Author: Moxie
Email: [email protected]
Going Home (Part 2: Max)
It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen. The immense ship
stands before us, an imposing figure of black, shining metal.
Like most people on this planet I've never seen an actual UFO
before. That is, except for the one that brought us here, and I
don't have any memory of that one. A long gangway ramp is lowered
from some unseen portal within, inviting us to board.
Michael goes first, barely able to contain himself. He's like a
kid meeting Santa Claus for the first time. Of all of us, he was
the most prepared for this moment. Isabel is next, a bit more
apprehensive, but still plainly excited. She always was the
adventurous one. Then it's my turn. I slowly approach the
gangway, feeling more uncertain with each step. Just as I reach
the top, an image pops into my mind. All I can see is her face as
we said goodbye. Suddenly it becomes clear. I hope they'll
forgive me for what I'm about to do.
"I'm sorry. I can't."
With these four words I've changed the course of my destiny
forever. I'm as surprised as anyone to hear them coming from me.
Isabel and Michael spend minutes trying to convince me before
they finally realize I'm not going to change my mind. I wish we
could have parted on better terms. I'm really going to miss them.
At least they have each other, and all of the answers to our
questions at last. They'll be fine. Maybe someday they'll even
understand.
As I walk the long road from the desert launch site to her door I
wonder what she must be thinking. Is she sad? Hurt? Angry? I
wouldn't blame her if she were any of those things. I brought her
into all of this. I can pretend that I told her the truth because
I had to, but really it was completely selfish of me. I just
wanted to share my secret with her, to be closer to her. I didn't
think about how it would affect us both until it was too late. It
kills me to think that I could have caused her any pain, but I'm
going to fix it now. I'm going to make it all up to her.
She tried to be so brave, but I know her too well. I could almost
feel her heart breaking when I told her about the ship. Or was it
mine? I must admit I was a little disappointed that she didn't
try harder to convince me to stay. I guess she knew how important
it was to me. That's the kind of person she is.
If she only knew how much I cared for her. My choice was made for
me the first time I saw her. I've loved her from that day and I
know now that I always will. And the most amazing thing is, she
loves me too. A life without her wouldn't be any kind of life at
all. My place, my home, is with her. I am more sure than ever
that this is the right path for me.
Finally, I reach her building and look up. If I know her, and I
do, she'll be up on the roof, writing in her journal. I call out
to her, but there is no answer. Maybe she didn't hear me. I try
again. This time she appears at the edge of the roof. I can't
help but smile. Her face is like a beacon of light to me. She
wears an indescribable expression of joy and disbelief. She cries
a solitary tear, which drips down and lands on my own cheek. I
know she understands the sacrifice I've made for her.
Walking away from that ship was just about the hardest thing I've
ever done, but even that wasn't as hard as telling her goodbye.
The End