Cantrell: The Early Years

I hope it's okay to comment here. This is exciting! I actually never knew the start of Erik's life, just caught bits and pieces when he was an adult. I'm looking forward to more.

Hi galacticgal I completely agree with GlacierSnow It is a really exciting and dramatic start to a life. I feel for Louise who, out of love and solidarity, follows her husband on this arduous adventure, only to end up in the void for several months.
There is absolutely no prohibition against updating the chapters daily. I can hardly wait to hear more. I'm glad you chose to share your stories here.🌞

Christmas On Vulcan, a Cantrell: The Early Years Update

Reaching home again it was time to celebrate. “Let the festivities begin,” Joseph chortled, throwing open the front door. He loved this holiday and was determined to make the most of it despite the alien environment they found themselves in. He could tell Louise wasn’t overly thrilled to be here. He was determined to bring the smile back to her face, nonetheless. Gazing up at the sky, cloud over and rain, at least. Just a few drops, doesn’t need to be a downpour or anything. He’d wish for snow, but they weren’t at a high enough altitude for that.

“Shall we see what Christmas treasures await you?” The couple barely had time to pass out a gift or two, one to each boy, when a knock at the door, surprised them. “Well, now, who do you suppose that is?” Louise scooped up Erik, who clung to the small, cloth camping buddy toy, only to drop in as his mother opened the door. “Oh, Father Winter,” she said, seeing the warmly cloaked man walking down their front walkway. “It’s Father Winter.” she said over her shoulder to Jsoeph. She immediately left the house, Erik on her hip.

Father Winter, who was on his way to another house, quickly turned around when she hailed him. He gave her a bright smile, as she approached him, babe in arms.

“Father Winter, I would like you to meet our newest family member. This is Erik, Erik this is Father Winter. You know who he is. We read about him in your new Christmas book.



“Aye, he’s a fine boy. A fine boy, indeed. Be ready for this one,” Clement said, with a wink. “He’s one special little human.” Louise furrowed her brow at this. Of course, his parents thought him special. Aren’t all kids special, each in their own way? She silently pondered. Louise would often reflect on Father Winter’s words as Erik grew. Erik. On the other hand, was unsure of this stranger and didn’t take too well to being held by someone he didn’t know.



“Oh, my, please don’t take offense,” Louise said, as she gently took the infant from the man’s arms. “He gets a tad cranky when he’s overtired. Erik, what a fuss you’re making.” Turning to go back inside, she tossed over her shoulder, “Won’t you, please, come in?”

Moments later, Father Winter was busy delivering packages to this little human family. Placing them in a nice array at the bottom of the tree.



*~~*~~*~~*~~*



After Father Winter left their house to continue his rounds, Joseph took Aaron out back to show him the new toddler gym. The boy was elated and took to it immediately. He clapped his small hands, giggled and crawled up a tube before Joseph could even snap a photo.

All-in-all Christmas had been a success.

A week later, amidst their tree the couple was ready to ring in the Terran New Year with toasts, kisses and joy. The Vulcans, if they even celebrated such an event, which Louise doubted, had some time to go before they would flip their calendars to a new year.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Louise had many questions. Very few Vulcans were employed by the company she worked for; not that Vulcans didn’t produce some wondrous works of Art; but on the whole as a Society, much like music, they found it too emotionally based. And yet they did appreciate music and Art, on the whole. It left her wondering. Just who are these people and why am I here?



Come New Year’s Eve she decided to query her husband on the matter. “Joseph, tell me something,” she said after dinner. Having finished cleaning up the mess of the evening meal, she took her glass of imported Von Haute Estate Meloire and sat in a chair in the living room. “I’ve been doing some reading and some observing. Why is it, do you suppose that there’s such a distinct difference between human children who are only a month or two apart in age, but can bear such a striking difference in their development yet none for Vulcan children?"

“The disparity in age, that’s why,” he said, he set his grading book aside, for now.
“Come again?” He took a seat on the end of the sofa, nearest the chair where his wife sat
“Easiest way I can explain it, is that for every two point five standard human years in age a Vulcan only ages one year.”
“Oh, how curious,” she said.
“Note, I said Human years. They are actually much younger in Vulcan years. It’s a two point five to one, ratio, my dear.”

Louise took a slow, contemplative sip of her Meloire. “Really? As in a seven-year-old Vulcan is actually only three in their development? How on Earth, er Vulcan, do they betroth babies the way they do?”

“It’s a Clannish Thing. A leftover from their Beginnings. It’s all about Power.”

“So sophisticated on the one side and yet so . . . Backwards. What a conundrum.”
“Yes.”
“And why do so many very talented people all but shun the practice of Art?

Joseph just gazed at her and said, “To understand that, you must come to understand their history. The emotions of a Vulcan actually surpass those of any human in depth and scope.”

“Are you saying their feelings are stronger?”

“To the point that they very nearly destroyed themselves, yes. Wars, murders, mayhem. They nearly brought this Great Society to an end. Seriously, they faced total annihilation at their own hands.”
“So, you’re saying they had no choice other than to scale it back.”

“More than that, even. It took Surak and his teachings to turn things around. They adopted Logic as their guide; suppressing their emotions to a point that it became, inappropriate to display outward signs of emotion for at least a human millennium.”
“So, that’s why he's so revered and why it’s so rare to see a Vulcan laugh, cry or . . . hence the word Compound instead of neighborhood.”

“Now you understand. Not every Vulcan has adapted to the suppression of their emotions, though, but enough have to make things work.” Louise took a thoughtful sip of her juice and then gazed over at her husband. “ I can’t believe you were once involved with one years ago.”

“She used me,” he quickly said, looking away.
“You said she was curious about humans.”
“Yes, and she used a mindmeld on me to get into my head. Had she locked our minds together, as was her plan . . .” his voice trailed off.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to open an old wound. Joseph waived her off.
“I was a young Marine. Auld Lang Syne,” he said, standing up. “Look, it’s almost the New Year.” Glancing at the television on in the background. He took the bottle of fizzy juice from the fridge and popped the cork, then quickly poured two glasses. Toasting each other they drank to each other’s health and sealed it with a kiss at the stroke of midnight. 2260 had begun.



*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Juggling her daily job tasks along with soon-to-be three children, the eldest one quite rambunctious, Louise realized she already had her hands very full. She was torn; knowing they needed a larger abode, and at the same time, she needed some help. Beyond what Joseph did, which was quite a bit, when he wasn’t at work. She also realized that Nannies didn’t come cheap.

Erik, not quite crawling, was well able to scoot about their small home. He was also a bit of a terror, his interested mind getting him into not a little bit of trouble.






Finally, he was able to pull himself onto his feet, too. Even though the seasons were longer here on Vulcan, her children grew at the rate expected of humans. Which relieved the new mother immensely.



Thankfully, Aaron was more than happy to play out in the backyard on the toddler gym Father Winter had brought him for Christmas. With Erik in the back carrier, she could paint while also keeping an eye on Aaron. When the third baby came along, she was uncertain just how she would manage, but for now, it worked.



Thanks for reading. All for now.

Baby Erik is adorable. That picture of him pulling himself up on the chair, he looks so surprised and pleased. I'm enjoying seeing this start to him and his family's life.

Nearly a Full Boat, a Cantrell: The Early Years Update


Louise couldn’t get any bigger at this point. She was huge. After the one false alarm she was beginning to fear her state of pregnancy was for keeps. Or she wasn’t pregnant at all, and had just gained an unsightly amount of weight. Oddly enough, whenever she gave this notion any real thought, she would receive a rather brutal kick from the Being within.

Their house was way too small. Erik was getting to be such a big baby. Still not crawling, but he was able to pull himself up on a piece of furniture. Glancing at the 2260 calendar, even though Vulcan’s season didn’t align, Erik’s first birthday was upon them. They left church just after they shared one cup of coffee with their Church Family during Coffee Hour.


Happily, Erik was so worn out he fell asleep almost as soon as his blond head hit the crib mattress. This left Louise some time to bake a chocolate cake for the wee one. Feeling almost sentimental about him not being quite such a baby anymore, she got another hitch in her side and wondered, if this baby and Erik would end up sharing a birthday?

Joseph took Aaron out back to help keep him occupied and allow Louise to have the kitchen to herself. Aaron was always asking a lot of questions. Sometimes he would pester his mother so much while she cooked, she would accidentally leave out a few key ingredients.

After about an hour or so, Louise called them back inside, baby on her hip. “Come on,” she said, as she stepped out onto the backdoor stoop. “Erik says he’s ready to blow out his candles now. And he would be most pleased if the two of you would join him as he celebrates this milestone.”

The cake sat on the end of the kitchen counter, candles ablaze. “Okay, take a big, big breath and blow the candles out like this,” she said, as she carefully blew out just one. She quickly relit it.



“Okay, now. Big breath and — blow!”

Erik’s light blue eyes grew very large. “You did it, you got them all!” How did you manage that? Total breath control, my word.



In another minute Erik was a Toddler. “Oh, there’s my big, big boy!”


*~~*~~*~~*~~*

One late afternoon, three weeks later, Joseph came home from work. He seemed to have a bit of a bounce to his step. He joyfully, in fact, collected the mail from the mailbox out front, separating the bills and letters from the junk mail, and then pulled open the front door. “Honey, I’m home,” he called out. Louise smiled. She had watched him from the window. She approached and gave him a kiss.

“You look as if you’ve had a terrific day, come sit down, and let’s eat.”


“I have indeed. I have news and an announcement to make.”

“Oh? Please spare me the suspense, I’ve been having a lot of Braxton Hicks today.”



Joseph nodded and smiled as he said, “I have been promoted! With it came a tidy raise, and a bonus. A bonus. And you know that house we looked at over on Old Penelope?”

“You mean the one that was built there after old man Cahill passed away? The Spanish, almost adobe-style house?”

“Yes, that’s the one. Nice big yard to give the kids room to run around. I believe we now have the proper income to allow us to make a bid on the place. I drove passed it on my way home today, and it is still listed.”

“Joseph, don’t tease me.”

“I’ll call the agent right now.”

“That’s terrific,” he said into his phone, “I look forward to hearing back from you.”

“Well?” Louise said, rubbing at her lower back. The cramping hadn’t really let up, as she thought it might. In fact, the pangs were coming closer apart with more intensity. Joseph gazed at his wife.

“Are you all right?”

“I think I may really be having the baby, this time. The Braxton Hicks seem to be moving into something far more productive.” With that she got up and walked into their bedroom. In only moments Joseph heard the distinct hum of a personal Transporter, as the human physician, Doctor Lawrence, arrived.

“Honey,” Joseph called out to here, “the realtor said he was going to call the owners of the house and advise them of our bid. We could hear back from him very soon.”

“Wonderful, I’m having the baby right now,” she said.

“Fantastic, had I known this is all it was going to take, I would have sought other good news to bring home, sooner.”

“Is that what did it?” Doctor Lawrence said.



While Louise was busy in the other room, Joseph took a look at his two Toddler sons, “Whose turn it is to go first for a bath?” With the scarcity of water on this planet, the family chose to use the bathwater, twice. First one boy and then the next. The parents, each took very short showers.

At once harsh babbling was exchanged between the two of them.



Before it came to blows of one sort or another, or likely shoves, Joseph said, “Boys, boys, no need to expend unkind words to each other. Daddy will decide.” Turning, he focused on Erik. “I know, it must be your turn, You’re looking pretty grimy. You must have thoroughly explored the back garden. Am I right?” he said, snatching Erik up. Noticing his mismatched apparel, he said, “Did you get dressed in the dark? Or are you just a tad on the Bohemian side?”


“We have another son,” Louise hollered from the main bedroom, halfway through Aaron’s bath.



By the time Joseph had bathed both of the older boys, the newborn had awakened from his light snooze. Grabbing up a bottle and very carefully heating it up in the microwave, he went to meet his third son. Since they both agreed early on, they didn’t opt to have the child’s gender revealed to them hoping for the surprise. The couple had decided should this child be yet another son, they would name him Joseph Alistair Cantrell, III. He would likely go by Joey, Jr., but that was his preference to make.

Gazing down at the rather handsome lad, Joseph’s heart swelled with pride. Three sons. He had three sons to carry down the family name and legacy. “Hello, there, Joey. I’m your Daddy.”



When next the newborn squalled, Erik came running into his parent’s bedroom. He stopped short in front of the funny basket his parents had brought in. Peering into it, he thought, What’s that?


As the clock drew near the seven o’clock hour, Joseph rounded up the other two children. “Honey, is Aaron in there with you?”

“No. Just Erik. He’s fascinated by the noises Joey makes. Did you check out back?”

“No, but I will.”

Sure enough, Aaron sat in his little Toddler Swing, gazing out at something. Perhaps, just the skyline. He was obviously lost in thought.
“Aaron?” Joseph said, gently, drawing the almost four-year-old’s attention. “What is it? What’s wrong, son?”

“What you get another one for?” Joseph hunkered near the swing. He ran a hand over his face, trying to figure out a good way to answer the boy.

“Because mommies and daddies make families. And this is our family. Mommy and Daddy always wanted a big family. Lots of children, round about our table. You know the Mason family at church? They have five children with another one on the way.”
“Too many. I don like so many. No more attention for me.”

“Aaron, son. You will always be the Firstborn and that’s a very special mantle to wear. Believe me, I’m the firstborn of your uncles and aunties. Besides, we love each of you equally. You’re all different, you’re all special in your own way. We love all of you. You’re our family. And one day we hope to have more children. Mommy wants a baby girl.”

Aaron furrowed his brow. “A girl? What’s a girl?”
“Well, let me see if I can boil this down for you. A girl is what your Mommy used to be before she grew up.”
“Huh?”
“It’s okay. You’ll get it in time.”





All for now, Thanks for reading!

“They’re all fast asleep,” Joseph said, upon his return to the living room. He had just made the ‘rounds. Sometimes Aaron was prone to get up and wander about. A proclivity left over from his toddlerhood. Which was quite a worry, given there were a few predatory wild animals down in the canyon. This canyon was just around the cliff side and behind them. The Lematya, for one. A feline-type creature, very large, with poisonous claws. Now and again a Sehlet might be encountered, but this bear-like animal was, for the most part, domesticated and generally the ones roaming had simply escaped their confinement container. Mostly a well-kept large crate often locked. Somebody’s pet.

Joseph took a seat in one of the side chairs. Louise smiled at him upon his return. “You had something to discuss,” she coaxed, sipping at her evening glass of wine.

“Yes,” he said. “Erik’s birthday is coming rather soon. I have a thought or two on what we should get him. I want it to be something that nurtures his interests.”

“As we did for Aaron.” Louise nodded. “Is there something in particular you had in mind?

Joseph resettled himself into the chair, as if uncomfortable. “I’ve got a couple of items in mind. Problem is, both on are the pricey side.”
“If you have a mind to get him his own guitar,” Louise smiled. “I can always paint our way into affording it.”
Joseph’s eyes sparkled as he gazed over at his wife. “Yes, that was one of the items I had in mind.”

“A guitar of his own is something I most certainly can support. He’s always been so interested in yours. Standing, staring at it as if it were some kind of magical device. But he was always so mindful not to touch.”


“You noticed, too. But of course, you did. Did I ever mention just how much I admire you? You’re a terrific mother, as I suspected you would be the day we met. That’s why I chose you, you know?”

“Oh, you chose me?” She grinned broadly, her pretty face lighting up. “And, here all of this time I thought I was the one doing the choosing. Huh, what do you know?”

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Erik’s birthday came. His mother baked him a coconut cake. “Whoa, the faeries are back,” The four-year-old exclaimed. “See, they’re dancing on top of the cake?” he said when called to blow out his candles.
“Faeries?” his parents questioned in unison.

“There aren’t any faeries, son,” Joseph said gently, “That’s the flickering of the flames.”

“Okay, maybe they’re angels, since I see that at church, too. Bobbing and dancing. They’re very happy.”

The parents shot each other a glance. “I guess somebody needs their eyes checked,” Louise said. “I’ll call and make an appointment.”

Erik blew out his candles, twirled and suddenly a child stood where the toddler once did. “Hey, hey, look at me! I’m big. Finally.”





*~~*~~*~~*~~*

When handed his gifts, Erik was in awe as he unwrapped a large oddly shaped wrapped package. Opening the box inside, his eyes welled up. “My own guitar? This is for me? Thank you. Oh, thank you so much. Mom, Dad, you’re the best!”

“Don’t forget to open the other present. It’s from your brothers.”
The package was much smaller, but it contained a child’s size violin. Erik’s enthusiasm was no less for this second gift.

“Can I play them now?”

“Sure. Which instrument are you going to try first?”

The boy picked up the guitar and to all those present, he played better than expected. While not perfect, he clearly showed talent and a proclivity for the instrument. The parents gazed at each other, both thinking prodigy.


*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Over the next few days Erik played the guitar, the violin and the piano. Each time he sat down, he gained more skill. And, once he was fitted for his glasses, he excelled in his homework, too. “Wow, I had no idea the world was so clear. I thought everybody saw the world as I did. A blurry fuzzy landscape full of odd green shapes that moved in the wind. I can see. I can see!”


*~~*~~*~~*~~*

The time whizzed by more quickly now that two of the boys were in school, and Brianna spent time in a comprehensive Vulcan program. T’Pran had sought permission from the Council, in order to teach the child to vastly curtail her Wanderings. When her sessions were done for the day, T’Pran took time to teach the rest of the family how best to guard their own Thoughts. Shielding their minds from such an onslaught.

Throughout this passage of time, Joey went from an Infant to a Toddler and then to a Child.



Before anyone knew it, Joey was off to school with his brothers. “Goodbye, T’Pran, I hope you have a productive day,” he smiled as he left the house. Brianna was growing, too. Before too long she would be aging up to a child. Louise wondered if her daughter would be allowed to attend the human primary school, with her brothers, or if her schooling would be far more remote . . . The thought grieved her, but she now understood all of this training was to protect the girl and her family. Louise sighed, dreading the day of Brianna’s birthday, fast approaching.





All for now. Thanks for reading!

Day of Reckoning, a Cantrell: The Early Years Update

“Yes, my precious Girl today is your birth day,” he said emphasizing the sound she continually struggled with.

As expected, all three boys were up, as well, awaiting the possibility of cake for breakfast. The family could procrastinate the celebrations until the end of the day, but why make the baby wait? Picking up his little girl, he stood next to the counter where the cake sat candles ablaze. Louise had spent the wee hours baking, frosting and making it ready. “Okay, my little sweetheart, take a deep breath and blow out your candles. There’s a girl.”




“Good girl, I knew you could do it.” Taking her aside, he placed her out on the back deck.


“Now, do your Twirly-thing.” Surprisingly, the tot backed down the stairs, the sounds of her labor filling the early morning air. She went off to the right and suddenly aged up.



*~~*~~*~~*~~*

Tucked into her new big-girl bed, Brianna drifted off to sleep. She had some amusing dreams and at one point, just before dawn, paid a visit to her Nanny, fast asleep in the single bed on the other side of her bedroom. T’Pran sat up abruptly. “What? What a naughty student you are,” she exclaimed.

In truth the incident troubled the Vulcan woman, greatly. She had diligently taken the steps to instruct her young charge to stay out of others’ heads. The family already were adept at Shielding their own thoughts from intrusion. T’Pran was alarmed she had unconsciously let down her own guard. Yet the more she thought about it, the more she realized the child had managed to break through her Shielding. This was disturbing, indeed. Clearly her efforts had failed.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

While the family thought T’Pran just really enjoyed observing the sky and outer space, she was actually taking the time to meditate. Brianna’s situation was unlike any she had come across. She spent years at the Temple honing her ability to shield her own thoughts, keeping herself from Broadcasting her thoughts willy-nilly, as the humans called it. So as to never intrude upon another’s. What she had never come across, however, was a human, most especially a young child to not only intrude, but to have developed a propensity for it. To top it off the child found it particularly amusing. Needing to meditate more fully on the matter, she walked to the large observatory.


This troubled her most of all. If the child couldn’t learn to curb her proclivity for bouncing into another’s head, invading their thoughts as she did, it could mean one day she could end up in very serious trouble. T’Pran slowly emerged from her meditative state. She needed to bring this situation to T’Pau and subsequently to the High Priestess, T’Lar. Once decisions were made, she would make her case before the Cantrell family. Distressing as all of this was, telling the parents what must be done weighed on her soul.

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

“T’Pran,” T’Pau said, as T’Pran beamed onto the front lawn. She watched patiently, as the woman coalesced from many colorful sparkles of energy into a cohesive form once again.

“High Councilor,” T’Pran greeted, “we need to talk.”

“So, I surmised by your clipped tone. I sent you on a very difficult mission.”

“The family is very charming. They have gone out of their way to make me feel as one of them. Family. I have carefully assessed the situation. The child in question is highly intelligent, mischievous, and playful. She finds her ability to bounce into another’s thoughts amusing. I have faithfully worked with her as if she were a Vulcan child. However, on my own, I have failed to curb this egregious proclivity.”

“Indeed?” T’Pau said. “What can be done?”

“I ask to bring her to the Temple where intense instruction will be more effective. She needs to begin exercising her discipline; to learn how to Shield her own thoughts, to keep from Broadcasting them willy-nilly; and to learn once and for all that it isn’t acceptable for her to bounce into the thoughts of others without their express permission. This will subjugate the problem, I am certain.”

“Let it be done.”

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

“I shall accompany you as you perform the unfortunate task of informing the family of what must be. For the Child’s own safety,” T’Pau announced.

“Thank you. Yes, informing them shall be most unpleasant for all concerned.”

The Vulcan women stood just outside the fencing, as if awaiting Joseph’s return from work.

“T”Pran?” he said, as he approached. “Something is amiss, I fear.”


“Professor Cantrell, may I present to you, High Counselor, T’Pau.”

Joseph, at once bowed giving her a Proper Introduction. “What’s this about?” he said, upon straightening up again.

“There is a need to pursue your daughter’s training in the Way. Her reckless disregard will put her life in jeopardy. You are aware of the penalty for forcing one’s mind into that of another?”


Joseph went as white as a ghost before he recovered himself. “I know it’s a felony to do so.” It is exactly what became of S’Bina. He let his thoughts drift ever so briefly. He never got over his guilt, somehow blaming himself for what occurred between them. He should never have flirted with her. His pleas in court fell on deaf pointed ears. The Vulcan woman knew better, knew the law and the penalty for her egregious behavior. The human was not to blame.

“That draws our sharpest sentence,” T’Pau said, crisply, jolting him out of his thoughts.

“Death.” Joseph nearly swallowed his tongue. I’m so very sorry S’Bina. Please forgive me."

“Please, sir, allow us to go inside. We need to discuss this situation with your family.”


*~~*~~*~~*~~*


A short time later, the family gathered around the firepit out in their backyard. Louise was outwardly troubled, although she did remember to give the High Councilor her due, by bowing in a Proper Introduction.

“All right, children, settle down. T’Pran has some serious business to discuss.” As soon as the family were seated on the backless wood benches, the giggling died down, once T’Pran turned a sharp glance their way. Only Brianna sat upright, still, as if to show she had learned some things the nanny had taught her.


“I have some grievous news,” the Nanny began. “Brianna needs all of your support if we are to be successful with her training.”

“Hear that, Bree,” Aaron said, “It’s high time you paid attention or else . . .”

The Vulcan woman took a moment, closed her eyes, to center herself. “It’s so much more than that, Master Aaron. What I propose to do is take her to the Temple where she’ll have others learning what she’s learning. Peer pressure does have some merit, am I correct, Professor?”




“Yes, there is something to be said for it," Joseph said, "Sure. So, instead of going to the school here in the Province, she’ll do so at the Temple. But she’ll be back after the school day ends, right?”

“No. I propose she comes to live at the Temple, so she can be surrounded by the culture to which she must adhere. Fully emersed in what she must do.”

“Wait,” Louise spoke up. “You’re talking about taking my baby away. No, I refuse. Joseph, tell her it’s absolutely out-of-the-question. She can school there, that’s fine. But she must return home to us every day. On this I am firm.”



“So, you would sooner risk her existence than to allow us to help her? This I do not comprehend.” 


Erik leaned over to speak directly to the woman he considered his friend. “You can’t just come break-up our family. She’s my sister and you can’t just take her away,” His face flushed with his hot remarks. “I thought you were a friend — You’re no friend. You were supposed to help.”


“I am helping. Believe me, your sister’s life could be in danger if she doesn’t get this unseemly proclivity of hers under control We can help her far better at the Temple, full-time.”

Louise stood up. “Joseph, for God’s sake say something. You can stop this, please, please stop this!” With that she threw her hands over her face as she broke into sobs.


“Lulu,” Joseph gently murmured as he gathered his wife into his arms. “It’s really for the best. Someone will likely press charges against her for this heinous action and the penalty is Death. Surely, that’s not what you want. Neither do I.”


After she sobbed for a good long while Louise began again. “I have a better idea, Joseph,” she said, swallowing the emotion that threatened to choke her. “Let’s take our children — all of them and go back home — to Earth where we belong.”


“We can’t do that; I just signed another three-year contract and unwisely spent the bonus money”


"Don't you tell me that. Don't you dare say another word."


“What? Well, there’s no saying I have to stay. I’ll take the children away from here. Away from all of this. How can such a caring father make such a decision?”


“To save her life, my wife. Please, I fully understand you’re overwrought, confused, angry. . .”


To be continued . . .



Thanks for reading!