Infinite

Reentry: Part 5

Houston, Texas, in the Clarke Home, Monday, August 12th, 2030 at 7:00 pm

Lucas

Why didn't I tell her my plan? She was right, I spent eight months up in space doing nothing but thinking about her and how to get her back. I had answers to her questions but I just couldn't get the words out correctly. She asked me to promise her, but I couldn't.

Why?

I didn't want to leave again, but I still couldn't say anything.

I never completely say what I'm thinking to her. Rachel tends to hold onto every word you say, especially when it hurts her.

Over the years I had slowly started to say less and less when we got into arguments because I just didn't want her to have anything additional to be upset with me about. Tonight, however, was not a night I should've held back. I should've said everything I had in my head even if it upset her more. At least I would've said more of the right things, too.

I cleared the dining table and started doing the dishes.

Rachel hates mess, especially in the kitchen.

It was always spotless, even while she was cooking or baking something. I heard the shower turn on. There was chopped onion and tomato on multiple cutting boards, bowls with remnants of ingredients, sauce on the counter tops, pots with food in them on the stove.

If she sees this she is going to feel even more stressed.

I cleaned all of the counters and loaded the dishwasher.

I will start it later, I don't want to interfere with Rachel's shower.

She always takes the hottest showers. I have tried to tell her that it's part of the reason she has dry skin, but she doesn't care. She just waves her hand at me and says that she enjoys feeling like a freshly cooked lobster. I laughed a little as I wiped up some sauce off the floor.

She always made me laugh. Her sense of humor was broad, and she could make friends with almost anyone. Whenever we would go out with friends they were always groups that Rachel found. Whether she was at work, in line at the coffee shop, or on one of her weekly thrift shopping trips with Anne, Rachel made friends. Cooper was the only person who I have befriended first, and I was glad I did. Anne was a great friend for Rachel to have; someone who understands. I didn't know what I would do without someone like Cooper while I was in space.

I should be preparing for what I was going to say to Rachel when she comes down.

I listened closely. The shower was still running. I could feel my heart racing.

I have to say the right thing to her, I can't lose her.

The kitchen was all cleaned up but I could still hear the water moving through the pipes.

If I try to sit down and wait for her, I'll lose my mind. I need to go do something.

I headed down the hallway past the dining room and towards my office. The walls were covered from one end to the next in pictures.

Most of them are of Rachel and me.

I passed our prom photo and some pictures of us at football games. On the other side of the wall I saw our wedding pictures. Photos full of family and friends who came out to celebrate us that day. Rachel looked stunning in her long, white, lace gown. Her hair was in a low bun with braids leading back. Her side bangs loosely curled against her cheeks. Her bridesmaids wore flowing emerald gowns and the groomsmen had on emerald vests under their suit jackets.