Pointing at my lunch, she asked, “Biryani?” I purposefully picked up a mutton piece, showed her and said, “Meat. I love it.” Saying that I che...ed the Meat looking at her. Lakshmi closed her face with one hand and started giggling, looking at me through the gap between her fingers.She then asked me, “Listen. Are you free this Friday evening?” I said, “Not sure. Why?” She said, “There is a wedding reception for my friend’s brother. My husband would anyways not come. But neither am I interested. Ships stopping for supplies at the same time would often end up swapping parts of their cargoes. The resulting trade had nurtured a lively city in space, capable of supplying most of a lonely space hand's needs.The local drinks were nothing but the usual watered-down grain alcohol disguised with flavorings and spices, and after a couple or three had cut the space dust I waved the bartender over. Too old and fat for space duty, he'd elected to stay here rather than take his retirement on today's. Abbie’s attention turns to the shed. And her imagination goes into overdrive. “Tim, what would you think about building a greenhouse on the side of the shed? It could have a door from outside to it and one from the shed. Think of all the flowers and plants we could get started or store for winter in it,” Abbie suggested.Suddenly, Tim can almost see Abbie’s vision for the backyard with new plants, flowers, and yes, a greenhouse. He replies, “There should be enough room for that addition,. I am also raising them alone.My story isn't so terribly sad, compared to the burdens others must bear. I'm thankful every day for all I have; I've suffered, and others have endured more. In short, it could be worse.I married my college sweetheart, Ellen, the week after our mutual graduations. I'd majored in Accounting, she in Business Administration. Our life together was satisfying, sweetened by the arrival of our first child, whom my wife named Marcia, followed two years later by her sister.