Chapter 3

Formal Invitation

Judy was sleeping late so Don was doing her garden chores for her when Effra, looking like she had just walked out of a Greek temple, approached him. "Well…" he said. As she walked up he thought, 'I gotta admit that she is quite a beautiful sight,' and as she got closer, he asked,"What have you come to borrow this time, Effra?"

"I ain't come to borrow," she breathed. "Now that our crop's in, why, we've got everything we need."

"Well, that's good. I—I guess you'll be leaving soon," he replied. 'And I can get some peace…'

She strode up to him. "Sounds as though you're glad to see us go."

"You haven't been exactly friendly neighbors, now have you?"'And,' he thought, 'the sooner you leave… the better.'

Judy approached the hatch of the space ship and saw Effra put her hand on Don's shoulder. 'Oh, no… she's back…' she said to herself, 'but I'm going to let Don handle her this time.'

"Well, I – I could be right friendly if you'd only let me. Well, we could go places together," Effra told him as she caressed his chest and drew a trail to his heart. "Anywhere your – your little ol' heart desires."

'She doesn't give up, does she?' Judy thought as she watched. Don kept telling himself, 'Effra's got no power over you, West… Keep it together.'

Effra stepped away from him and continued"Ohh, why, uh… we could set down any place and do us some plantin' and live off the fat of the land."

'Freedom…' he thought.

"Don't that sound inviting?" Effra asked.

Judy held her breath waiting for Don's response. He nodded and said, "Yes," but to himself added, 'if you were Judy.' Judy covered her mouth with her hand to stop herself from shouting, 'No!' She almost cried in relief when he added, "But not for me."

"Why not?" Effra demanded.

"Because I've got other plans. Now why don't you be a good girl and go back where you belong?" He grabbed her arm. 'And if you don't go willingly, I'll drag you,' he thought as he pushed her away from him.

"I could put a spell on you if I put my mind to it," Effra warned.

'You know, I've had it with you lady…' Don thought and said, "Go ahead. Now, if you'll excuse me." He turned towards the ship and left her fuming by the hydroponics table. He ran head first into Judy as he stomped into the Jupiter. "You're up! Then I,uh, I guess you heard…"

"The whole thing," Judy stated.

"And how did I do?"

"You had me worried there for a minute, but… you did all right."

He gave her a half smile and said, "Well I almost felt sorry for her. She just seemed so… desperate."

"She must be to want to put a spell on you."

"You're not worried about that are you?"

"Honestly?" she asked. Now he was worried. She laughed and threw her arms around him. "No, I'm not," she said. "We'll just counteract her spell with one of our own." They leaned towards each other to kiss, but broke apart when Will came running up the ramp.

"You know, she is really weird!" Will said.

Don and Judy laughed and both said at the same time, "You can say that again!"

Don put his arm around Judy and walked her to the breakfast table. "Hey, let me tell you about the dream I had last night."

"Sure," she replied, "and I'll tell you about the one I had too…"

He arched his eyebrow in anticipation and thought, 'Yup, this is gonna be a really good day.'

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The End - for those of you who don't like a dark story ---- For those of you who do... proceed to Space Croppers Alternate Universe, rated "M"