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Epilogue I
Derek
I sat on the couch in front of the TV, helpless, completely powerless, at the mercy of people I had no control over. My stomach was all over the place, made of pure acid, and my breathing was uneven, sometimes deep, sometimes not happening at all.
The rocket was hooked to the dock, the initial phase of the boosters on, the countdown in the corner.
The Commodore.
I’d done five tests over the last year, and every single one of them was a success after I made my changes. Once every box on the checklist was completed, I handed it over to NASA. Now I was at home and on the couch, tremors in my hand because I couldn’t keep my composure, not even in front of my family.
“The Commodore is ready for launch. Ten…nine…eight…”
I sat with my arms on my thighs, my hands on my knees, my heart racing at the speed of light.
Emerson was beside me, watching the screen.
Lizzie was on the other side, quiet.
My parents were on the other couch, not saying a word.
“Seven…six…five…”
Jesus fucking Christ, this was torture. If this rocket exploded…that would be the end of the road for me. I couldn’t live through something like that again. I couldn’t show up to class with two catastrophic launches.
“Four…three…two.”
Just breathe in, breathe out.
I was invited to the control room, but I knew that would make me feel worse, watching everyone work without actual control over what they did. All I would be able to do was stand there and hope for the best.
I’d rather be at home with my family, especially if it went haywire.
“One.”
The thrusters ignited, a storm of flames, the vibration of the ship visible. The docks came apart and pulled away, leaving the Commodore on its own to launch. It started to move slowly, the fuel raising the tons of weight toward the sky.
“We have lift-off.”
My eyes were on the screen, watching the Commodore break away from the ground and rise toward the sky. My breathing was deep and even now, afraid to blink and miss a moment.
Lizzie reached for my hand and grabbed it.
My fingers interlocked with hers, and I squeezed her hand.
Emerson grabbed my other hand and did the same thing.
Together, we watched the rocket leave the earth, launch past the clouds, become a distant dot on the camera.
And make it.
Epilogue II
Derek
I walked down the hallway with Emerson, both of us carrying the things I would need for my demonstration. We passed doors with little windows at the top of each one, showing classrooms full of students with an instructor at the front. The tile was checkered black and white, and there were glass displays showing trophies for the school.
I stopped when I recognized one.
Emerson came to my side and peered inside. “Oh my god, is that you?”
I smiled. “Yep. I won the International Science Fair that year. I’m surprised they still have it up.”
“Probably because you’re famous, Derek.” She nudged me in the side playfully before she continued to walk, wearing a long-sleeved sweater dress and heels, her figure incredible, especially with that noticeable bump in the front.
I stared at her ass before I turned to catch up. “I’m nervous.”
“How is that possible?” She stopped in front of Lizzie’s classroom and turned to me. “This is what you do, Derek. You teach.”
“Yeah, but it’s career day, and…I don’t want to mess up and embarrass Lizzie.”
Emerson’s looked at me with soft eyes, like nothing I could ever do would embarrass either of them. “She wouldn’t have asked you if she didn’t want you here. She’s very proud of you—as am I.”
My wife loved me no matter what, believed in me when I forgot to believe in myself, and through the best and worst, she was still there. She worked by my side every single day, carried my baby, and pushed me to keep writing even when I doubted myself.
Her hand went to mine, her fingers resting over my wedding ring. “Just pretend you’re in your classroom. You’ll be fine.”
I nodded. “Alright.”
She smiled then turned to the door and opened it.
The classroom was full of teenagers, fifteen-year-olds. Mrs. Lemon leaned against her desk and gave me a gentle smile as the previous parent finished up their presentation. The mother wore a gray suit and discussed her private practice as a litigator in the city, discussing some of her cases and why upholding the law was so important.
I stood near the wall with Emerson and patiently waited our turn.
When I turned to look at Lizzie, she was in the third row, and as we made eye contact, she smiled and gave a wave.
I smiled back, a little less nervous.
The lawyer finished her presentation, the students clapped, and then she excused herself from the classroom.
Emerson and I placed our things on the counter so we could set up. I pulled out my model rocket and set it in the center.
