In A Starship's Wake

Chapter 13: A Different Worldview

Joseph walked down the corridor toward the cargo bay, a mug of coffee in each hand. He wasn't sure whether Allison really liked the beverage or was just mirroring the two starmens' habits, but she'd taken to drinking a couple of cups every morning. He tapped gently on the metal door to her cabin, careful not to spill any coffee.

"Allison? Are you awake yet?"

"Yes. Hold on." After a short pause, the door slid open. She accepted the mug of coffee he held out and took a sip. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. Neither of us thought to mention this to you yesterday, but on Sunday mornings Tyrone and I usually watch a live broadcast of the service from our home church. It starts just after when we've usually been eating breakfast. You don't have to join us, but you're welcome to if you'd like. I don't know what Temorran church bodies are like, so I can't say how it will compare to the services you've been to before."

"Oh! That sounds interesting." She responded with far more excitement than most associated with a church service, making Joseph smile slightly. "I'll just finish getting ready and come out for breakfast in a few minutes."

Joseph laughed. "Okay. See you in a bit then." He wasn't sure what else she needed to do. She looked about like she usually did when she came out for breakfast. She was already wearing today's dress, which was red with full-length sleeves, and seemed to be finished with her hair. He supposed it wasn't for him to know.

She withdrew with her coffee and he turned back down the corridor, taking a sip of his own as the door hissed shut. Tyrone was already handling the cooking for the morning, so Joseph ducked into the living room to get the feed ready.

Sunday mornings were the thing that most made Joseph question owning a cargo vessel as a career choice. For years attending church had been one of the most anticipated parts of his week. He'd made most of his friends at church, and while he went primarily for the worship service and the strengthening of his faith, it was also where he did the most socializing.

Unfortunately their continuous travel through deep space made actual attendance at a service a rare thing. Fortunately their congregation did live broadcasts of their services. He had always found the broadcasts a poor substitute for being there in person. He still missed the socialization, but at least they allowed him to hear the Word of God; that was the more important piece.

They ate breakfast quickly and filed into the living room a few minutes before ten thirty. Tyrone pulled their few hymnals from a cabinet on one wall and passed them around as the trio found seats on the couch.

The way the camera was positioned in the church let you see most of the members in the pews. Joseph had always questioned the wisdom of that, considering the number of times he'd caught little boys picking their noses. On the other hand, it was comforting to many of the members who traveled to see their families on the screen, like Tyrone. He talked to Justine every night, but nothing reassured him that she was alright like seeing her at church.

Just as he had that thought, she walked into the frame to a seat near the front. Elegant as always, she wore a white dress with lace sleeves and had her hair curled into a tight bun. Joseph concealed a grin as he noticed Tyrone's expression soften and his muscles ease.

"This is my wife, Justine." He pointed her out for Allison's benefit, and the girl nodded. Almost as though she'd heard the introduction, the dark-skinned girl on the screen chose that moment to turn and give a brief wave to the camera.. Tyrone and Joseph both laughed.

Allison twitched in momentary surprise. "Oh, she knows you watch the broadcast doesn't she?"

"Yes, she does. She's been doing that for years, long before they were married." Joseph answered before Tyrone could. He couldn't pass up a perfect opportunity to tease his partner.