Page 2 of Yorix

Which was why Daddy waited until Mama was out of earshot to ask me what he really wanted to know.

“You aren’t going to take that test before Marietta’s birthday, are you?”

“No, Daddy. I’m going to go the day after the party.”

He nodded. “That sounds good. Marietta and your Mama will be out spending the gift cards your granny, aunts, and uncle sent. Are you telling her before they go?”

I shook my head no. “I figured it was best to confirm I was going to do it, which I’ve just done as she brought it up. Then go while she’s out having a good time shopping and looking at baby stuff with Marietta.”

He grunted, taking another slice of toast and buttering it. “You're probably right. Just, if you do happen to get matched, please have them call me on my cell. That way, we aren’t waiting for you to come home and then find out when you don’t.”

I stood up, leaning over to kiss him on his cheek.

“I will, Daddy. Either way, I’m planning to head straight on up if I can. I want to get used to life within the Fleet before classes start.

He nodded as he chewed. “Mmhmm.” he swallowed. “Sounds sensible. Always told you, get the lay of the land before moving forward.”

“Can I have your old telescope?” Sam asked me.

“No,” I said, looking at him askance.

“Not the one Granddaddy gave you. The other one.”

“You mean the one I look out from the backyard with?”

“Yeah. You’ll have something even better as a new one, so that’s your new old one.”

I laughed. “Yeah, okay. You can have that one. I’m taking the other one.”

“Your granddaddy would be so proud of you.”

I smiled. “Yeah, I think so too.”

He’d discovered a comet back when he worked at William Thaw. I hoped I made a mark like he did. Maybe even a planet! Or a moon, even. Thanks to the arrival of the Mylos and their new Exo Astronomy and Astrophysics course, the possibilities felt endless.