Monday Musings 1.3
This is the second installment of the my first serialized short story. This story takes place immediately following the conclusion of “Dremiks”
Cassie shambled back from the kitchenette with a bottle in one hand and a mug in the other. Ben took the bottle from her and motioned with his chin toward the futon. “Rest.”
“I won’t argue with you.” The medical doctor slid down onto the thin cushions. She took a tentative sip of her tea, then sighed. “That’s nice. Where’d you find this recipe?”
“I had a daughter, once.” Grief softened his usual gruff tone. “My wife had this in syrup form. We used to put a few drops into her milk.” He looked down at the infant cradled in his arms. She greedily sucked down the milky tea. “I wasn’t sure of the exact proportions, so I didn’t try to recreate the syrup. It probably needs more licorice root, but the stuff is damned hard to grow—even on Earth. I’ve only the one pot, so I’ll have to ration it out.”
Cassie wrinkled her nose. “I’m glad there’s not more. I hate licorice.”
Ben chuckled. As Ginny drank from her bottle, he continued to take swaying, long-legged, strides around the room. “Yes, that feels better, doesn’t it?” He smiled at the baby. “Your screams are agitating your honor guard. They are half-convinced we’re killing you in here.”
“Really?” Cassie sat up straighter and cast a worried glance at the door.
“No, Liebchen. I explained that she has colic.”
“But did you explain what colic is?”
Ben Fortunas grunted. “I might have—in my haste—failed to fully elaborate.” His shrug caused the nipple of the bottle to slide from Ginny’s mouth. She gave a mewl of protest. He readjusted the baby and the bottle before continuing. “I’m sure they’ve accessed their database by now and read up on all aspects of colic. God save us from knowledge hungry females.”
He pretended to look abashed when Cassie glared at him. Seeing some of her fighting spirit return eased his fears about her exhaustion.
“Any new messages today?”
“No.” Ben shook his head. As he pulled the nearly empty bottle from Ginny and eased her onto his shoulder to burp, he said, “I don’t know if there is a communications relay on their route to that station. We might not hear anything from the Hudson until she arrives at…” He trailed off, unable to recall the name of the space station.
“Rhiadan,” Cassie supplied.
“Yes, that.”
Worry and exhaustion painted Cassie’s features. “Shouldn’t we have heard from the Magellan? They’re supposed to be here in a few weeks. Why would they leave five crew behind on an alien station none of us have heard about?” “I don’t know, Liebchen.” Ben rested his head against Ginny’s just as she emitted a loud belch.
