Ann left
Flynn in the cockpit, adrenaline already pumping through her, and she barely
resisted the urge to jog to the upper airlock.
Wish Flynn was better at the yoke, but not
everyone can be me.
Just before
the airlock she met Lita carrying a mess of biosensor pads.
“I’m going
to monitor your vitals closely during this.”
Ann rolled
her eyes but knew better than argue with the Doc. “I think you just want to see
my skin.”
Lita gave a
small, knowing smile. “I can see your skin anytime I like, girl.” She sounded
confident, but Ann caught a hint of quaver in her voice, suggesting she was
remembering the other night.
“Then you
better be ready for when I get back.”
“Your blood
pressure is high, and I’m reading elevated neural activity.” Lita checked her
slate.
“Uh huh. Of
course it is.” Ann sealed her suit again.
“Don’t get
lost in what you’re feeling. Keep your head in the game.”
“Yes,
Mother. Captain Killjoy has already given the safety spiel.”
“I’m not
talking about that. I know what this means to you. He doesn’t.”
Oh, sure, throw a moment of weakness back at
me. Hadn’t meant to tell her.
“I know. My
head is in the game. More than you know. To fly like this . . . I’m all in.”
“You and
your gambling,” Lita shook her head. “Make sure you win this . . . what do you
call it?”
“Hand.”
“Right.
Good luck.” Lita leaned in and kissed Ann lightly, then stepped back
immediately, her eyes darting into the locker before the airlock.
Still self-conscious about others. Have to
do something about that. Later.
Ann stepped
into the locker, adrenaline pumping even harder as she was one step closer to finally
being able to windsurf.