Happy Monday everyone! I hope that you're having a good morning, but if not, here's a little update that I hope will brighten your day.
Chapter Two
That next morning after I showered and got dressed, I walked into my dad's room to tell him good morning. Sue was downstairs making his breakfast, so I knew he was awake. He was scrolling through his air tablet with his fingers.
"Morning dad." I said, kissing him on the cheek.
"Morning Bells," he said.
"What are you looking up?" I asked.
"I'm looking up Outerra. You have two weeks to get prepared and I want to make sure you're ready." He said.
I leaned over the bed and looked at his air tablet.
"Everything there sounds so nice. The air is cleaner, the water is unpolluted, the ground is rich. Bells, you're going to have such an amazing life." He said.
I laughed, "Sounds like it."
"And, it won't be over populated, like it is here. And the inhabitants are all friendly." He said.
"Really? How friendly could they be? I mean, aliens are coming to their planet to colonize." I laughed.
"Apparently, the reason they agreed to this is because their species is dying. And the human race is compatible with theirs." He said.
"Ah, so it's like a breeding program?" I said.
"Hey, I bet you'll meet a nice young Outerrian and live a happy life with him." He said.
"What do they even look like? Do they look like us?" I asked.
He switched to images, only a few popped up. I scanned over the few photos. They looked pretty humanoid; two legs, two arms, proportionate size, no slimy tentacles or beaks, or anything that we've encountered from other lifeforms through our exploration of our vast universe.
"Hmm, they don't really seem alien. I guess that's a good thing." I chuckled.
"Yeah, you won't be able to tell the humans and the Outerrians apart," He clicked on a website on Outerrian culture, "Well, except this. It says on this official website that Outerrians have long tails."
"Tails? Oh, that's a major difference. What do the tails look like?" I asked.
He scanned through the website, "It just says their tails are long and covered in short hair, ranging from dark brown to black. Sometimes a rare reddish color."
I made a slight face, "That'll be interesting."
"I'm glad you didn't chicken out on me. I'm really glad you're going," he said, continuing his research.
"No, after our talk last night I really want to go. It sounds like a fresh start and its exciting," I said, "So I'm going to call them today."
"Your life is going to be a hundred percent better," He said, "Oh wait, don't call, go in instead."
"What? The nearest corporation is in New York." I said.
"No, there's a small company in Seattle. It's barely an hour away." He said.
"Dad if I'm leaving in a week and never seeing you again, I'd like to spend the rest of my time with you." I said.
He put his air tablet aside and tossed the blanket off him.
"Dad what are you doing?" I asked nervously as he weakly pulled himself out of the bed.
"I'm going to Seattle with you." He said.
"No, dad, you're too weak just stay in bed." I said, trying to gently push him back down into the bed.
"Bells, I haven't been out of this house in a month. I know I'm a dying man but, please take me with you. It'll probably be the last time I get out of this bed." He said.
"Okay dad." I was a nurse and I should've told him no. But being his daughter and knowing that he has been stuck in the house for an entire month, I just didn't have the heart to tell him no.
"Let me get your wheelchair and your medication together." I said.
"Can you ask Sue if she can make a lunch? I want to go to Matthews Beach and have a picnic. Like we used to do when you were younger and you mom was still alive." He said.
"That sounds like a great idea dad," I said, "Can you dress yourself?"
"I got it." He said as he threw his legs over the side of his bed.
I walked into the bathroom and put his medication into a tote bag. I also threw in the large picnic blanket we used to use and some sunscreen. I was probably over packing but I wanted to make sure my dad would have anything he needed.
I set the tote bag on the table, "Hey Sue, would you mind packing my dad and I a picnic lunch? He wants to go to Seattle."
"Really? This is the first time I've ever seen him get out of bed in weeks." She said.
"Yeah, we're going to the Colony Corporation that's in the city, then we're going to have a picnic at Matthew Beach." I pulled down the picnic basket from the cabinet.
"That sounds lovely! Oh, he'll have a great time. Maybe it'll perk him up," She said as she started making lunch, "Why are you going to the Colony Corp?"
"Because you are looking at the next passenger on the Mayflower." I said.
"Really? Those tickets cost sixty thousand dollars." She said.
"Yeah, well I was approached by the company and they offered me a ninety percent off ticket."
"Oh wow, ninety percent, that cuts the costs considerably. Why did they approach you?"
"They're offering people with desirable skills this discount. I'm a nurse." I said.
"What a great opportunity Bella." She said.
"Yeah it is," I turned around and faced her, "Sue, could you do me a favor?"
"Of course, anything."
"Please, please take good care of my dad. I'm not sure how much longer he has, but could you please just make sure he's happy and not in any pain? And, for his remaining time here, could you take my room? Just so he's not alone."
She turned around, with a smile on her face, "Of course I will Bella. You don't even have to ask. Your father and I have been close for years, we're family."
I smiled and hugged her, "Thank you so much Sue."
"No need to thank me." She kissed my cheek.
"I am going to have a nurse on call for you too, in case he needs anything or you need anything. And I'll make sure you're all paid up and that this place is paid up as well."
"Don't worry about anything Bella. Your father is in great hands." She said.
"Thank you," I said before walking up the stairs.
I knocked before entering, "You ready dad?"
He was fully dressed and leaning on his walker.
"You look very handsome." I said.
"Well thank you."
I wheeled him to the stairs, then we slowly walked down them. Sue had his wheelchair ready when we reached the foot of the stairs.
"Sue, take the day off." Dad said.
She smiled, "Thank you Charlie." She grabbed his hand and squeezed it gently.
When we walked out of the house, Charlie took a deep breath then sighed contently. I smiled, happy that I could make him happy. Sue and I helped him into the car.
"Alright, I'll see you tomorrow Sue." I said as we pulled out of the driveway.
"What is your destination Ms. Swan?" The VDA said which was called Jane she was the car's GPS and warning for the car. Each car had a virtual driving assistant she was the version for low class cars.
"Colony Corporation in Seattle Washington."
"Calculating Route," it took a few seconds for her find the fastest route, "Take a left turn on Luxington Street in 500ft."
"I can remember sitting in my father's car and watching him type the address into the old iPhone." Dad said.
"Did the iPhone even talk?" I laughed, thinking about how old my father really was.
"Oh, it did. It was this annoying robotic voice. I think it was called Siri was the phone's virtual helper. But it only came on if you held the center button."
"It had buttons?" I said.
"Just one, it wasn't voice activated like the technology today. You have it so easy." He laughed.
Dad turned his attention to the window, watching everything pass us by. It'd been a while since he had been out of the house. And not just because of his illness, but when mom died, he secluded himself.
We found the company easily enough; it resided in a huge building in the center of Seattle. Once we parked I helped dad out of the car. I walked us right up to the front desk.
"Hello," the receptionist greeted us kindly.
"Hi, I'm here to talk to," I looked down at the business card, "Mr. Anderson."
She looked down at her book, "I don't see any appointments here. I can buzz him but he's a very busy man." She pressed a button on her desk control.
"Yes, Hellen?"
"There's someone here to see you."
"Who?"
She looked up at me and I whispered my name.
"Isabella Swan."
"Isabella Swan…" he paused for a moment trying to figure out who I was, "Oh yeah! Let her back."
I gave her my hand so she could scan my I.D. and clear me to go back.
"It's down that hallway, take the first left turn and his door is the third on the right." She said.
"Thank you." I pushed dad's wheelchair back through the doors, running my hand over the scanners to open the doors as we walked to his office.
"Come in!" He yelled when I knocked on the door.
He was smiling as he welcomed us in. He shook my hand and then my dad's.
"Nice to see you again Ms. Swan," He said.
"Nice to see you too Mr. Andersen." I said.
"Please, call me Alistair," he said, "So, I'm hoping this is good news?"
"Yes, I want to go to Outerra. It's an opportunity to start over." I said.
"Perfect!" He clapped his hands together, "I'm so glad to hear that Ms. Swan."
"There's a few things I wanted to discuss though."
"Of course." He motioned his hand for me to continue.
"Yesterday, you said that any bills I had here your company would take care of?"
He nodded.
"Well, I don't have any bills, but my dad does. I want all of his bills paid off before I leave."
"That sounds fair. I'm sure my company wouldn't mind that." He said.
I nodded, "Good, and there's only one more request I have," I licked my lips before answering, "When my father passes away, I want to know. I know the travel to Outerra is roughly a hundred-year trip, and I just would like to receive some sort of message from him and when he passes."
He made a face, "Well, unfortunately, any messages that aren't sent to the ship from family and friends is reserved for guests with platinum passes."
"She will have a platinum pass. I'm giving her a large sum of money and even with the ticket cost, she'll live lavishly on that ship." Dad said.
Alistair's eyebrows raised, "Oh wow, well okay. And do you know about how much you have?"
"56,000, plus a couple hundred. For three months, she'll be set on that ship." He said.
"Oh yes she will. Do you have all the money now? Because since you're here, we can set up lodging, food plans, and all that jazz." He said.
"No, we don't have it here." I said.
Alistair nodded and reached behind him. He handed me a silver platinum card.
"When you do have all the money, go to the bank, and put it on this card. Then you can either come back and we can work out everything or you can go to our website. And I'll set you up with an account right now."
It took about twenty minutes to get my account set up. Alistair took extra time to show me how to do everything.
"Now, don't forget, you need to be here Thursday morning and the ship departs on Saturday. Bring everything you want to bring with you. Clothes, photos, books, anything you want with you." He said as he walked us out.
"Thank you for being so nice and helpful Alistair." I said.
He smiled, "Well, this is a big deal and we're happy to have you joining us." he reached forward and shook my hand eagerly.
Not really leaving it on a cliffhanger I think, just more of a happy note. Anyways, when you finish and you have an opinion, constructive criticism, or just comment leave me a little opinion!