Flying Cows Pt 4

  I hopped onto the two-seater ATV behind Tom and his father rode another one to their--what I call--homestead. It was a typical old style farmhouse like the one seen in Interstellar. I admit was nervous about accepting their invitation to lunch. Many diseases are transmitted via the fecal-oral route, and I only eat mushrooms when I am forced to for politeness sake. I followed Tom into the house and there his mother was dressed like a typical earthy hipster. She greeted me with a smile and welcomed me in the soft-spoken way that naturopaths speak. Tom introduced me to her and I learned that her name is Kate. I sat down to a hearty meal of a roast beef sandwich with cheese and mushrooms as well as some fresh vegetables. I will never forget the wonderful flavors of that sandwich. I forgot why I was there, what I needed to do, and when I needed to leave because I was intensely enjoying my lunch. After lunch was over, I felt rather sleepy, but then I had many questions to ask them on the tip of my tongue. However, when I moved and sat down on the couch, I fell asleep. I woke up at dusk. Kate came over and said, "Oh good! You're awake! Are you hungry?"

"No, I am not hungry, but thank you! I should probably leave, and thank you for your hospitality!" I replied

"Leave?! Tonight is when the aliens come to visit us and inspect the farm. You'll learn so much more if you stay!"

If there is one thing I dislike, it is this sort of situation. If I leave, I will probably be able to go back to my normal life and be a productive member of society with a few nagging questions. If I stay, I may embark in an adventure. In any even I will never be the same. How can anyone forget levitating cows?

"How do you know that the aliens will come tonight?" I asked so as to prolong given my final answer

"Oh, well John and Tom study the mushrooms in the forest and there are several special varieties that appear on the eve of when the aliens are to visit us."

My face must have betrayed my skepticism.

"Haha, yes, I know it seems a little strange, and I was skeptical at first, but they have been regular visitors for the past two years."

"Why do they come at night? And with today's technology wouldn't the US government be able to detect a flying object?"

"Oh, well that is when mushrooms appear, and from what Tom and John say, the materials and navigation are something they have never seen before. You have so many great questions. Just stay and I'm sure one of the aliens would be more than happy to talk to you!"

"I'm sure." I said in my dry sarcastic voice. My thirst for adventure and excitement was outweighing my commonsense. I have been living a life of common sense and respectability. I pulled out my phone and texted my parents to let them know that I was staying at the coast for a couple of days. I gave them the reason that I was rather stressed and needed a break…which was true to some extent. I have been wanting to live in an adventure instead of watch or read one. I also didn't want anyone to inevitably worry about me and send the police searching for me. With that task done, I told Kate, "Okay, so I have decided to stay. What do I do now?"

"Oh, this is wonderful! We need a scientist! I study herbs and mushrooms, but I don't have a background in biology."

"Wait a minute, are you saying that I was targeted? Like the aliens somehow figured out who I am what I do and that I would come here?"

"Well…I don't know," replied Kate. I suddenly was feeling a bit scared. I don't have a PhD in biology, nor have I participated in ground breaking research. I only have done the grunt-work of research as a research assistant. Yes, I have a great curiosity about the world and have many interests outside of extracting DNA and studying proteins. If anything, I am guided by common sense and try to come to logical conclusions. But if I was chosen by some species outside of this earth for whatever purpose they have, I have absolutely no idea what to expect. Not knowing what to expect is worse than knowing what to expect even if what you expect is the very worse.

"However, you should eat something."

"Will I fall asleep again? By the way why did I fall asleep almost immediately after eating lunch?" I asked

"No, you won't fall asleep again, you may feel somewhat drowsy. This beef is special and if it was any other kind of beef I would not eat it. However, we have a special herd, (not the levitating kind) given to us by the aliens. That is primarily for food. I can't tell you much more than that except I feel like I can learn and retain more information."

"Well, it sounds extraordinary and if it makes me smarter, well I don't mind. Sure, I'll have some dinner!" I responded

If I am being "poisoned," then might as well make the most of it, right? That is purely a rhetorical question, but the food was very good. Maybe the beef has compounds in it that promotes relaxation and allows the brain to reorganize and store information in a more efficient manner. It's a pleasant thought, but until some real research can be done on it, it is only through not very trustworthy testimonials. Yes, I know that I am trying this because of what someone said, but I am feeling adventurous.

After I finished eating and was getting up, suddenly everything around me became very still.

I then heard Kate say, "They are here. Come with me." With some trepidation, I followed Kate out the door and knew at that moment I was like Bilbo Baggins going on his adventure. The galaxy is ahead, earth is behind me.