Filling in the details

James, Sally, Terri, and occasionally Aurora filled each other in on what had been going on. Eventually, James knew his mother and aunt had helped him avoid suspicion, Terri knew that Sally had volunteered to help James find out what happened, and Aurora had managed to answer most of the questions about herself on her own.

Terri nodded as they wrapped things up. "Okay. So. Nearly dead alien on your back yard. I get bringing her to the water. I'm happy you jumped to helping. I even get the part where you're suspicious about why she wound up there."

James took a deep breath. "Okay...where's the but?"

"Why did you decide to keep it from me?"

Sally and James shared a guilty look. "We...kinda figured you'd freak out.", James started.

Sally finished for him, "So we decided to try to keep her secret...cause we-"

"Thought I wouldn't be able to handle it? You two...well. At least tell me how I can help."

James thought for a moment. "Well...how big do you think this is? The people who questioned you?"

"Big. Your aunt told me they grilled her pretty hard, too and they didn't even seem know she knew you. I'd bet they'll end up talking to anyone they can find a connection to, Jamie."

"Did they talk to you, Sal?"

Sally shook her head. "No. But if they're not done, they might come back to the house looking for me."

"The only other person is Lee..."

Terri's eyes went wide. "Shit. If he says anything that doesn't match up right, they'll have their thread to pull."

"So...how do we find out if they talked to him?", Sally asked.

James smiled. "Lee's a good friend. He'll tell me if they come asking questions, I'm sure. If nothing else, he'll ask me why they were there."

"And if he doesn't?", Sally asked. "You already have to be careful after that phone call with him."

Terri nodded. "Well. Maybe I can get it out of him."

Both of her children looked at her curiously. "How?"

"A little bit of alcohol and a good night out. I know he's single...I have been for a while, too. I can't say I haven't thought about it a little..."

James threw his hands up, "I give. I don't wanna think about it. I don't wanna know what other weird things might happen. I'm already suddenly responsible for an alien, and hiding her from people prying around. I don't want to try processing that along with my mom and my boss dating."

Terri sighed, nodding understandingly. "Don't worry, honey. I won't tell you more than you need to know. Now...what about other supplies, for uh...her?", she asked while gesturing at Aurora.

Sally perked up. "I've been thinking about that! They're not watching me, right? I can get her extra clothing or other stuff for now. I can bring it over in a couple days. Maybe by then she'll know enough to be able to talk about what happened."

James mused, "Well, I'm going to go get a few things as it is...I was able to get a mix of things from those guys earlier. The websites for foster families says the same thing, this would be the best mix of things to put in the water for her.", he pulled the list of ingredients out from his pocket.

Terri snatched it. "I will get these, thank you. You need to stay here with her. You're the one she obviously feels safest with." She gestured at the current state of closeness. Aurora had slowly wiggled her way into James's side, clinging to his arm like a nervous child.

James fished out his wallet, "Well, then here. I keep a couple hundred for emergencies, but at least use that so they can't tag your card for anything."

Terri chuckled. "Jamie, they can't do that. They have to have reasonable suspicion first, and they don't. Thanks to your aunt, and you better call her by the way, there's a solid trail covering up the only real hole. So we can relax a little bit. The worst case is someone taking action outside of law enforcement...and if that happens you're perfectly justified calling the police as long as they haven't found uh...Aurora."

James smiled when his mother used the name they'd given the woman clinging to him. "Well, then at least let me pay you back."

"Oh, you will.", she said seriously. "Anything else you need, other than this stuff?" She looked back and forth at James and Aurora.

Aurora turned a light shade of purple, managing to squeak out, "...szaaand..."

James looked at her confused. "Sand? Why sand?"

Her purple color intensified. "...Bäth..."

All three of the humans shared a look of realization. She'd need to bathe. Of course she would. Terri took out her phone and copied down the list, adding sand along with body wash for good measure. "Okay. I'll be back in a little bit." She rustled James's hair on her way by. "Go get a bath started, with fresh water."

James nodded, and stood up to go drain and clean the tub. When he and Terri left, Sally and Aurora shared an awkward glance as the only two left in the room.