Callisto 2.0, Susan English [i love reading .TXT] 📗

The hens were expert roach catchers, patrolling every inch of the room until not even a tiny roach leg would be left behind. Delicious, if you’re a chicken.

◆◆◆

On Friday night, I took a long, luxurious shower, then put on my Earth clothes. I had been wearing the Foundation jumpsuit for so long it felt strange to don jeans, a T-shirt, and the sweater I had worn for my interview with Diana. Trying to tame my unruly hair, which I had continued to cut myself on the station, I scrutinized my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I looked younger—the worry lines, which had I assumed were permanently etched into my forehead, had faded, my skin was soft and smooth, and my usual pale complexion had been replaced by rosy cheeks and a healthy glow. It wasn’t just a consequence of living in microgravity, it was because I was happy. There was the stress and frustration of my research, but the struggle with the warp bubble wasn’t a bad thing—I couldn’t imagine not having problems to solve, challenges to overcome.

Once I was able to put things in perspective, my overarching sentiment was gratitude.

I didn’t have to think about paying rent, shopping for and preparing food, washing dishes, doing laundry—all the mundane daily stresses of life on Earth. Best of all, I loved my community, and felt a part of something truly special.

Yasmin, Berit, Sook, Sasha and I met in Delphi Park. I recognized Sook—she was the shuttle pilot. She had bright eyes and an easy smile. Sasha was an Iranian woman of about fifty, with wavy salt-and-pepper hair, and the look in her dark eyes was deep and thoughtful. As we boarded the metro, Berit said, “You’ll love this place, Calli.”

The bar was crowded and noisy, full of all different types of women, talking, drinking, and dancing on the small dance floor. The atmosphere was vibrant—like we were inside the beating heart of a great, magnificent creature.

“Come on,” said Yasmin, “I see a free table.”

We followed her, weaving our way through the crowd and tables, and sat down. The waitress came over and we each ordered a beer. When she returned with five bottles on her tray, Berit gave her a big smile. As she walked away, Berit said loudly, competing with the ambient noise, “She’s really cute.”

“Berit, you think all the waitresses are cute,” said Sook, rolling her eyes.

But something had caught Berit’s attention. “Check out that woman,” she said, staring toward the dance floor.

We all looked at where Berit was facing. A tall, lithe woman was dancing by herself, her motions fluid and exquisitely defined, precisely in sync with the music.

“She’s gorgeous,” I said, admiring her supple body, perfectly controlled. Just then she turned toward our table, and our eyes locked. She smiled, and I looked away. When the song ended, the woman went to the bar and poured herself a glass of water from a pitcher.

123

Berit nudged me. “Calli, go talk to her.”

“Huh?”

“Looks like she’s alone. Invite her to our table.”

“Why me?”

Yasmin laughed. “Did you not see her smiling at you?”

I felt the blood rush to my face.

“Go,” said Berit.

The woman was leaning with her back against the bar, drinking deeply. Glistening with sweat, her body glowed in the soft light.

Berit gave me a little push.

Running a hand through my disheveled hair, I got up, then looked back at Berit.

“Go,” she mouthed.

I walked over to the bar, fighting the sudden urge to turn and run. “Hi,” I said.

The woman turned to me and smiled. “Hi.”

I scratched an imaginary itch on my forearm and gave her a tentative smile. “You’re an amazing dancer.”

“It’s my first time on the Moon. I always wanted to feel what it would be like to dance in one-sixth G.”

“And what do you think?” I asked.

“It’s incredible!” She set her glass down on the bar and held out her hand. “My name is Amélie.” Her hand was warm and strong, her grip gentle but sure. French, judging from her accent.

“I’m Calli.”

“You have a beautiful name, Calli.”

“As do you, Amélie.” I rested an elbow on the bar. “Are you a professional dancer?”

“Yes, I work with a dance troupe. We’re on vacation. It was always my dream to come here, to the Moon, and now here I am.”

“Are you traveling by yourself?”

“Yes, just me.”

“Would you like to join us?” I pointed toward my friends. Suddenly everyone at my table was deep in conversation.

She looked straight into my eyes. “I would prefer talking to you, alone.”

I felt my face grow hot and shifted my weight from one foot to the other. “Oh, okay.”

“What brings you to the Moon, Calli?”

“I work here, I mean, in an orbital lab. I’m a physicist.”

“A physicist? You must be a genius!”

“I don’t know about that.” I chewed on my lower lip and ran my fingers along the edge of the bar, studying its contours, then looked up at her.

“You have beautiful eyes, Calli the physicist.” She picked up her glass and took a sip of water.

124

“Thank you.” My heart was thumping wildly in my chest, threatening to break out of its bony cage. Was she flirting with me? It had been so long since I had experienced physical attraction that wasn’t one-sided. There was a stray strand of hair in front of one of her eyes. I resisted the urge to brush it away with my hand, tuck it behind her ear. “How long will you be here? On the Moon?”

“A week. I arrived today. In two weeks, we are doing a tour in Australia.”

Over at our table, everyone still appeared to be deep in conversation, but they weren’t fooling me. I knew they were watching us intently.

“Would you like to go someplace quieter, so we can talk without shouting?”

“I would love that.” She caressed my hand lightly, my skin tingling in response. My mouth went dry as I shifted my body closer to hers.

“Let me tell my friends.” This time I caught all four women staring at us. They quickly averted their eyes, and I smiled to myself. “I’ll be right back.” I went over to our table. Everyone looked up at me expectantly. “We’re going somewhere where we can talk, without all the noise.”

“Talk?” Berit raised her eyebrows.

I gave her a light smack on the shoulder. “Do you have any ideas where we can go?

I’m not very familiar with this sector.”

“There’s a park around the corner,” said Sasha. “It’s lovely, and there’s a fountain and a few benches. Go left when you leave the bar, you can’t miss it.”

“Okay, sounds good. See you all later.”

“Have fun, you deserve it.” Berit winked at me.

I walked back to the bar where Amélie was waiting for me. “Shall we go?”

She took my arm. “Lead the way, Calli with the beautiful eyes.”

I felt my friends’ eyes on us as we walked out the door, and Amélie’s hand resting lightly on my arm. When we got outside, Amélie turned to me. I stopped and looked up at her.

“Calli with the beautiful eyes, I would like nothing better than to kiss you right now.”

My eyes widened and my pulse pounded through my veins. I hadn’t anticipated that.

“I wouldn’t be opposed.”

She leaned down and kissed me, her lips warm and soft. I felt like I had been in the desert forever, and she was a tall, cool glass of water. I kissed her back.

“Where to, Calli?”

“There’s a park nearby, where we can sit and talk.”

“How about instead we go to my hotel room? I’m only here for a short time.”

Putting my arm around her waist, I pulled her toward me. Her body was stunning, svelte and muscular, a dancer’s body, and she smelled like springtime, like a field of flowers after a light rain, sparkling in the afternoon sunlight. “I wouldn’t be opposed,”

I said, looking deep into her eyes.

◆◆◆

125

The moment the door to the hotel room closed behind us, Amélie caught me by the wrists and raised my arms over my head, pinning me against the wall, her body pressed tightly against mine. My own body was on fire, blood pounding in my veins.

“I’m going to take a shower,” she whispered, her mouth pressed close to my ear, her warm breath sending shivers down my spine. “Would you like to join me?” I responded with a moan, and felt her smile as she kissed my neck, her soft lips eliciting a rash of goosebumps. She shifted away from me, and I stared up at her, breathing hard. I tried to pull my arms loose, desperate for the feel of her skin under my hands, but she resisted, both of my wrists now tightly clamped in one hand, the other caressing my cheek as she looked at me, pupils dilating with a flame of desire. Then her fingers traced an agonizingly slow path down my neck and between my breasts. Groaning, I pushed my body roughly against hers. She laughed and put her free arm around my waist, pulling me to her. “How about that shower?”

I swallowed, nodding my head. She released me then, and I sagged against the wall, my legs rubber. She took my hand and led me to the bathroom, turned on the shower, and then, as the steam began to fill the tiny room, she reached for me, but I pushed her away, gently but firmly. I kicked off my shoes, peeled off my sweater and t-shirt, then my jeans. Amélie caught her breath as she stared at my naked body. “Now your turn,”

I whispered, voice husky and ragged. As I watched her undress, the edges of my vision darkened, and my brain was enveloped in a fog of desire. It had been so long, and my body cried out for physical connection.

Later, much later, exhausted and satiated, we lay together on the soft hotel bed, our bodies intertwined, my head nestled on her shoulder. My heart was filled with love as I drifted off to sleep.

◆◆◆

When I awoke the next morning Amélie was there, lying beside me. So it hadn’t been a dream. I got up quietly, not wanting to wake her, and tiptoed to the bathroom. After my morning ablutions, I sent a quick text message to Berit to let her know all was well.

She responded with a thumbs up and a wink.

Amélie opened her eyes when I came out of the bathroom, and she stretched luxuriously. My eyes were drawn to the hint of her enticing body under the thin sheet, and I