Learning to Dance

She turned to see Rosie, slimmer than she’d ever seen
her, standing with her hands in her lab coat pockets and an
analyzing look on her face.
“Hi,” she said, her mask slipping a little. She stuck her
hands in her own pockets.
“I thought you were off fighting robots on the Bright
Eye,” said Rosie. Her voice was not friendly.
“I was,” Taz said, looking at the ground now, anywhere
but those accusing eyes. “I’ve been – I’ve been reassigned.”
Rosie wasn’t an idiot, she could see the newly changed
insignia on Taz’s uniform, and she would know what it
meant. “It’s been a long time since you left, Taz.”
A moment of silence. “How-” she stopped. “How is he?”
Rosie seemed to contemplate her answer. “I think you’ll
see the difference in him.”
What does that mean? “Will he see me?” she asked,
before she could regret it. She wouldn’t blame him if he
didn’t want to. She was almost hoping he wouldn’t.
Yes, she was a coward.
Rosie sighed. “Of course he’ll see you,” she said, and
Taz frowned. “He’s still in the same room.” You know
where it is, her eyes said, and it was another accusation.
“Thank you, Rosie,” Taz said, and now it was decided,
she would have to go in. She sought for something else to
say. “How are – how are your little ones?”
“Ty starts school this year,” Rosie said, her eyes
softening just a little. “And Ree has already decided that
she wants to be a Starship Ranger just like her daddy was.”
Taz tried to smile, though it felt rusty and odd on her
face.
“Go on,” Rosie said. “Just – don’t expect -”
The doctor shook her head and clamped her lips shut.
Taz, a little perplexed, nodded and took that first step
forward. Then another. Soon enough she was walking