Page 38 of Unexpected Adventures

“Uh, Capricorn. Born January fourteenth, nineteen eighty-six.”

“Your constellation can be seen in Autumn. You’re loving, sensual, charitable and susceptible. Yet you’re also shy and lack self-confidence.”

“Sounds like me.”

“And you, Shaun?”

“Eh, can I take a pass?” he says as he seems to squirm.

“Oh, c’mon,” I say. “It’s all in fun.”

He gives in and says, “June twenty-eight, nineteen eighty-four.”

“You recently had your birthday!” I exclaim. The night is August twelfth.

He shrugs his shoulders as if it’s no big deal.

“Is it because it’s the big ‘three-oh’?”

“Nah, I haven’t let it start to get to me… yet.” He winks.

“Well, happy belated birthday,” I say.

“Thanks.”

“So,” Tony starts. “You’re a Cancer. You nurture. You’re also loving and sensual, highly caring, and generous. You’re usually a shoulder to cry on. Your constellation can be seen in Spring.”

“Sound about right for you?” I ask.

“Sure,” Shaun replies, shrugging his shoulders again.

“Not much into the astrology and horoscope thing?”

“Not really. I am what I am.”

“Hey, you two. Come on over to the eyepiece and take a look,” Tony says.

Shaun and I each take a turn, viewing the beauty of the nighttime sky. Tony goes on to explain a few technicalities of the telescope, as well as comparing it to some others at the facility, but it all goes over my head. A techy, I’m not.

Tony manually moves the telescope to give us a few different perspectives. It’s truly amazing what’s out there in our universe, and no doubt, beyond.

“Mind-boggling,” I say.

“Hard to fathom the scope of what’s out there,” Shaun says.

“I was just thinking that. Sometimes I have enough trouble processing the small world around me, let alone the greater beyond.”

“That’s why there are people like me and my colleagues,” Tony says.

As I look again through the eye piece, I notice a shooting star and excitedly proclaim my sighting.

“Better make a wish,” Shaun says.

I produce a silly smile, close my eyes, and do just that.

Another thirty minutes later, we thank Tony very much and decide to say good night, leaving him to his work.

Once out to the Toyota, I ask Shaun if he’s sure he’s okay to drive.

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