the folk tales from her book. He didn’t know much Spanish
but insisted that he liked to listen to her read anyway. After
a while, her eyes grew droopy, and she struggled to keep
them open. Tonight, of all nights, surely she could stay
awake! The words on the page started to swim together, and
she felt herself saying things she hadn’t meant to say.
“I wish you didn’t have to go, Up,” she said, her head
falling toward his shoulder. “You’re all I’ve got.”
Through the dimness of near-dreams she felt him take
the book out of her hands, put his arm around her, and draw
her closer. “Same here, Taz.”
She felt the gentle pressure of his head resting on top of
her own, and felt herself give in to sleep. Here, with him,
she would always be safe.
He’d meant to leave her sleeping there, curled and
somehow smaller than ever, when he hoisted his duffle onto
his shoulder and turned to make the long walk to the
docking station where the Starship Eagle waited for him.
But as he turned back, just for one more look, she stirred
and opened her eyes.
Confusion, then comprehension. She sat up. “It’s time,”
she said, and her voice wobbled a little.
Up nodded, not trusting himself to speak. Instead, he
crossed the room in two swift strides and cupped her sleep-
creased cheek with his hand, pressing his lips to the top of
her head. She closed her eyes.
“I’ll be back,” he whispered, and she nodded. He would
do everything in his power to make it true.