlie turned around smiling. “Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome.” Mollie said, taking him by the hand. “Now come on, time for dinner.”
#
It started sometime after they went to bed. As the thunder cracked, Alex stirred, feeling someone watching them. He raised up and saw Charlie standing at the floor.
“Alex.” The tot said, reaching out reaching out his hands.
Alex began to pull Charlie into the bed when it hit him. “What did you just say?”
“Alex.” Charlie repeated.
Alex began shoving on Mollie’s arm to wake her, “Honey, honey, wake up.”
Mollie rose up in bed with a soft gasp, still half-asleep. “What?”
“Charlie just said my name.” He explained.
That got Mollie awake. “He what?”
“He just said by name.” Alex beamed.
“Oh my gosh, this is great!” Mollie exclaimed.
“I want Mollie!” Charlie said, “And Alex.”
“Right, we should probably get him in and back to sleep.” Alex said.
They laid the boy down between them, Mollie humming ‘Yellow’. Soon all three of them went back to sleep.