"Pickles ‘n Ice Cream"
A Sci-Fi Flash Fiction
by Linda Mooney
Favan
slapped the side of the hovercraft with a sense of relief. “Thank you for
letting me know it is ready, and we can put it back into service.” He turned to
face the technician. “Program it to run the E7 quadrant. There has been a surge
of renewed activity in that area.”
The tech
acknowledged him and left to perform the task. The Andeston turned to go back
inside the command center, when his communicator went off. Hitting the button
of the device resting inside his ear, he answered the call.
“This is
Favan Ov’Tak.”
“And this
is Dia Malloy,” a beloved voice responded. “I’m just checking in to see when
you think you’ll be heading for home.” As it always did, the sound of her
reverberated inside his head with warm, soothing tones.
“Soon. We
managed to get another hovercraft functioning again. I need to inform Colonel
Vermyzer, then I can leave.”
“Will you
be able to run a quick errand before you get here?”
“I can.
What do you need?”
“Can you
stop by the market and get some ice cream?”
He stopped
in midstride. “Get what?”
“Some ice
cream. There’s a new flavor I just saw advertised called ‘Pickles ‘n Ice Cream.’
You know how much I love pickles, and I’d like to try it. If you can, get the
sweet pickle one, not the dill.”
Favan
nodded to himself. “Got it. Pickles and ice cream. That should not be too hard
to remember.”
“Thanks,
lover. See you soon!”
He closed
their link and continued for the colonel’s office. Announcing himself at the
entrance, he was ushered into the command bay where he found the officer over
by the 3D grid display.
Vermyzer
gave him a nod to acknowledge his presence. “I hope you have good news for me,
Favan.”
“The Uman
series hovercraft has been repaired and cleared for takeoff. I ordered it to be
sent to the E7 quadrant.”
“Thanks.
That’s very good news.” The man checked the chronometer overhead. “You’ve put in an
extra-long day. Isn't it time you headed for home?”
“I wanted
to let you know before I left,” Favan informed him. “But I have one more errand
to run before then.”
“Oh?”
Vermyzer gave him a quizzical look.
“Dia asked
that I stop by the market and pick her up some sort of brand new dessert.” The
Andeston made a face. “I am always amazed by the wide range of culinary
treats you Terrans prefer.”
“We could
say the same thing about how boring and unimaginative your people are. I can’t
fathom eating roglus every meal every
day of your life.”
“It has
every nutritional element we require, it is filling, and it tastes good,” Favan
defended with a grin. Andeston were always being teased about their static eating
habit.
“Yeah,
well, that may be so, but it’s also boring,”
the colonel reiterated with a snicker. “So Dia wants to try a brand new
dessert, eh?”
“Yes.
Pickles and ice cream.” A strange expression crossed the officer’s face, making
Favan curious. “What is wrong?”
“Oh,
nothing. But there’s an ages-old assumption that the reason a Terran woman
craves pickles and ice cream is because she’s pregnant.”
It took
Favan a second to comprehend. “Because she is…with child?”
Vermyzer
chuckled. “If that’s true, congratulations, old man!”
“Dia is
with child?”
The colonel
clapped him on the back. “Go get the ice cream and go home. Have a nice night,”
the man halfway ordered, and sauntered off toward communications.
Favan
remained in a daze as he made his way toward the underground tube station. He
got off at the market square and went inside to place his order. When the quart
of ice cream appeared within the delivery box, he withdrew it and took it over
to the payment kiosk.
A Terran
female wearing navigator colors glanced over from where she was checking out.
“Pickles and ice cream? Who’s the lucky girl with a bun in the oven?” She
glanced up into Favan’s strong face and smiled. “A very lucky girl, indeed.”
“What bun?
What does a bakery item have to do with ice cream?” he inquired, confused.
The woman’s
smile widened. “A bun in the oven. You know. Going to have a baby?” She added a
wink, completed her purchase, and left.
The big
Andeston swiped his hand over the screen to pay for the ice cream, wrapped the
carton inside a thermal pouch to keep it cold, and returned to the tube
station.
A baby? Was
it possible his Dia was going to bear his child? The thought both warmed and
excited him.
A child! He
was going to be a father! His lineage would continue!
By the time
he re-entered the transport carrier, he could barely contain his happiness. Spotting
another Andeston sitting by one of the windows, he thumped his chest proudly.
“I am to be a father! My name will be carried on!”
The
humanoid thumped his chest and smiled. “May your progeny be many!” he
proclaimed, giving the traditional congratulations.
When the
carrier arrived at his station, Favan rushed down the tunnels to the wall of
lifts that would take him up to the level where he and Dia lived. As soon as he
was deposited in front of his doorway, he hurried inside to find his mate
curled up on the sofa bed in the main room where she was reading. He dropped to
the floor in front of her to take her hands in his.
“Is it
true?” He searched her face, looking for some sign of confirmation.
Instead, Dia
gave him a puzzled look. “Is what true?”
“The
pickles and ice cream!”
She
brightened. “Oh, did you get me some?”
“Yes, yes!
But is it true what they say about your species? About what pickles and ice
cream means?”
It took her
a moment to glom onto what he was rambling about. Her eyes widened. “Oh! Are
you talking about expectant mothers craving it?”
“Is it true
you are…expectant?”
A strange,
yet sad expression shadowed her beautiful face. Pulling her hand from his, she
tenderly stroked his cheek. “No, my beloved. I’m not pregnant. I don’t carry
your child.”
He stared
at her, stunned. “But…but two people told me that women of your species crave
pickles and ice cream when they are carrying.”
She managed
a small smile. “That may be true, but it’s not the case here. I just wanted
some ice cream. That’s all. There’s no other reason for it, and no hidden
meaning behind it.” Leaning toward him, she pressed her forehead to his. “I’m
sorry, Favan. I’m sorry you misconstrued my desire for pickles and ice cream.”
He let out
a heavy sigh and released her other hand. “It does not matter. It was my
mistake, not yours. Forgive me for making the assumption without proof.” Getting
to his feet, he picked up the container. “Shall I put some into a bowl for
you?”
“I have a
better idea.” Dia arose from the sofa bed. Taking the package from him, she led
him into the kitchen and placed the treat inside the cold containment unit.
“I thought
you wanted some pickles and ice cream,” Favan queried.
“I can have
some later,” she replied, and took him by the hands. “But right now, I haven’t
seen my mate for almost two days, and I’d rather spend some intimate time with
him instead.” She gave him a mischievous smile. “Who knows? Afterwards, I might
end up wanting some of that ice cream for another reason.”
Favan had
no objection when she led him back to the sofa bed.
~ ~ ~
New!
VEILS
Veils Trilogy, Book 2
Sci-Fi / Time Travel Romance
By Linda Mooney
Word Count: 35.2K
$2.99 e
Griffin and Natalia are still surviving one veil at a time, living life not knowing when another one might make an appearance, or where it may take them. Mountains, desert, summer or winter—there’s no way to prepare, they just take what’s thrown at them. Through it all their love continues to grow, and it’s more than just because of circumstance. They’ve grown to rely on each other. Depend on one another. But they shouldn’t get too comfortable…
They soon learn that with the storms, they’re not only traveling to different locations, but different times as well. How far into the future or past will they go? When will it end? No one knows. All that matters is they have to survive, no matter what. Together.
Do they find strength in numbers, gain new allies, or are they safer with just the two of them? New enemies, old friends, and new revelations of their situation… They’ve developed a theory, and if it’s correct, they could finally end back up where they started, but that could mean losing each other for good, which they vow never to do.
Warning! Contains crocs or gators, a tanker truck, missing livestock, the smell of rotten eggs, a dumpster, chocolate-topped crullers, a windmill and a buoy, gang activity, and the unexpected chance to cement vows of love.
