Encounters Out There

Tasha sat for an interview with a potential host family.

"Thank you for helping us asylum seekers."

"Oh, it's our privilege," said Sandra.

"Yes, of course …" nodded Olivia, Sandra's wife. "Earth's horrible."

Tasha nodded. "Being part of the Martian Freedom Organization, I was ostracized from most things, so that's one reason I fled here to Mars."

"There's another reason?" asked Sandra.

"Yes, well … April, my teenage daughter."

"Oh? We have a teenage son, Mark," said Olivia, "They should meet. Was your daughter discriminated against?"

"Sort of ... Earth's metaverse is always at capacity. She couldn't find any friends."