Page 63 of Atmosphere

“I can be funny, you know.”

“No,” Donna said. “Nobody knew that.”

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After dinner, Kris waved Joanover to one of the tents and showed her that Frances had fallen asleep with Julie in Julie’s sleeping bag. They were still in their day clothes, covered in dirt. Frances’s hair was in knots, chocolate on her cheeks.

Joan watched Frances snore with her mouth open, her little hand holding Julie’s as they slept. It passed through her mind that she wasn’t sure how often Frances got to see her friends outside of school.

“Do you want me to carry her over to your tent?” a voice said softly, from behind her.

Joan turned to see Griff.

“They’re okay,” Kris said. “Let her sleep. Julie does this all the time with her cousin Linda. She thinks she’s being sneaky, but it’s the only time she puts herself to bed.”

Joan laughed. “Okay, you sure? You want to come get me in the morning when she wakes up?”

“They’ll be fine,” Kris said.

Griff nodded toward the lakefront, and Joan followed him. The night air was warm, but there was an easy breeze. The sky was clear, the tops of Cygnus and Aquila straight ahead of them, behind the trees.

In the distance, Joan watched Vanessa, on the edge of the dock, having a beer with Steve. Joan felt like a moth that knew what a flame could do to it.

When Joan turned away from the sight of Vanessa, she saw Griff watching her.

He was quiet until they were farther away from the group.

“I wanted to tell you that it’s okay. I’m good, you don’t need to give me space anymore,” Griff said.

“Are you sure?” Joan asked. “I’ll do anything you need.”

Griff nodded, appreciatively. “Have you ever been in love?” he asked.

Joan could not look at him. “No, I don’t think so.”

“Well, it’s like a bad cold: it’s miserable and then, one day, it’s gone.”

Joan laughed.

“All I’m saying is, let’s put it behind us.”

“Put what behind us?” Joan said, smiling.

Griff laughed. “Thank you.”

“You really are the best guy I’ve ever known,” Joan said.

“Well, let’s not start with that,” Griff said.

“No, I just mean…” Joan said. “There aren’t many men in my life, really. Aside from my father and the rest of…these guys. But you are good. You’re a good one.”

“Well, I try to be.”

“I know you do. And I’m honored to be your friend. I really mean that. I’m honored to work with you.”

“I feel the same.”

“So can we go back to walking over to JSC together?”

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