When we reach her friends, she releases my hand and gives them each a hug in greeting. This is a custom I’ve seen practiced in the short time I’ve been here, but it seems to be reserved for people that know each other well.

Moira points to an open doorway behind the bar area, and the two women nod at her in agreement. She then turns to me as she rises on her tiptoes and still has to practically shout over the loud music so I hear her. “We’re going to go in the back area where it’s not so loud.”

I nod, following behind her and the other two women. They’re wearing dresses similar to Moira’s. One of them has on a tight, black dress that has no sleeves and enhances a deep shadow between her br**sts. She has white blonde hair that’s long and loose, and is very pleasing to the eye. The other woman is very tall with shorter hair that is curly around her head. Her dress is equally as tight and a deep red color. She’s equally as pleasing to the eye, and I’m finding my attraction to the white women of the modern world runs about the same.

However, in watching Moira walk just ahead of me, her h*ps softly swaying, I realize that she’s the only one I have a true interest in. Which means there’s something more there than just a beautiful face and body. Moira and I have already shared intimate experiences that heighten my desire for her. From that moment across the campfire while she watched me f**k Tukaba, a connection between us was forged and these last two weeks, it’s grown stronger. I’m finding that while I miss my home and Paraila very much, that my craving for Moira is making my time here more sustainable.

When we reach the back room, the volume of the music dies greatly and I can actually hear myself think. There are several interesting-looking tables covered in some type of green material, and people are bent over them, hitting balls with wooden sticks.

“What’s that?” I ask Moira.

She gives me a tinkling laugh. “Those are pool tables. I’ll teach you how to play in a little bit.”

The women find an empty table in a corner and, before we sit down, Moira makes introductions. “Kelly… Lexi… I’d like you to meet Zach.”

The blonde steps forward, sticking her hand out to me. I’ve seen this custom too while Moira and I have been out and about this past week, and I reach out to take her hand.

“Hi. I’m Kelly. It’s really great to finally meet you. Moira has told us a lot about you.”

I cut a glance over at Moira and c**k my eyebrow at her. I wonder if she’ll tell her friends about what I did to her this afternoon. She lowers her eyes but has a tiny smirk on her face.

The other woman steps forward and we shake hands. “And I’m Lexi. Welcome back home.”

A tiny stab of pain hits me in my chest at the mention of the word “home,” but I manage to smile at the woman politely before releasing her hand.

As we all take seats around the table, Moira beside me and the other two women across from us, a waitress comes up and asks what we’d like to drink. Moira orders water for both of us, as she knows I don’t like the soda products I tried in the past. Lexi and Kelly both order wine.

“So, Zach,” Lexi asks. “How are you adjusting here?”

Fair question. “I’m finding that I have a lot of familiarity with many things I’m seeing already. I guess they’re products of my memory from when I was a child here. But other things are quite amazing to me.”

“Like what?” Kelly asks.

“The Internet, for example,” I tell her with a smile. “You can’t imagine the things you can learn about with just a computer and a few creative search terms.”

Moira practically chokes beside me, and it’s a struggle to keep a bland look on my face. Kelly and Lexi obviously don’t understand just how creative my searching got today, but I’m finding the pointed reminder to Moira about all the dirty things I know right now is very satisfying indeed.

“So what type of things have you been learning on the Internet?” Lexi asks. “Are you more interested in historical items, current events, or technology? I would imagine the technology has to be shocking to your senses, right?”

Oh, she has no idea the things I learned today that were shocking to my senses.

Before I can open myself to answer her, Moira cuts in and heads me off. “Zach is like a sponge. He absorbs everything. Even sitting in a restaurant and watching people, he’s picked up on so many distinct cultural norms that I wouldn’t have ever thought to mention to him. I think by getting out and about is where he’s getting the most valuable lessons.”

“Actually, Moira’s right,” I tell the ladies. “The other day, I observed two people kissing and I didn’t really understand what the point of it was since we don’t do that in our tribe. So she showed me some videos on the computer, and then had me watch The Notebook so I could understand what a passionate kiss was all about. It was very enlightening.”

Lexi giggles, and Kelly slaps her hand playfully on Moira’s arm as she says, “Nice job, Dr. Reed. You’re anthropological skills boil down to having Zach watch a chick-flick.”

We all laugh, including me, since I know exactly what a chick-flick is now thanks to Moira’s teachings.

The waitress brings everyone’s drinks, and Moira hands her some money. “I’ve got this round. Lexi, you’re next.”

“Awesome,” Lexi says after she takes a sip of wine. “With you and Zach drinking water, this is turning out to be an affordable night.”