Why were the humans called Jellidoos? Or were those not humans? It was unclear (at least to me).
Kalakkak's people likewise were very interesting, but I seem to have missed what they look like beyond ear frills and two pairs of arms and that they are all born as (apparently sexless until maturity) twins. A good start, but I needed more.
This felt like a piece of a larger work. I was left unsatisfied.
I believe they were referred to as "humanoid". Humanesque?
I agree with your last statement, however. It occurred to me as I was listening, and I think it has something to do with the fact that over the course of the story the characters become easier to understand and empathize with. Often in short stories the author will have character development that is truncated, so that we get the idea that there is something that we can relate to in them, but it's not given to us outright. This sort of "look, they're people too" thing happens a lot more in novels, when the author wants or needs you to empathize with the main characters right off the bat, so that you'll keep turning the pages.
It was refreshing, and soothing. I especially loved the description of tea at Bo's. I had to brew a pot for myself before I could resume listening. What can I say? Easily influenced.
And I found the idea of the manipulative robot who everyone assumes is straight to be quite hilarious.
As for the romantic aspect of it, maybe the real reason why the main character didn't contradict the cousins is that either way, he lost his wife. That's probably just the hopeless idealist in me, but I like to think there's something to it.
Last comment: Steve Eley's voice has grown on me. It has the sort of sarcastic straight-forward quality of a good friend, the type who will tell you the truth whether you want to hear it or not.