“Watch out!” Mary’s warning reached him just in time. The automatic sliding door once again had not reacted to his presence. He managed to stop just in time to avoid banging against the glass.
“Shit,” he said quietly. His wife had always scolded him when he used that word.
Outside was the bus belonging to the Radio Astronomy Science Park. The chaperone stood at the door of the bus and took care that none of her charges left the vehicle. She had wrapped her coat tightly around herself. The wind was cold, even though the winter had been rather mild, with no snow so far. Inside the bus, Robert heard the level of noise typical of a school class, which he initially had hardly been able to stand. He had gotten used to the constant chatter a long time ago.
“So, you are finally here,” the woman said to him. She was young, under 30, he estimated. Maybe an intern, or perhaps a young mother. Schools have to save money, too. So they send anyone on these trips who can be spared. He shook her hand and looked at the name tag on her blouse. Her name was also Mary. How practical!
“Hi, Mary,” he said. “I am Robert, but you can call me Bob. Let me show you the dish.” He made a sign for the woman to get in and followed her up the short steps. She was wearing a gray, smooth skirt. Through it, he could see the outline of her panties. He bit his lips.
The driver held out his hand, and he high-fived him. His name was Ricardo, and he was Hispanic. Robert had never seen him outside the bus. He almost seems to be living there. Mary claims he sometimes spends the night in it. Yet Ricardo had told him of his family, so he must have a real home.
“Let’s go,” he said to the driver, picking up the microphone.
Copyright
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Translator: Frank Dietz, Ph.D. Editor: Pamela Bruce, B.S.
Final editing: Marcia Kwiecinski, A.A.S., and Stephen Kwiecinski, B.S.
Technical Advisors: Michael Paluszek (President, Princeton Satellite Systems), Dr. Ludwig Hellmann
Cover Design: BJ Coverbookdesigns.com
Brandon Q. Morris is a registered trademark of the Author.