by Dan Eaton
The party ran on for a while, but eventually started to die down. That was when I noticed my parents were sitting with Miss Gayle, Christine, and Sandy and they were all looking at me like something was up. I wandered over to the table and said, “Whatever it is, I didn’t do it.” They laughed and then everyone else looked at my mom and dad and Mom said, “Bryce, Sandy has another birthday present for you. But before he gives it to you I just want you to know your father and I have thought long and hard about this. Neither of us is totally comfortable with this, but it’s a good opportunity for you and maybe it’s okay if we let the little bird take a hop out of the nest for just a little bit. Go ahead Sandy, tell him.”
Sandy looked at me for a moment and then said, “So, uh, Bryce, remember that canister assembly I had you help me with three weeks ago?” It had been a challenging but fun job that was hard to forget. I said, “You mean that piece for the Sunshine guys we sent on to the Fabrication plant?” Sandy said, “Yeah, that’s the one. So, uh, Sunshine Inc. has put together a mission out to the Earth-Moon Lagrange point to try it out. They asked me to come along in case there’s any issues with the hardware and I’m allowed to bring a helper. I’d like you to come along if you’re interested.”
I was totally shocked by what Sandy had asked me and just stared at him for a second before I said, “You meant it? This isn’t a joke is it? That would be so cool! But what about—-” Miss Gayle spoke up and said, “Missing school with your favorite teacher who came all the way to the Moon to share your adventures with you? Don’t worry about it. I’ll just load you up with so much homework, you won’t have time to miss me.” I was glad she was saying it with a smile on her face and I hoped she was kidding about the amount of homework. I could see how after coming to the Moon to be with us kids, she might be a little disappointed that the first adventure would be one in which I would leave her and my classmates behind. She said, “I, and the rest of the school will also be expecting a multi-media report from you on this little outing due no later than one week from your return.” Christine spoke up and said, “Bryce, before I can permit you to go, you’ll have to pass the suit orientation class. If all goes well, you won’t be exposed to vacuum, but the rules for this work specify you have to be wearing a full vacuum rated suit and not just a transport suit like you wore on the lunar shuttle. Report to Sam Tanner tomorrow morning at the Security office and she’ll get you started on the training.”
We left the party shortly after that. I had thanked Sandy for asking me to go with him and Mom and Dad walked with me back to the house. Dad was excited for me, I could tell, but Mom was reserved. I mean, I could tell she was happy for me, but she was also worried and trying not to show it. I gave her a big hug when we got home and told her not to worry before I went to bed. Sleep didn’t come easy because I was so excited about the trip.
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The adventure continues. Bryce Burns is a normal teen with not so normal problems. His best friend avoids him like the plague and his dad is accused of building a weapon of mass destruction. Just when he thinks things couldn’t possibly get worse, he finally gets the girl of his dreams. Be careful what you wish for.
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