And Silent Were The Stars

- 6 -

Rebecca walked down the wide corridor towards the tram when the bracelet on her left wrist gave out a signal. She looked at the small screen. It was Lynn. She pressed the answer button and brought the hand to her ear.

"Hey, what's up? Where are you?" Lynn's voice sounded in the small speaker.

Before Rebecca managed to answer she heard a man's voice in the background and Lynn continued, "James has already studied the menu of today three times. Won't be able to keep him off the food for much longer." Then Rebecca could hear Lynn giggle and say, trying to keep the speaker further away "Stop it, you!"

"Hi, Lynn!" Rebecca spoke into the bracelet. "I think I'll pass tonight. Not very hungry."

"Oh, come on, you sure?"

Rebecca heard James's voice in the background, "James says hi. He's saying they are serving Mexican today. Sure you want to skip that?"

"Yeah."

She heard James yell into the microphone, "Hi, doctor!"

"Hi, James," Rebecca said, a smile appearing on her face. She heard him say something else but could not make out the words.

"My ever-hungry husband is asking if he can take your ration if you won't be needing it." Lynn giggled and added, addressing James, "Oh, stop it now! I'm serious." Rebecca imagined Lynn's face right then, her almond-shaped eyes squinting at James, a smile on her lips. She never met a couple that seemed made for each other the same way these two were. Five years of marriage and still a relationship heated up by passion.

"Sure. No worries. You still have my spare card, don't you?"

"Thanks! You're a sweetheart, Rebecca!" She heard James in the speakers.

"Don't mention it!" Rebecca reached the platforms and saw that the blue line was leaving in three minutes. She headed towards the open doors of the second car. Shifting noises came from the other end of the call.

"Hey," she heard Lynn say, her voice sounding more somber. "Everything all right with you?" She could hear Lynn walking. "Yes, I'm coming! I'm ready! Yes, I am!" she must have covered the microphone with her palm but Rebecca still could hear what she was shouting at James.

"Sorry, that man simply loves his food," she gave out a sigh.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yes, Lynn, totally fine. Nothing to worry about."

"You didn't seem that good yesterday evening. Are you getting enough sleep?"

"Yes. Just tired. That's all."

"I said I'm coming!" Lynn screamed, keeping the microphone away but the words still sounded loud enough for Rebecca to hear them. "God... Okay, honey, I've got to go now. Call me tomorrow, will you?"

"Will do."

"Love you! Coming, for heaven's sake!" She heard Lynn make kissing noises into the microphone and closed the call.

The voice announced that the tram was about to leave and then called out the stops. She had to get off at the third one, the Archive.