He slid into a booth at the far side of the dining area and dosed his hot black liquid with a liberal amount of sweetener. His mind drifted back to the day he left Earth. He could still see his father beaming at him through the tears and he smelled the soft citrus scent of oranges in the air. They were sitting at a table beneath an orange tree in the courtyard of the visitor's center at the G M ground base.

"Just relax and don't tense up," his father was saying. 'You won't black out that way. Don't forget to… "

"I Won't forget. I don't have to fly the shuttle, you know. Besides, it isn't like it used to be."

"I wish your mother could see you. She would be so proud." "I know, Dad. I know."

"Do you think you could write now and then? I know I don't know much about what you're doing-your research and all-but I like to know how you are. You're all I've got now…"

"The effect of long-term space travel on human brain functions and sleep patterns. I'm part of the LTST project. I told you. 1,11 be fine:-it's a small city up there. And you have Kate. She's here."

"You and Kate. That's all."

"I'll try to write, but you know how I am."

"Just a line or two now and then so I'll know how you are."

A loudspeaker hidden in the branches of the tree crackled out, "GM shuttle Colossus now ready for hoarding. Passengers, please take your places in the boarding arse."

The two men looked at each other. It was then Spence saw his father cry. "Hey, I'll miss you, too, Dad,', he said, his voice flat and unnatural. "I'll be back in ten months and I'll tell you all about it."

"Good-bye, Son," his father sniffed. Twin tracks of moisture glistened on Iris face. They hugged each other awkwardly, and SPence walked away.

Spence still saw the tears and his father standing in his shirt sleeves under the orange tree, looking old Gird shaken and alone.