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“For humans, maybe.”

“I am human!”  I spun toward him exasperatedly.  He wore a
teasing grin.  Seeing his pointy teeth didn’t bother me as much today.  I
rolled my eyes in return.

Standing close, he reached around me and painlessly pulled
the hair-tie from my hair.  He held the tie out to me.  Curious what he was up
to, I took it.

“Won’t work with the helmet.”  He grabbed the helmet from
the seat and placed it carefully on my head.

While he did that, I noticed the snow piled on the ground…
everywhere except the sidewalk and driveway.

“What’s that face for?” he asked just before tapping the
visor into place.

“I’m feeling guilty for oversleeping.  I should have been up
to help shovel.”

He straddled the bike, starting it immediately, and held out
his hand.  “I didn’t mind.”

“You did this?”  I clasped his arm and got on behind him. 
He nodded as he pulled my arms around his waist.  I couldn’t say more because
he revved the motorcycle swiftly pulling away.

Although the plow had been through, a thin layer of snow
still coated the road.  Fearing what an icy patch could do to us, I tightened
my grip around his waist and closed my eyes.  The stomach-churning ride lasted
a few short minutes before he parked in front of the Coffee Shop.  He’d
maneuvered the roads expertly, but my legs still felt weak when I climbed off
the back.  He didn’t wait for me to try extracting myself from the helmet, but
helped right away giving me a chance to calm down.

He’d parked right in front of the picture window, and I
caught Mona doing a double take once the helmet came off.  I waved and
hurriedly pulled my hair back, securing it once again with the hair tie.

“Thanks for the ride.”

“Not a problem.  I’ll be back later.”  He started the bike
again, but I didn’t wait to see him leave.  I hurried inside.  The fresh brewed
aroma of roasted coffee welcomed me as did the few patrons already seated
sipping their morning delight.

“Sorry, I’m late Mona.  I overslept.”  I moved behind the
counter and checked the coffee pots, starting another regular.

“You’re right on time.”  She laughed at me as I opened the
side door to rid myself of outdoor accessories.

I glanced at the clock in disbelief.  He’d really done it. 
I didn’t have a chance to think about it more as a wave of customers poured in.

Between rushes, Mona quizzed me on the “hottie with a crazy
streak.”  I wasn’t the only one who thought a motorcycle in winter weird.  She
said it made him dangerous and more compelling.  I wondered if Morik had an age
limit for companions.  Mona sure seemed interested.  Besides, it wasn’t as if
she was older than he was.  While I waited on customers, I tried to think of a
tactful way to ask him.

Morik walked in a little before noon.  Covered with cap and
dark sunglasses, he approached the counter without sending the patrons
screaming.  I couldn’t hold back my smile thinking of the chaos that would
cause.

Mona, recognizing him from earlier, stepped aside so I could
wait on him.  She took the coffee pots around the room for those with the
bottomless cup.

“What can I get for you?” I asked.  When he said he would
see me later, I hadn’t thought it would be a public appearance.

He returned my smile.  “The coffee any good?”

“Like the coffee; love the sandwiches.”

His lips twitched and he ordered the bottomless cup with one
of Mona’s specialty sandwiches.  He didn’t linger at the counter after he
ordered.  Instead, he found a table and sat sipping his coffee while Mona came
back to make his sandwich.

I delivered his food, but couldn’t stay.  We were in the
middle of our lunch rush.  Within thirty minutes, most of the tables would
empty.  Until they did, Mona and I took turns at the counter and running
refills.

Mona caught me behind the counter during a breather.  “Black
nail polish?  I would have never pictured you with a bad boy.”

My eyes shot to Morik, but with those sunglasses on, I
couldn’t tell if we held his attention or not.  “We’re friends,” I mumbled
quietly.

She smiled knowingly, but wisely said nothing.  There wasn’t
time.  We faced the last rush together.  Morik never moved.  When the clock
struck one, Mona didn’t comment on his presence, just flipped the sign to
‘closed’ and took the tip jar to the back.  Taking the washcloth and sanitizer,
I started the processes of closing down.

“You like working here.”  His voice carried in the now quiet
shop.  It wasn’t a question but a statement of fact.  I nodded anyway.  “Why?”

“What’s not to like?  I love the smells, the people are
nice, and Mona’s a great boss.  Plus I get paid.”  I moved to wipe down his
table.  He surrendered his empty cup.

Mona walked into the room saying, “Of course I’m a great
boss!  I can’t afford to lose another employee to crappy wages.”

She handed me a few folded bills, the outer one a single.  I
tucked it into my pocket and finished wiping the table.

“Get her out of here now.  She’s worked enough for today,”
she smiled at Morik not commenting on his hat or glasses.

He smiled in return and stood.  “Yes ma’am.”

I left Mona to tease Morik while I grabbed my things.  If
only she knew what those glasses hid… would she still tease him?

Outside, the sun had melted the snow from the roads. 
Relieved, I willingly ducked into the helmet and climbed on back the
motorcycle.  It still chilled me to ride, but at least our chances of crashing
were lower.

On our way home, I thought of my plans for the rest of the
day.  No matter what I did, I’d ask Morik to help me sleep tonight.  Another
night tossing and turning didn’t appeal to me.

At home, the garage’s bay door stood open, it’s dim cavern
empty.  Puzzled, I wondered who had left.  Usually, we spent Saturdays
together.  Last Saturday had been a welcomed oddity, but two Saturdays in a
row?  It didn’t make sense.

I managed to tug the helmet off without hurting myself as
Morik kicked the stand into place.  “Do you want to come in?  I’m not sure who
is home.”

“Just your Aunt Danielle.”  He joined me on the sidewalk
after placing the helmet on the seat.

“I was wondering… if Aunt Danielle died at seventeen, why
does she look Gran’s age?”  We walked slowly to the front door.

“The same reason she’s still here.  They’re linked.  One
soul in two bodies.  When your Gran passes, so will Danielle.”

It made me sad just thinking about it.  I couldn’t imagine
my life without all of them.  Mom once told me that after she and dad had me,
they lived on their own for a bit.  After he passed away, she’d brought me back
to Gran’s house.  Aunt Grace had already lived there then, her own husband
gone.  It’s just what they did when a husband died.  They banded together to
protect their children as best they could.

Lost in thought, I opened the door.  Morik followed me in.

“’Bout time someone came home.  It’s boring without
company,” Aunt Danielle called from her chair more animated now that she’d
exposed her secret.

“Where is everyone?” I asked while shedding my mittens and
scarf.

“Your mom went to the office.  Grace and your Gran walked to
the store a little while ago.”

“I’m going to change real quick,” I said to Morik.

He nodded and looked at my Aunt.  “If you’d like, I can join
you.”  She nodded with a grin.  Removing his cap and glasses, he moved to sit
by her.

I left them to visit.  Checking my pocket, I put the folded
twenty-six dollars with the rest of the tip money I saved.  I’d been honest
with Morik.  I couldn’t have asked for a better job.  If things don’t go as I
hoped, at least I’d have a job to help support me after my nameless husband died. 
Annoyed with my turn of thoughts, I focused on the present.

After changing, I used the phone in my mom’s room to call
Beatriz.

“Sorry I didn’t call sooner.  I have free time tonight if
you still wanted to do something.”  I spoke quietly not yet sure where Morik
fit into my plans.

“Sure.  My parents just left and my brother is making
calls.  There will be a lot of people here.  You’ll have a blast.”  She rattled
off her address and suggested I show up after dark.

A party?  I’d thought it would be just the two of us.

Hanging up the phone, I glanced at the address.  No parents,
so there would be drinking.  It could work for me and for Morik.  No one would
find a guy with a cap and sun glasses out of place.  They probably wouldn’t
even notice his horns or eyes without the cover if they had enough to drink. 
We could mingle with other people and I could watch him.  Not only would I be
spending time with him getting to know him better, but I’d also be close if he
shows interest in someone.  My mom couldn’t object because it presented me an
opportunity so search out my choice.

Decided, I looked at the clock.  Now what would we do for
the next few hours?

As soon as I walked back into the living room, the quiet
conversation between Morik and Danielle stopped.  They both turned to look at
me though I didn’t make any sound.  I felt as though I’d interrupted something,
but Morik stood and joined me, watching me expectantly.  I wondered if he’d
somehow heard my end of the phone conversation.

“I was invited to a party tonight.  Would you like to come
with?  We could watch a movie here until it’s time to go.”

“I’ll stay for the movie and give you a ride to the party,
but I don’t think I’ll join you.”

“Alright,” I agreed, hiding my disappointment.  How would I
match him up with other people if he didn’t mingle with them?

Aunt Danielle suggested a movie we had.  Morik obligingly
started it for us while I settled on the couch.  I had a whole movie to come up
with a plan…

Two hours later, I scowled at the rolling credits.  Stupid
movie had distracted me from my plotting.  I’d gotten nowhere.  Gran and Aunt
Grace, who’d arrived home mid-movie, had joined us in the living room after
quietly putting away groceries.

Looking over at Morik, who reclined on the other end of the
couch, I asked again.  “Are you sure you don’t want to come with?  There’s
going to be a lot of people there.  You’ll blend in fine.”

“What are you up to?” Gran asked from a nearby chair.

Aunt Grace turned off the movie.  I had the room’s
attention.

“Beatriz from school invited me over.  Her brother’s home
from college and is inviting a bunch of his friends over.”  Gran said nothing,
but I could tell by her expression that she didn’t think my going was a good
idea.  “Where’s mom?  Isn’t it a little late to be working?”

“She should be home soon.  We’ll start dinner.  You two go
find something to do,” Gran said making shooing motions toward Morik and me
with her hands.

Smiling, I turned to Morik.  “Let’s go to my room.”  He
nodded his expression neutral.

At times, I could easily read his thoughts or feelings.  Why
did he sometimes mask it?  Or maybe it wasn’t masking.  Maybe when he showed
emotion, he made an effort to do so.  After all, he did say he didn’t interact
with humans much.

In my room, I went straight for the desk and the incomplete
puzzle.  “You must see pretty well in the dark, huh?”

Focused on finding a piece, I half-listened to him follow me
in.  The snick of the closing door caught my attention and I looked back at
him.  He ignored my look and joined me at the puzzle.  Without hesitating, he
started placing pieces.

“Have you done this one before?”

“Yes, I can see in the dark.  No, I haven’t done this one
before,” he said answering my questions in order.

“How are you finding them so fast?” I leaned close to watch
him, studying his eyes as he searched for and placed the right pieces.

Spirals of bright green, tiny bits of color, flared in his
irises each time he found the piece he wanted.  When he placed the piece, the
green faded into silver, notably the primary color of his iris.  Other colors
danced in the silver pools, but the green caught my attention because it
happened consistently.  I wondered what it meant.

A sudden swirl of violet took me by surprise.  I couldn’t
help but watch it flow around in the liquid silver background.  Before it could
fade, green and brown strands joined it.  It took a moment for me to realize
he’d stopped looking at the puzzle and instead faced me with an amused
expression.  I couldn’t look away.

“Your eyes are amazing to watch,” I said without thinking. 
A blush immediately infused my cheeks.  I hoped he didn’t read anything into
what I’d said.  “What do the different colors mean?”

“I don’t know.  You’ll have to tell me when they change.” 
He went back to finding puzzle pieces still looking amused by my attention.

My mom called out from the kitchen distracting me.  Not
wanting Gran to tell mom about my plans before I could, I hurried to her,
leaving Morik to follow me if he wanted.

Walking into the kitchen, I asked where she’d been idly
curious.  She didn’t look like she’d been working all morning and afternoon. 
Her hair was still neat.  Usually after work, her hair had little twisty
spirals in it.  She curled it around her fingers when lost in thought.

“Don’t be nosey Tessa,” she said a bit more abruptly than I
thought the question warranted.

“Sorry,” I immediately apologized.  “Beatriz invited me to
her house tonight.  I planned on leaving after dinner and back by ten.”  Given
the curfews I heard my peers mention, I didn’t think ten unreasonable. 
“Beatriz’s brother’s home so there will be a lot of people there.”  More people
meant more guys, which meant more options… something my mom would like.

My mom didn’t answer me, but looked past me to Morik. 
“Morik, I don’t want to subject you to a conversation that might lead to an
argument.”

He nodded respectfully to my mom and then looked at me.  “I
will be outside if you decide to go.”  He moved past me and out the door before
I could say anything, grabbing his jacket along the way.