Johnny ran smack dab into me as he investigated the sky. I turned, grabbed him by the arm and scolded him. “Watch where you’re going son!” “Mom, he’s only three. You don’t have to be so harsh.” My eldest daughter, who was now in her teens, felt it her duty to give me directions.
“I am in charge with your Daddy gone.” I told her. She scooped Junior up and followed me towards the fence that outlined the treacherous waters.“Hurry up!” They were so slow. Sissy was thirteen, Sherry was nine and Sara was eight. Junior was a surprise that I could have done without.
I rummaged through my purse as we stood at the gate with the rest of the spectators. No binoculars, we weren’t going to be able to see a thing. “I wish you girls were helpful!” They were lazy and good for nothing. I was nervous most of the time without Big John and medication didn’t help.
“I have an idea.” I pushed back and forth on the wooden part of the railing. It seemed sturdy.“Climb over!” I told them. They whined in disapproval but fearing repercussion, did as I said. We walked through the grassy area and carefully stepped down each giant stone. The waves crashing against the shoreline took my focus until I heard the roar of the Rocket’s engine. “Kids, Daddy’s home!” I pointed to the Contender as it entered back into the Earth’s atmosphere. Big John named the spacecraft himself.
“Ma’am, you can’t be over there!” Security raced our way when they realized our position, clearly not knowing who we were. “Hold hands.” We moved quickly; I felt my foot slip. “Sissy!” I screamed as I fell, hitting my head on a rock. I rolled into the water; face down, unable to move, I gurgled trying to get air I could barely make out my littlest girl’s voice as I drifted out of consciousness. “I told you she would do something stupid if we hid the binoculars.” They wanted me dead.
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