Defying Mars (The Saving Mars Series) - By Cidney Swanson Page 0,14
again, a raw and scraping pain as if she’d inhaled Mars-sand. A look at Crusty’s downcast eyes and tight-drawn brows told her he shared her feelings. She was certain Crusty felt as relieved as she did when the debriefing was declared at an end.
But she was surprised and touched when Crusty turned to the Secretary, saying, “We ain’t doing no more pictures tonight. The kid needs to see her mom and dad. Tell the news folks they can use what they already got.”
Mei Lo nodded and held a hand up to silence Nessa’s spluttering response. “That will be all for today, Nessa,” the Secretary said in a firm voice. “Crusty, I believe your father is eagerly awaiting a visit,” she added, smiling.
“I’m sure he is,” muttered Crusty. “But first I’d like to know who you had in mind for giving the Galleon a thorough look-over.”
The Secretary smiled, and Jess was relieved to see it was a genuine smile this time.
“I take it you’d like the position?” asked Mei Lo, conspiratorially. “They’ve got your name down for a promotion to a desk job.”
Crusty laughter, low and gruff, was all the answer the Secretary needed.
“I’ll inform MCC that I’m appointing you to the Galleon instead,” she said. “Jessamyn, if I might have a word?”
Jess reached out a hand to grasp Crusty’s forearm before he left. Her face, turned from the Secretary, shot Crusty a wide-eyed farewell.
He reached his large arms around her narrow shoulders and whispered into Jessamyn’s ear. “Don’t you fret, kid. Things’ll be back to normal in no time.”
But Jess felt very, very alone as she watched her last remaining crewmate disappear around a corner. She was home, and she loved her planet, but it no longer felt the same to her. What if her parents had stayed away because they didn’t want to see her? Didn’t want the reminder of the loss of their son? She felt suddenly afraid to go home.
“You held a few things back in there,” said Mei Lo in a soft voice, bringing Jessamyn back to the present.
Jess nodded, her eyes meeting those of the Secretary without flinching.
“I want you to consider carefully the possible consequences of either telling me more or keeping it from me,” said Mei Lo. “Right now, you need to get home, see your family, and get some sleep. Tomorrow, you and I have things to discuss. Agreed?”
Jessamyn nodded.
“I’ll send my driver for you at 09:00.”
Jess flushed. “That won’t be necessary.”
The Secretary smiled. “I’m afraid it will be. You’re a planetary treasure now, Jessamyn. There’s a driver expecting you at the front desk as we speak. Your life will be more complex now, but I’m confident you’ll rise to the occasion.” Mei Lo gave Jess a brief hug and turned down the hall, leaving Jessamyn nothing to do but find the chauffeur appointed for her conveyance.
On the short drive home, Jess noticed details she hadn’t paid any attention to since she was a child. She was struck by the soft glow of New Houston, at how she could squint her eyes ‘til they were nearly shut and make the city lights flicker, candle-like. Mars’s sky seemed to her by night a thing immensely comforting, a dark blanket draped over her form like someone tucking her into bed for the night. Home-yearnings brought a sharp prickling to her eyes. She would not think of tomorrow or the day after. She would welcome only this present moment, this homecoming.
The Secretary must have contacted her parents; Jess saw the familiar suited form of her father waiting beside the drive outside her home. Automatically, she checked her own helmet—the simple action came back easily. Would it be as simple to step back inside her family? Her heart seemed to leap its way into her throat as she made out her dad’s features.
“This is good,” she said to the driver, half-rising from her seat as the vehicle slowed and halted. “Thanks,” she cried over her shoulder, swinging the door open. And then she was bounding, bouncing, half-flying toward to the arms of one who loved her best in all the world, ready for that which looked and smelled and sounded and felt familiar—ready for home.
Their helmets smacked as father and daughter collided. No words were spoken, and if Jess or perhaps her father wasted the water of a spilled tear or two, the Marsian sky, quiet and sheltering, kept the secret.
Eventually, the pair made their way through the front airlock and into the familiar round house.