Page 84 of Space Cowgirl: Houston, All Systems Go
One more thing to lay at Jules’ door.
Melissa bounces on her toes, hands clasped in front of her. “Ireallythink you could come see the new stuff.”
Her energy doesn’t seem likely to dim, so I give Cookie one last scratch and the last bunch of clover I brought her.
Yes, I went out into the fields and gathered clover for a cow.
No, I don’t plan on ever admitting this to anyone. Least of all Rose.
“All right,” I say on a sigh. “Lead the way.”
She practically dances out of the barn.
* * *
When I finally amble up tothe front door, Melissa is already there and waiting, holding it open.
“Huh.” The usual chaos I’ve come to expect isn’t visible. No boards, no tools, no dust.
Melissa waves me in and I when I cross the threshold, I actually have to pause to take it all in.
“Surprise!” Melissa jazz hands next to me.
“You guys…”—I blink, looking around—“…finished?” I’ve only been gone three days and yet the hardwoods are gleaming, the clutter is gone, even the windows look brighter, like they’ve been cleaned inside and out.
My shoulders actually relax as I walk through the widened archway on my left. The living space is calming with big, overstuffed couches, a plush leather reading chair and matching ottoman. Everything is turned toward the large picture window overlooking West land.
There’s not a plaid in sight.
Melissa pats a pillow on the leather chair, smirking.
I stand corrected, I have a plaid pillow. And I love it.
“Sorry, couldn’t resist. You can get rid of it if you don’t like it.”
“No.” I step forward, then look down on the new rug. It has the most color out of everything here, with varying shades of blue, cream and burgundy. “It looks great.” I also see that in my surprise, I forgot to take my boots off. I jump back off the rug. “Hold on, let me take my boots off.”
“Okay, but just to let you know, you don’t need to.” Melissa bends down and pulls up the corner of the rug. “See, this is thinner than it looks. And it’s machine washable.”
“The rug is washable?”
“Yeah, the comfy part is the thick pad underneath, but the cover that looks like a rug, that’s actually washable.” She lays the rug flat again. “That was Jules’ idea. She thought you’d like being able to keep things clean.”
Suddenly, there’s a lump in my throat I can’t quite swallow past.
“Oh!” Melissa jump-walks over to couch. “Look at this.” She moves a stack of books arranged on the side table. “It’s an old luggage trunk! Jules got it after looking over my original design.” She points to the back of the couch. “I had blankets thrown over the backs, but Jules didn’t think you’d like things strewn about.” She opens the top of the trunk, revealing neatly folded blankets.
Almost in a daze, I move forward and pull the top one out. The NASA emblem is revealed as it unfurls.
“Holt?” Melissa’s small hand rests on my arm. “Are you okay?”
I keep trying to swallow. Still unable to nod.
“Do you not… like it?” Melissa’s young face threatens to crumple.
“No, no. I like it.” I manage a deep breath. “I love it.”
“Oh,” she says, understanding in her voice.
