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It’s strange that human people underestimate me. It’s not exactly my first rodeo or circus either. I mean, I’ve come from a whole other galaxy filled with freaks that would most certainly steal the show. Yet, they do. And sometimes, I think about filling them in fully on my secret. I wonder what they would do if they knew...
They’d probably hate me for it. People don’t like people who are different, no matter how much they say they do. It doesn’t matter if the biggest freaks are the highest paid. It’s only because we bring in the money. If they knew, they’d be envious. My ability to fly is no illusion. There are no wires or suspension rods. I will not fall. It’s not possible.
If she knew. Wow. Goddess knows what Madame Leslie would do. No. Don’t think like that. Wait for Es. Leslie’s wrong about you. You aren’t replaceable. She just doesn’t know it. Just wait. Earthlings are too unpredictable.
I make my way to Esmeralda’s trailer convinced that she’ll know what to do. With her psychic powers, I’ve heard she gives the best advice this side of the travelling show. Frank—the guy I met when I first hit planet Earth—misses me. He wants me back. Leslie is wrong. He didn’t dump me. It just got complicated. It happens with interspecies dating.
I need to figure out what to do and soon. I could stay. I mean, sure. The circus life is perfect for a freak like me. But if I go and return to Escape to be with Frank, what will happen to the animals? I can’t exactly leave the show with Leslie. Goddess knows what she’ll do without my nagging. But Frank. Well, he’s just so cute. I mean, for a human.
***
One hour later
ES PUTS THE CARDS DOWN on the mosaic table in the center of her tiny living room. “Are you going to listen to me? I mean really listen? Because most of you don’t. You just come here for advice to ignore it. Can you listen, Neptune?”
“Of course.” I squeeze my eyes shut and will my hearing devices to stick with it. Lately, they’ve been getting worse and worse because of gravity. Human beings have no concept of just how far they are behind with technology.
“I know, of course, that you aren’t of this Earth. You’re okay with that right?”
How the Sector 666 does she know? “Well, yes. I mean, I guess.” I reach up to my head to be sure my hair is covering my extra ears. Just fly with it. She knows and hasn’t hurt you yet. Besides, nothing says she’s of this world either. I mean, it’s the circus... “I was wondering about that too. I mean, should I just come out? Should I tell everyone where I come from and how I got here?” I cannot imagine the earthlings’ reaction to learning about my life as a moon maid in a diner in a galaxy far, far away. It sounds too much like a bad movie.
“Every woman has a right to her secrets, dear. Besides, the circus is a place for the magical. I would not do that if I were you, but it’s entirely your decision. Your secret is safe with me. Don’t worry about that.”
“Thank you. I guess I just feel like a fraud if no one knows and with things getting more serious with Frank. Well, I don’t know. I just think maybe it’s time to let everyone know.”
“Frank. Forget about the rest of it. Never mind the circus. He’s what I want to talk to you about. Do you know about soulmates, dear? Do they have such a thing on your planet?”
I nod, missing my parents and sisters. Hell, even missing Jizz and Little Anus.
“Frank is yours. To him, you must go.”
“But how do you know?”
“How did I know you weren’t of this planet? I just do. I have secrets too.” She winks, continuing, “It would be a shame for you to give that up. The universe is intentional. Everything is. Do you think you landed here by no course of destiny? I think not.”
“I’m here for Frank? But I thought it was to save the animals. I can’t leave the show and just leave things in Leslie’s hands, can I?”
“This is what you don’t know. Leslie won’t be here long and the show will go on. Trust the destiny. The Blenders have things to do.”
“But it’s my job to save the animals. I mean, to be honest, I was planning to steal the show and set them free. And Leslie? Geesh. Don’t get me started on her. Today, I saw her stealing food. From a kid! Cotton candy! Imagine that.” I don’t bother to respond to her comment about the Blender family. I don’t want to know about that. The circus is complicated enough without trying to get to the bottom of the secrets that lie behind the token invisible family.
“I don’t have to. I’ve seen it. But don’t worry about Leslie. I promise you: All in good time. Trust me. Let the Blenders handle it. Meantime, go to Frank.”
My heart pounds so hard in my chest I’m sure my friends and family on the mothership can hear it. I wish I could talk to them too. I want to put my trust in Es. She hasn’t steered me wrong before, but this is really the first time I’ve gone to her for serious advice. And this seems bigger than even the fate of the travelling show: Soulmates. Destiny. Forever.
“Okay. I’ll think about it. That’s what the cards told you?”
“Not just the cards, love. They, like the circus, are only an illusion... But you? I’ve seen you...”