A Rose By Any Other Name

by Nona Mae King

  *

  "That should be it. Here we go." Natalie took in a deep breath, closed her eyes, and pushed the button. The generator spluttered to life. She opened first one eye and then the other. The generator still hummed. She released her held breath, sending a hopeful look over her left shoulder toward Vincent. His gaze moved from their focus on the generator to her. She smiled.

  "Yes!" Yuffie hollered as she leaped into the air. "The damn thing works!"

  Natalie heard a whine begin from the machine, and her gaze snapped to its dull sheen. Her smile disappeared. "No," she whispered. "You can do it. Just hold on."

  She felt Vincent's hand on her shoulder when the whine became a shudder and moan. Before Natalie could turn it off, there was a spark and a slight internal explosion. The tears burned, but she pushed them aside, swallowing hard at the lump of defeat. She clicked off the machine and stepped forward, organizing in her mind where they would start again. And again. And yet again. I will get this contraption running. Natalie only wished it wouldn't have taken so much time.