The three of them walked down a two-hundred-foot ramp to the entrance to the spaceship and were surprised to find Grissom and Janet. Janet gave Sam a big hug, and Grissom shook their hands.
“How is it going with the spaceship? I hear you are just about ready to leave and may do so in the next few days,” asked Janet. Both Janet and Grissom looked at Tom intently.
“We have made a lot of progress and are almost ready to go. We plan on launching in six weeks. We wish we had more time to do more testing, but with all of the natural disasters occurring, it is best that we leave. When it happens, it will be both an exciting day but also a sad day. I will be excited to begin the journey, but I will miss people I know, like you two.”
“That is what I want to talk to you about,” said Grissom.
“Would you like to see some of the Imagine? How are you, Grissom?” Tom warmly shook Grissom’s hand. “What can I do for you? What brings you here?”
“Sam, do you mind taking Janet for some ice cream or snack while I speak to Dr. Burns alone? After I speak to him, I will come and join you and perhaps see some of the Imagine.”
“Sure. Janet, you are going to have an amazing ice cream experience.”
Janet and Sam left to go to the cafeteria.
“Okay, Grissom, what is it that you need to talk in private about? I can see in your eyes and body language how much you love your daughter.”
“First of all, I want to thank you for being so gracious to Janet and taking the time to talk to me. I know things must be very hectic right now.” Grissom started to choke up a little. “Tom, may I call you, Tom?”
Tom nodded.
Turning to Tom, Grissom said, “I have reconsidered my decision, Tom. I would like Janet to join you now. I know she has not had all the training that you and the others have had, but she needs to go with you. There is no reason for her to stay on Earth. The natural disasters of the past week or so have made me realize Earth is dying sooner than everyone thought. Certainly, it is making it more difficult to live day to day.”
Without any hesitation, Tom said, “Janet is welcome to come with us. She has been friends with Sam for a long time. I am thrilled that you want her to join us. Why don’t you join us too?”
“I do not want to leave my wife even though she is dead. There is also another reason. I have a brain tumor. It is inoperable, and the doctors have given me less than six months to live. With all the disasters, doctors seem to be cutting back on care for critically ill patients. I had a terrific life, especially when my wife was alive. Now I need to do what is best for Janet. I think my wife would want her to go with you. If she stays here with me, we would only have six months together at the most and then she would be all alone with no one to turn to. She would probably die at a young age. If she goes with you, I am sure you, Sam, and your wife and kids, can help her and guide her through life.”
Tom was sad. He gave Grissom a hug.
“Grissom, I am sorry about your situation. I wish I could do more for you, but I cannot at this time. When we first started to build this ship, you were one of the first construction people we hired, and you did an excellent job. I will take a DNA sample from you for safekeeping. When we figure out how to cure your disease, perhaps, we can selectively remove a gene that may have caused your problem. If we can do that, perhaps, we can clone you. Janet may face the same situation in the future too, as the disease may be hereditary. You are very brave and courageous, letting Janet go. She will not have to see you suffer and then have to suffer herself without anyone to help her. I promise you that my wife and I will watch her like she is our own daughter and help her grow into a wonderful woman. You have my word.”
“Thank you, Tom. That means a lot to me, and I really appreciate it. Can we go see Sam and Janet now? I have her suitcase with me and will say goodbye today. Tomorrow I have to go see the doctor again. I do hope to come back and do what I can to help you, and then watch you leave.”
After taking his DNA sample, Tom motioned for Grissom to follow him into the cafeteria. Sam and Janet had joined a group of friends from school, and they were eating ice cream, all laughing and having a good time.
“Sam, we are going to show Grissom and Janet a few places on the ship. How was the ice cream, Janet?”
“Wonderful! I have never tasted anything like that.”
“Great! I am glad you are enjoying it and seeing some old friends.”
Sam and Janet got up, and the four of them took a tour for about an hour.
Now came the hard part.
“Janet, please come with me and bring your dad. I will show you to your living quarters. You will be near my family and also near Sally, who I know you have met before.”
Janet now seemed to get a little bit nervous, but she and Grissom followed Tom to her new room.
“How do you like it?” Tom asked. “It will be your new home.”
Janet put her suitcase down and said, “I am sure I will get used to it. I just wish my dad would change his mind and come with me.”
Grissom and Janet looked at each other, and then they both started crying, hugging and kissing.
Grissom hugged Janet and said, “My Janet, my only child, I wish I could go with you. However, I promised your mom two things. First, I would not leave her and will be buried with her. Second, I promised I would take care of you as long as I could. Unfortunately, that part is coming to an end. I have assurances from Tom and Sam that they will look after you and make sure you are comfortable on board. I will be thinking about you every day until I die. I will look up at the stars and know that my Janet is a great pioneer who helped to start a new world. Please make me proud and think of your mom and dad once in a while.”
Janet who was still crying said, “I will always remember you and think of you all the time. Please come with us, please.”
“I cannot. My fate is sealed. Now I am going to leave you to unpack and set up your room and learn more about this wonderful ship. What I have seen makes me sure that you will be kept busy and be happy for as long as you live. Goodbye, Janet. I love you very much.”
Janet was almost hysterical but said, “Dad, I love you always.”
As Grissom turned around and left, Tom put his arms around Janet. He said, “Sam, why don’t you, Sally, and whomever you want, help Janet to unpack and start to learn more about the ship particularly about what to do and expect during take-off. I need to go to the bridge.”
“I will take care of Janet. Thanks for helping her.”
Tom left, feeling the grief of a father in making one of the hardest decisions anyone would ever have to make. He hoped that the next few days of preparations would give his son the opportunity to include Janet, even if the feeling of being homesick tugged at her and she learned how important Sam had become to the success of their mission.
Chapter 49 – Meeting of the Minds
Tom Burns, The Imagine, Rocky Mountains, CO
After meeting with Dr. Sato, Tom went to see Sam, Jose, and Sally, who were working in the engineering room.
“Please give me some good news and tell me you have been able to calculate a flight path.”
“Yes, we have calculated one that took into account all of the disasters happening as well as Earth’s gravitational pull and so forth. We believe this represents the best chance for success.”
“I am sure your data is probably correct, but you realize if you are wrong, we may never end up where we want to go and could fly to some distant galaxy without ever finding a home?”
Jose and Sally looked like they were going to pass out. Their faces turned white.
“Are you serious?” asked Sam.