A mother struggles to deal with the fact that her daughter has chosen to participate in a one-way mission to Mars. Dedicated to my wife, all the foster children we've had so far, and the child that will someday grow up with us. Major Influences: The Martian, by Andy Weir, Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson, and the Mars One mission proposal. Note on technology: the materials science and radiation shielding that I mention in the course of the story are based on things currently under development or proposal. My other posted stories take place in the same universe. I welcome any comments or questions on each section, either from readers or other writers. Thanks

What if time travel is like alcoholism? Shouldn't mermaids have blubber to stay warm in the ocean? These short stories of fantasy and science fiction explore the weird, the bizarre, and the concretization of untenable fantasies. ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ ❂ Abby Goldsmith is the author of an epic dark sci-fi fantasy series published by Podium and narrated by George Newbern. The Torth series begins with Majority, available on Kindle, Audible, and carried by Ingram. https://abbygoldsmith.com/majority

All Holly wanted was to be able to speak up. Something changes when she meets a special someone...and it changes her too.