Chapter 11-Uncharted Territory
"I am so venturing into uncharted territory with this."
"What do you mean, uncharted territory?"
Sam held a sowing needle clumsily as she tried to sow two pieces of fabric together. Nimmeya giggled.
"It's an expression that basically means going into the unknown or trying something you know nothing about."
"Ah, I see."
While Sam had taken the necessary medical classes for the field, she had never been much of the Suzie Homemaker type so this was taking some effort on her part.
Nimmeya watched her curiously for a while and then seemingly unable to contain herself any longer continued, "Sam, what do people on your planet use to symbolize union?"
"Do you mean as in marriage?"
Nimmeya shook her head.
"The husband and wife wear rings on their left hand on this finger," she said pointing to what she only knew as, well, the ring finger.
"Oh."
Nimmeya shook her head again, looking almost confused as she continued sowing.
"Why, what do you use as symbols here?"
"The idea is the same. Only here, any form of adornment on a man or woman shows that they have a mate. It could be a necklace, bracelet, or ring."
"That's a nice idea."
"I suppose I was wrong then in assuming that Jack and yourself were in union."
Sam gasped and blushed, simultaneously stabbing herself with the needle.
"Oh. Me and Jack. Ow. No. We're not married."
Nimmeya tried to hold back a smile.
"Right. Let me get you something for that."
Handing her a cloth, Nimmeya sat back down.
"I'm sorry for the accommodations, then. We all just assumed."
"Oh, no. Don't worry about that. We weren't even expecting an open dwelling here period. We have been very thankful for that."
"I hope you don't ask my asking, Sam, but may I ask why that you and Jack have never wed?"
Sam cleared her throat loudly. "Um, well, me and Jack, we just..."
"Your feelings for each other are most apparent. Is it not a natural thing to marry on your planet?"
"No, no, it is. Natural, I mean. For people to want to marry. It's just that, well, the line of work that we do, did, doesn't allow for people who work together to, um, marry."
"Why is that?"
"Well, there are several reasons but for one, our job is a very dangerous one and when your emotions are that involved, it can lead to a bad decision that can lead to people getting hurt. The regulations are there to prevent that."
"I see. And now that you do not have these regulations?"
"Oh. Well. Um."
Nimmeya laughed. "Uncharted territory?"
