Page 2 of Uprooted
“There’s no one better for the job.” He puffs up with pride.
“If only you weren’t retired,” an eager fan of my dad says. I’m not offended by her obvious preference. She probably thinks I’m a nepo baby.
“Oh no—my exploration days are over. Time for me to pass the torch to the next generation,” Dad says graciously.
The crowd seems to sense that the storytelling portion of the evening is over as they wander away to fill drinks and talk to others in the crowded ballroom. My eyes linger on the group of Tilaks. One smiles back and raises a glass. Embarrassed at being caught staring, I look back to my mom who is now talking to Cedrik, my soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend.
My dad hands her a fresh glass of champagne with a charming smile. She lights up from his attention. Over thirty years of marriage and they still look at each other with googly eyes. It’s gross. And annoying. And a little bit sweet.
Certainly something I don’t anticipate having with Cedrik. He’s a nice guy. Emphasis on nice. We met in the lab and fell easily into a comfortable relationship. He was always around. We could spend hours in the lab in a companionable silence.
However, the decision has been made. I’m going to break it off with him before I leave. I’ve put it off for too long. I considered doing it before tonight, but he was just so excited about coming. This was my little act of kindness, postponing the inevitable.
Our relationship is more casual than my mom would like. Over the last few years, her gentle prodding about my love life has gotten less subtle. I’m looking forward to the temporary reprieve from her well-meaning meddling. She can save up all her hints about future grandchildren for when I get back.
“There’s Dr. Napier. I’m going to introduce myself,” Cedrik tells us and heads towards his target. He’s been hoping for the opportunity to speak with the department head of Agricultural Science.
“He’s a nice boy,” Mom says once we’re alone.
I look around to make sure we aren’t within earshot of anyone. “I’m going to break it off tonight,” I tell her reluctantly.
“Are you sure? I get the feeling he would wait for you,” she suggests, squeezing her eyebrows together.
“It’s better this way. I could be gone for a long time, and I just want to focus on my research with no distractions. And after that, I might not even stay on Earth.”
“I never minded moving around. Maybe Cedrik would want to as well,” she says.
“It’s way too early to suggest something like that. A clean break is better for both of us.” Our conversation is cut short when Cedrik returns.
“How did it go?” I ask.
“He told me to stop by his office to discuss the fellowship!”
I look over to her with my best “I told you so” face. Maybe now she sees Cedrik has his own career aspirations that don’t include following me around from planet to planet.
“That’s great!” I’m genuinely happy for him. Even though I’m calling it off between us, I still want the best for him.
With all the speeches done, I think I've found my opportunity to sneak out unnoticed. I lean closer to my mom and whisper, “How much longer do I need to stay?”
She’ll know if I can get out of here without accidentally offending someone. I’d hate to trigger an interplanetary outrage over something as simple as me wanting to get back to my sweatpants.
“Have you spoken with Chancellor Mietner yet?” she asks as she scans the room for notable figures I am obligated to talk to.
“Yes, right when I got here.”
“Dr. Brunell?”
“Done.”
“Mrs. Gates?”
“Yep.”
“Then you are free to go, my girl.” With a quick kiss goodbye and a promise to talk tomorrow we part ways.
“Want to share a porter?” Cedrik asks, oblivious to what’s coming next.
“Let’s walk. It will give us a chance to talk.” The streetlights reflect off the wet pavement. I dodge the puddles trying to keep my feet and the hem of my dress dry.
