There goes Superman, she thought.
Chapter 27
Florida
Bella and the girls arrived in Florida, checked into the small beach house Bella had rented, then drove to Kennedy Space Center to get their visitors’ passes and undergo the medical check required before they could visit Jack.
Because they wouldn't be allowed to visit public places, Bella had arranged for the beach house to be stocked with food. She'd ordered board games, supplies to make friendship bracelets, and adult coloring books with colored pencils to keep them busy during the day. Their teachers had also sent homework — assignments they'd turn in when they got back to Houston, so they'd be caught up. The beach house came with a private beach, which meant they could walk or sit outside without the worry of running into anyone.
Bella also busied herself building a Spotify playlist she calledCaptain Jack's Space Music, loading it with every space-themed song she could think of and giggling to herself as she sent the link to his phone.
“You’re nuts,”he texted back, with a squirrel and nut emoji following.
They were allowed time each day with Jack, but they had to wear special masks and distance. It wasn’t ideal but Bella didn’t care. If they told her she had to wear a hazmat suit she would have done it - she was sure she had shoes that would match someplace in her closet.
On the third night there, Bella lay in bed, wishing for sleep when her phone rang. Picking it up, she saw it was Jack. “Is everything okay? It’s late,” she asked as she answered.
“Yes, I couldn’t sleep, and I wanted to hear your voice. Did I wake you? “
“No, I can’t sleep either. I miss you - this bed is too big without you.”
“I hear that. I miss you too, I miss the smell of your hair in my face, the feel of you next to me. But I don’t miss you stealing all the blankets, ha ha.” he said with a teasing tone in his voice.
“Oh ha ha, Captain. At least I don’t snore.”
“Say’s who?”
“Ha! You know I don’t. Anyway, not long now. How are you feeling? Really?”
“I’m excited, anxious, ready to go. I’ve been working towards this for so many years, it’s almost hard to believe it’s happening. I keep praying the weather holds up or there’s no snafus and we have to scrub. How are the girls holding up?”
“I think they are good. I’m keeping them busy, and of course they’ve got schoolwork. They helped cook dinner tonight - we had big salads and chicken kebabs on the grill. They missed you.”
“I know - I miss them too. And you. And Daisy. And Primrose.”
“I love you, Captain Calloway. You should try to get to sleep now. We’ll see you tomorrow.”
“I love you too, Ms. Genovese.”
Jack’s parents, along with Big G, Mary, Angela, and Madeline arrived a few days before the launch. Because they hadn’t undergone the quarantine protocol, they weren't allowedto see Jack in person — FaceTime would have to do. Bella and the girls were off limits too, but they would all be reunited on launch morning. The night before the launch they headed over to say their goodbyes before liftoff. Standing about fifty feet apart, with a barrier between them Bella and the girls joined the other families there. She’d dressed carefully - She'd dressed carefully — a colorful Dolce and Gabbana sundress printed with scenes of Sicily, and wore sandals adorned with little cherries on the straps.
“Bella, you’re a vision!” Jack said to her when he saw her.
“Girls, I’m wearing your bracelets,” he said, holding up his wrist to show off the friendship bracelets they had made for him, the ones that spelled out ‘Astro Dad’ and ‘Space Cowboy’. Bella had contributed one that she made for him. He’d laughed out loud when she gave it to him the night before he left Houston, reading ‘Fire Up the Quattro’ spelled out in beads.
She looked at him across the distance between them.
“Captain. Tomorrow looks to be a good day for a trip to the moon.”
“It does indeed, Ms. Genovese. I’ll be the first man in space with flawless pores.”
“Oh ha ha.”
Sloane and Piper told Jack how they’d been spending their days chattering on in enthusiasm.
Bella and Jack were mindful of the other families around them, so they kept their conversation light and breezy. Finally, it was time to say their goodbyes.
“I love you, Bella. I'll see you on the other side.”
