I’m not planning on doing much today. We need to get more groceries, it seems. We’ve been feeding a lot of people. I thought we had a private line... though.”“We do. All that means is that we’re not on a party line, where multiple people share the same phone line,” Beth said.“Oh. That’s an error on my part, then. I thought a private line meant our phone number wouldn’t be available to others, unless we gave it out. We’ll have to get that changed, and quickly.” I had a thought. “Mike, with you in. “Women do take less reaction mass to put into space, cause we’re lighter, and women handle microgravity and radiation and-”“Guys!” Marcy broke in. “Hot’s escaping!”Tabby and I spun around and saw the hatch close. Seal. Click.And the entire bridge was jettisoned from the Cockhammer by a series of timed demolitions – sending us tumbling away from the space station and into freefall! My arms cartwheeled as I tried to keep balance – since the explosions had imparted a lot of spin to the bridge,. . We’ll need to play it by ear. I think my mom would be okay with us sleeping together. My dad’s a tougher nut.”The cabin crew closed the door and began running through the aircraft’s safety material. Jeff felt the wheel brakes release and the jet was pushed back from the jetway. After several minutes of taxiing, the craft sat poised for takeoff.“I hate flying,” Chelsea said.“Flying isn’t so bad. It’s the takeoff and landing...”“That’s for sure.”The engines revved up and the two were forced. I wished them well. I’d gotten a goodbye kiss from her as she sashayed out hand in hand with Ronald. I noticed Penelope watching the proceedings. The environment, 2nd Baptist, held memories for me; I had to believe that they did for her as well, but who knew for sure.I did join my gang after the couple skedaddled. We were drinking and hurrahing the place for some time. The gathering had included a good hundred and fifty people but dwindled little by little. We were among the last of the crowd.