The day was brisk, reminding me that fall was coming to a close and winter was just on the horizon. The path we were on led us out to the busy sidewalk going down the street. It was just after one in the afternoon, so most people were hurrying back to their jobs from lunch. The whole way my brother made a hilarious commentary on the lives of people we passed, and even the ducks in the pond. Still, he wasn’t as buoyant as usual.
“Something’s on your mind,” I murmured.
Jaron flashed me a surprised look, and I huffed out a little laugh. “You’re my brother, and I may spend too much time inself-pity these days, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know when you’re bothered.”
He was silent for a moment and I waited. He would tell me when he was ready. “You know how I was going to ask Amelia to marry me?”
“Yes.” I carefully kept my tone neutral.
Jaron sent me a knowing look. “I decided it was better to break it off now than regret what I’d done and have to go through a sticky divorce.”
My eyebrows flew up. “But you love her.”
Jaron looked miserable as he shrugged his big shoulders. “You can love something that’s unhealthy for you.”
I swallowed down my exultation at the news. Jaron deserved someone so much better than Amelia and I was glad that he’d finally come to his senses. He was smart and adventurous and Amelia was…high maintenance and demanding.
“I’m proud of you. A decision like that… most people aren’t strong enough to make it. But it’s a good decision. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, Jaron.”
His easy grin returned. “Dang, that’s high praise coming from you. Considering how many people you call fools.”
I laughed. He wasn’t wrong.
We made our way into a hole in the wall restaurant set just off the main thoroughfare. There was no sign, only a plain wood door set in an alley, but it was always busy.
We slid into our usual seats and a tiny woman with deep wrinkles and dark olive skin padded over and set out bread for us. She told us the special and we ordered.
“What do you think about the upcoming elections?” Jaron asked when she was gone.
I shrugged. “Does it matter? We’re not the ones voting for them. Each country's elected officials vote on who should be on the Triplanetary Consortium government and half the time Iwonder how good our own elected officials are let alone the ones they vote into the Consortium.”
“I don’t know. I think it’s something to keep tabs on. So far, we humans have been fairly conservative in our interactions with alien species, and few come here. And if they do, it’s usually because one of the conglomerates is hosting them. I would really like to see more open trade and flight paths so not just the ultra-wealthy and powerful can experience the galaxy and other cultures. As of right now, regular humans only get to experience interplanetary travel if they travel to one of the other human planets. And trips between us and New Earth or MX-717 can get expensive.”
“I can get behind that, but I don’t think it will happen for a long time.”
We went silent as our food came out. Then he said, “it might if we get the right people in during the election coming up in two years.”
I thought about it. “A term for those on the Consortium government is twenty years, right?”
He swallowed a bite. “Twenty-five.”
“Maybe I should pay more attention. But what would it matter when we don’t vote for them, our planetary governments do?”
“Most of the world governments still listen to their people when we gather in agreement. I think it’s a worthy cause to champion.”
I leaned forward and rested my elbows on the table, chin on my clasped hands as I stared him down. “Are you going to tell me you want to become some sort of lobbyist?”
He flashed a grin. “Would you help me if I did?”
My gaze drifted to the side, taking in the rustic décor without focusing on it. There was a lot of change that needed to happen. “Yes.”
“Well then, to a new adventure.” We toasted our waters and Jaron flashed a nostalgic smile. “Do you remember when mom would take us out to the country to have adventures?”
I groaned. “We thought we were pioneers of ancient times, trying to light fires with flint and going around with sticks we’d tried to make into spears, and riding only half-tamed ponies.” The arm that I’d broken when I was thrown off the back of one of the temperamental little beasts still ached when the weather got cold.
“She really encouraged our imaginations and adventurous spirits.”
My smile was soft as I thought about Mom. “She was the most incredible person.” She made us think critically and give her a solid argument for anything we wanted. “Just because” didn’t work on our mom.
