Okay, I have to admit I started laughing when I saw this, even if the ARM program does exist. But here goes.
“I know, Joe, from down there I look like GI Joe with a warped tennis ball with a rubber band wrapped around it, but this mission is real, so get on your game face!”
“Blue planet calling astronaut Ken, come in, Ken doll….can you hear me?”
“Cut that out! Now give me the trajectory I have to set this on and I’ll be out of here!” Ken pushed himself away from the massive asteroid and jet packed his way back to the capsule. He only had a bit of fuel left, just enough to return to the space lab. This mission would save thousands of lives and he didn’t appreciate the frivolity of his teammate.
“Blue planet calling Ken doll, are you in the capsule yet?” Joe loved teasing Ken, especially since Ken hated it. “Ken doll, come in.”
Ken arrived inside the capsule with no problems. He thought the space lab could easily jettison enough pressure to send the asteroid out of Earth’s way. If not, they would tow it far enough away from Earth to cause no harm. Everything was set up, now it was up to the lab to finish the job. Ken set the panel to return to the space lab when he noticed some type of force pulling him back to the asteroid. He pushed a few buttons and grabbed the controls more forcibly. Nothing seemed to work except the pull of the asteroid. The more pressure he exerted, the stronger the pull.
“Ken doll, come in, I say again, are you in the capsule?”
“Of course I’m in the capsule! Can’t you hear me? I’m being pulled into the asteroid!”
“Ken doll, come in, Ken, are you all right?”
Ken started to panic. He was a certified, trained astronaut, so remain calm, he told himself. The asteroid was getting too close. Can’t they see what’s happening to me? I need some help! “Mission ARM, come in! ARM, come in! I’m in trouble here, guys. I need you to respond!” The capsule started going faster towards the asteroid. Ken had no control. He braced himself for impact.
Suddenly he felt a huge crash, but the capsule stayed intact. Then nothing. Ken could barely see out of the small capsule’s window. He seemed to be going away from the asteroid now. What the hell was happening? Then movement again, and another crash. This time Ken bumped his helmet on the window. Now he was drifting away again.
“Ken doll, what in hell are you doing? Come in!”
The space lab reported “Blue Planet, come in. We seem to have a problem. The tether for the asteroid is holding the space capsule. We knew there might be a problem using that rubber band system.” As they watched from the lab, they saw the capsule bouncing back and forth on the end of a tether. They set their controls to rescue the capsule.
Joe couldn’t help himself. “Ken doll, this one’s for you”….and played Bobby Vee singing “Rubber Ball” over the intercom.
He sat on the hay bale and looked back to the house. Feeling so sad he could barely keep tears from coming. He was staring at his legacy, all of this lying before him. This place where he grew up, roamed the fields, fished the streams with his dad.
How could he give this up, remembering the adventures he shared with his brothers. They were pirates swinging on ropes in the hay barn, or racing paper built boats in the brook. He had to come up with an idea that would save these memories. He wanted his own children to have these experiences.
He was only twenty, he didn’t even have a girlfriend. He was too busy struggling with classes at the community college and working at a laborious job to pay for it. He had no time for luxuries, and now this. The death of his father brought more than sorrow. It meant the farm could no longer be supported by family funds. How could this be, having to let go of this land, this life?
The real estate agent was pressuring him for a decision. The problem was he didn’t think he was capable of deciding.
The evening was on. Music, candles, perfect meal devoured, and now for dessert. Not the kind of dessert you might think, but the kind you can savor all night, night after night. If not physically, but in your dreams and thoughts. Remembering every detail, every touch, kiss, and feeling them again in your mind. This is food of the gods at its best. The scents, flavors, and lingering delights of a very unique dessert, served only for you.
Was it their role to become lovers, or was it a miscalculation of both their hearts? The rule made in stone was never to encroach on another’s possession. The rule of the many, even if not the self righteous. A rule that vowed foreseeable danger to all involved. It wasn’t their intention at the start. A heart had been pierced with abandon and searched for a way to heal. There is room for pity for this union, but no remorse.
Tell you something good on a Monday? It’s the last day of January, tomorrow, here in the USA. For many of you it’s already the 31st. I say thank heavens this month is done. Not my favorite for a lot of reasons….but Hey!
February is almost here and tons of great things are going to happen. Here’s my list, let’s see yours!
February 6– my daughter’s 24th wedding anniversary, married to a near perfect man – why only near? Well I don’t want him getting too comfortable with himself ; )
February 13-my oldest and funniest sister’s birthday
February 14-oldest granddaughter turns 21, and she is the sweetest Valentine!
February 20-my daughter’s birthday, her age? I’ll never tell. That would be rude-46
Plus, it’s a short month, and payday is early, Yea!
The Bag Lady 
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