Out
A series about Mars
by Daniel
E. Machado
Chapter
13
Roselene's blankets rustle in bottom bunk
as Blade slips quietily into their room, although the term "room" may be
giving the tiny space much more credit than it deserves. Their sleeping
quarters – the Girl’s Room – is only about the size as their original quarters.
But at least they won't be stuck in it full-time. The cabin's living area
outside more than makes up for having to share.
Sliding in next to her sleeping daughter
Blade pushes a fingertip up under thin drool soaked strand of blonde hair,
pulling it from the corner of Roselene’s mouth.
"Mommy's brave little baby." She whispers
down at the child. "I bring you all the way out into orbit and you sleep
right through most of it like it was just another a trip to the mall."
Sensing her mother’s soft warmth Roselene rolls away from her pillow to
cuddle into Blade's thigh and rub her tiny forehead against her mother’s
knee. Outside a sharp cursing jolt of laughter erupts then quickly falling
to a hush. Fred’s snicker lingers for just a moment before complete silence
returns.
"You’re mommy's had a most interesting
day today, Nuggin." After slipping off her shoes Blade unzips and then
slips out of her jumper. "Mommy's got men coming out her ears. And nice
men at that. But then that’s Mommy's real problem, isn't it. If they were
both a couple of assholes there wouldn't be a problem." Blade looks down
at her sleeping child's shadow and slowly combs her fingertips through
the girl's bangs.
"Mommy really doesn’t have time right
now for any nice men. Especially nice men who plan to spend their lives
spinning around the Sun in great big overgrown beer kegs." With a gentle
kiss to her daughter's forehead Blade glances up at her bunk still folded
into the wall.
"You mind if I sleep down here tonight?"
Blade reaches across the tiny sleep-closet to pull another set of pillow
and blanket from a locker then scoots in between Roselene and the wall.
The single bunk is crowded, but tonight crowded will be preferable alone.
"Still…" She cuddles in close to rest
her cheek on the child’s warm sweet head. "Men can be useful in their own
way. And that… John!" This curious craving troubles her. "But, still… No,
that’s just too stupid. There's always going to be Fred here, and..." Closing
her eyes to the dark room’s stormy blur of conflicting notions Blade's
mind churns deep.
Well, it might be possible,
but manageable? No. I don’t think so.