Starman

*

'Once upon a time – in a galaxy far, far away, a young alien boy who felt out of place. He lived his life in search of someone to talk, someone to listen and play with him. He traveled from planet to planet in his comet, looking for something that made him complete, something that made his life worth it. He made friends with a big, pink monster named Lola, from planet Bowie 8072. They settled down in one of the many moons of Saturn, where Lola joined a band, and the boy painted all day –'

'Dad –' a young boy interrupts Gerard's story, pulling from his shirt to get his attention. 'Why do they live there?'

Ziggy looks at him, waiting for his answer, and Gerard doesn't know what to say. The nine-year-old recently got into astronomy, and he's already read dozens of books, and knows more than his dad about this galaxy and all the surrounding ones. But Gerard still tries. 'Because – they love the view.'

'Which moon?'

Gerard feels so stupid sometimes. When he decided to homeschool his children, he never thought they'd get this smart. So much that they're the ones teaching him, instead of the other way around. 'I don't know –'

'What about Phoebe? I like that one.'

'I guess.'

Just then, there is a loud cry, and a toddler comes running towards Gerard. 'C'mon,' he says as he picks up his youngest son, Luke. He probably had a nightmare while taking his afternoon nap, and just needs a cuddle. 'It's okay. You want some juice?'

He gets Luke his sippy cup, fills it up with fresh orange juice that he made himself earlier, and checks on the broccoli soup he's cooking for dinner. He never expected to be a single father of three, living in a trailer home in the middle of the desert, nor did he expect to be growing his own garden, or that he'd be making home remedies for his sick toddler and staying up all night taking care of him. But here he is, learning new things every day.

'Nova!' he calls to his oldest kid, who's probably reading in the other room. Already a teenager, and moody all the time – though Gerard knows she got that from him –, she doesn't want to partake in the family activities. 'Dinner is ready!'

They have a picnic table set outside, and luckily the weather is nice. Gerard sets Luke down, and sets up the table. 'Ziggy, help me with some cups.' Nova serves the iced tea, and they all sit down to eat.

'So – what have you been reading today?' Gerard asks, starting a conversation. He treats his kids as full fledged humans, and not just kids, so he likes to know their opinions and thoughts – and he trusts that he raised them well, and they know right from wrong. Plus, it's a family tradition by now.

'I learned about black holes,' Ziggy starts, and explains all about matter, and gravity, and Gerard finds it so interesting. He reminds him of his brother sometimes, and now he misses Mikey.

'What about you, Nova?'

'I read Pride and Prejudice,' she says.

'And what did you think?'

'I think that romance is overrated.'

All Gerard can do is laugh, because he kind of agrees. All of his relationships failed, and the one time he thought he was in love, she left, and he'll probably die alone. But at least he has his kids.

And he could never change that for the world.

He wouldn't change watching them grow up, and being a witness in every step they take. Hearing Nova sing while doing her homework. Watching Ziggy draw aliens and make up stories about them. Hearing Luke say dad for the first time.