Family
Elana Pierce
I gazed out past the bay towards the horizon as the sun set, leaning on the bridge’s railing. A gentle breeze blew the salty air towards me, like a memory of my childhood. I’m so glad we made it here. We had a good life on Earth, but living here, on the first real frontier the human race has faced in almost 200 years? This is something else. Truth be told I wish we could have waited for Summer to finish high school, but it just wasn’t in the cards. Other than that…no regrets. We didn’t have a whole lot holding us back.
I felt John coming up behind me. He was certainly a bundle of emotions since we got here. Exhaustion, mostly, but a certain contentment as well. I turned my head to greet him.
“No sneaking up on you, is there sis?” he laughed. “Thinking of California again?” I nodded as he joined me at the railing. “I know you too well. The stories you tell…wish I could remember more of it. Oh well, this’ll have to do.”
“Taking a break?” I asked.
“Yeah, a little one. You too I guess. We deserve it though,” he said, clapping me on the back.
“You certainly do. You’ve barely stopped working since we landed. Nothing you’re not used to though.”
He sighed. “One of these years I’m going to try relaxing. I’ve heard good things.”
“Don’t make me regret letting you push yourself so hard. After mom and dad died…”
“Don’t. We’ve had this conversation a hundred times if we’ve had it once. It was my decision, and I don’t regret it.” He stretched. “Of course, if I turn out all messed up in the head you know I’m blaming you,” he grinned, skipping out of the way as I took a playful swipe at him. “Come on, we should get back. Race ya!” He took off.
“Damnit, get back here!” I yelled, sprinting after him. Little punk. He’s twenty and he still acts like he’s five sometimes.
“Ohhh, can’t catch me! You’re too slow!” he turned around, charging backwards for a second.
“Just you wait ‘til I get you in the water again! Get your scrawny ass back here!”
Ah, my family. What would I ever do without them?