Rocketman

Rainy Day

CAPE CANAVERAL FLORIDA

EARTH

WATNEY RESIDENCE

MISSION DAY: SOL 18

YEAR: 2035

    It was a rainy, humid day outside. There is a little boy sitting in his cool house watching the raindrops gliding down the window. His (e/c) eyes holding a distant look as he peers up at the crying sky. "Andy, baby where are you?" you call for your eight year old son from the kitchen. Not receiving an answer, you got worried. Walking to the doorway between the living room & kitchen, you spot a mop of messy blond curls peeking up behind the couch.

    Walking up and bending over the couch you notice he is brooding. Poor baby, he misses his dad. Reaching out I pet his curls, trying to get his mind off everything. "Hey bouger, you want to help me make dinner? It's spaghetti & meatballs, your favorite." Feeling the slight movement of his head as he nodded, I removed my hand from his adorable blonde curls.

    Standing up from the floor, Andy walks around the couch and stands in front of me. "How are you and Ella, mom?" He asks, placing his small hand on my ever showing baby bump. Chuckling as I stand, grasping Andy's hand, I walk us towards the kitchen. "We're fine, how was your day at school?" I question back, walking to get the ingredients out of the fridge & pantry. "It was really good! My homeroom teacher let me water the plants today and..." He spouted off excitedly while I was more focused on what to get out for dinner. Let's see meatballs, sauce, mozzarella cheese, garlic bread. "Mommy?"

Uh oh, he only calls me "Mommy" when he does something wrong or he's upset. "Yes, baby?" I asked him, walking out of the pantry with full hands. After I placed the ingredients down on the counter I focused all of my attention on my baby boy. "When can we talk to daddy again?" He says looking up at me like a kicked puppy. I picked him up and sat him on the counter so I could be eye level with him without straining my back. This baby is gonna be fat!

"Well, if I remember correctly we always have a video chat on Monday's .
So we have all of this weekend to get a list together to tell him all of the fun stuff he's missed." I chuckle petting his hair to calm him down. "Also since it's Thanksgiving week we get to talk to him for a little longer, but until then you gotta help me get the house ready for grandma and grandpa to come over okay?" Pressing my forehead against his smaller one he nods and his face brightens up reminding me of the time Mark & I took him to the Krohn Conservatory two years ago. "Yay! I can't wait to see Granny & PaPa and tell dad what I learned in school this week!" Chuckling at the eight year old's enthusiasm, I walked off to fill the pot with water to put on the stove. "I'm gonna go grab my stool so I can help you!" Andy stated proudly.

Once the pot was on the stove waiting to boil, Andy was helping me cut mushrooms. Now I know what you're thinking. No, I did NOT give my eight year old a knife. He was handing them to me while I sliced them and put them in a pan. It was peaceful until he spoke up. "Before daddy left, he made me pinky promise that I would help you. He said since he wasn't gonna be here that I had to be the man of the house!" Chuckling, I looked at him and kissed his cheek. "Ewww mom yuuuck!" he responded by wiping off my kiss.

~TimeSkip~

    It's now a couple hours later, I had just put Andy to bed. Walking into the office I sat down in my chair. Glancing at the window, noticing that it's still raining. Putting my focus back on my desk, I notice the stack of essays that need to be graded. Uggghghgh! I wish I could have a glass of wine! Looking down at my stomach I poked it saying, "I blame you for this!" Receiving a little kick back from my baby girl. "Yeah, yeah, just wait till you get your eviction notice in a month." I tell her, rolling my eyes.

    I get to grading the essays, while throwing banter at my unborn child. Why did I agree to help grade papers on Maternity Leave? Sighing as I finally finish the last essay. "Geez! Ella, promise me that you won't write crap essays on the cold war in high school." I recieve a small kick under my hand as an answer I chuckled to myself turning around in my office chair to face Mark's desk.

    "I can't believe it's already been eight months...'' I state sadly to nobody. I suddenly feel something is wrong. Putting my hands all over my stomach, nothing. I rushed over to Andy's room, seeing him sleeping peacefully with his star projector illuminating his features. I sigh, wondering why I have this awful feeling that something is wrong. Finally deciding to ignore it, and turn in for the night. I do my nightly routine and ease myself into bed. Looking over at the empty spot next to me, I feel lonely. "I miss you Rocketman." I whisper thinking that he can hear me up in space.