Homesick

Scott, Ian, and Sally took their places in the cone for the first time in what seemed like forever. Out the great window ahead of them asteroids moved passed their eyes and an occasional dust cloud hissed by. Ian monitored the navigational sensors while Sally and Scott looked dreamily ahead.

“Seconds now!” Ian warned. “Watch closely!”

Sally leaned closer to the window. She wore her interior uniform now, consisting of flannel, pajama-like material and soft slippers.

They all concentrated ahead, making careful note of each piece of rock that passed by. And then, in a blink, the pattern changed. There was no fanfare, no bright flashing light, and no sizzle of cosmic electricity. It happened and it was over.

“Welcome back to the Solar System!” Ian cheered.

“God, I wish we had some champagne!” Sally said, clasping both Ian’s and Scott’s hands on either side.

Scott just looked ahead, as if trying to read a distant road sign, but he returned Sally’s smile when she prodded him.

“We’re getting telemetry from the navigation bots,” Ian said through his smile. “They’ll carry us through the belt from now on!” He patted the console. “From here on in it really does get boring!”

“We’re home!” Sally said, jumping with excitement.

Ian got up. “Well, we’ve got no champagne or beer, but how ’bout a round of hot chocolate?”

Sally smiled, peering at the console as he left.

“Captain?” Scott said, still looking out the window ahead. “Do I seem more normal to you now?”

“Of course you do! Why do you ask?”

He thought long and hard. “I don’t know. I’m still so confused. Should I be more happy now? Should I like hot chocolate? I don’t remember.”

She took his hand. “You’ll remember it all, Scott, but it’ll take time. For now, just try to relax. Remember what Rachel said. You don’t always have to know how to feel about something. Just let it come to you as it does.” She patted his back and gently massaged his shoulder. “Sometimes there’s no right or wrong way to feel. I may react one way, Ian another, and you some other way. None of us are right and none of us are wrong. That’s freedom, Scott! You’ll remember.”

He looked ahead at the shower of tiny rocks, which glinted like diamonds as they passed the lights of the ship. “Freedom,” he whispered.

He tugged at his clean uniform. “I like this. I remember what it means now.”

“I’m glad to see you wearing it again.”

Scott reached into his pocket and withdrew the large silver dollar, staring at it as if trying to see something within the faded words. “Rachel said I might be able to return to duty soon. Do you think so?”

“Soon, Scott. I know you remember, but don’t push yourself too hard yet. We’ve still got three months before we get home. Try to enjoy some time with your family for a while.”

Ian came in, cheerfully handing out globes of hot chocolate, their plastic straws pinched off.

“Cheers!” he said.

Ian and Sally clapped their globes together and reached for Scott, who returned the gesture hesitantly. He watched them sip their drinks and put his own to his lips. But he made a sour face, catching concerned looks from both of them.

“Sorry, Mate, is it too cold?”

“No,” Scott said, trying to smile. “I’m not sure. I guess I’m not used to it.”