The Shape-Shifting Cowboy, Part Iii

“But as I wandered through New York City my hopes soured, and then began to sink, people like livestock, herded this way and that, endless laws...and good lord what a stink! “Was beginning to fear there was no escape, that there was no place to which I could fly, then I saw something in a pawn-shop window, and old western, and it did catch my eye! “Men up on horseback, riding across the plains, the mere sight of it stirred something in me, I knew I had found something truly great, never had I seen somebody so free. “That's why I cam out to the western states, and though horses were frightening at first, once I learned to ride through the spaces I found a pleasure to sublime for words. “That's how I got here, that's why I say, why this alien chose a cowboy's life, the freedom I have to live as I choose... I tell you, nothing every felt more right. “And what I said before, it was the truth, I feel everything that a man feels, that include my great love for you Jenna, don't doubt for one second that it's real.” He paused and let her try to take this in, but she was flustered, unable to speak, and what words she managed came out all wrong, she had trouble just keeping her feet. After a while she managed to croak: “I-I need to think...I need to go.” She stumbled out, and back to her car, question everything she did know. Calvin made no move to stop her exit, she drove quickly back to her place at once, with so much swirling around in her head she wouldn't see him again for two months. She didn't know how to comprehend it, her mind just went in circles and raged... a shape-shifting alien was her boyfriend? And was at least three hundred years of age? She had just wanted herself a cowboy, now she had slept with another species? And who exactly could she tell of this? Alien boyfriends, right, who would believe? When Jenna finally did go back there she had questions, a long list to ask, found him sending his hands out to work, watched them riding up into the hills fast. When he saw he his face quickly went grim, he said,”I didn't think you would return.” She said,”Took some time to mull it over, not exactly an easy thing to learn. “But I have questions that need to be asked, and you're going to answer every one, if you hold back on any of them that whatever we have here is done.” CONCLUDES IN PART IV.