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"You sure did handle Dr. Sledd smooth," said Matt, as they drove down the mountain. "I was always afraid he was going to bite me, but he kissed you."
Matt was actually a little jealous.
Darcy smiled. "I come from a tribal culture. We are very conscious of status and etiquette. Dr. Sledd would be a high-status person back home. He's a very learned man. But I wasn't playing up to him. I thought he truly was interesting. I would really love to compare ideas with him and see what we could figure out. He’s as interested in my history as I am in his. I'm glad you found him."
Matt felt a glow of pleasure, but then he remembered something else.
"I didn't know you were making plans to go somewhere else. Was that true?"
"Yes, Matt, it's true. You know Cheryl Ford, Luisa's runner friend? She thinks I could compete in athletics, and she wants to introduce me to the man who helps arrange her meets. I only decided last night. If things work out, I might try a meet or two. It might be a way to attract some notice, after all. I don't know. I can only try."
"Aww," said Matt.
He was about to lose something he barely had. Darcy's company was so very precious to him. His reputation-making story was no longer that important. It was incredible to even think of having a relationship with a woman from another planet. But not only did he have one, he also had never had such a stimulating relationship with anyone before. But there was no way he could share that with her. She had more important things on her mind. And by extension, so did he.
She had to leave him, and he had to support her in that.
"Well, I guess you do have to try. Like you said, there's not a lot of time to spare, and an awful lot to lose."
"That's right,” she said. “I worry about that. I worry a lot about that."
