By the Grace of God (Roll Call Post)

Posted on Sun Jan 7th, 2024 @ 6:33am by Lieutenant Commander Rin

Mission: Back Home
Location: Home of Rin's parents, Earth
Timeline: Christmas
584 words - 1.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Bradley and his daughter, Amelia, sat in the living room drinking cocoa and sharing small talk. Amelia’s eldest son had just graduated from college and was hoping to get into a good biological graduate program. Bradley was showing off the latest ship model he had built.

Ella, Bradley’s wife and Amelia’s mother, stepped out from the study. “Just finished talking with James. He wishes everyone a Merry Christmas.”

There was a pause. “Did he… have anything else to share?” Bradley asked.

Ella gave a small, sad smile in comfort. “No, I’m sorry. Nothing since we last spoke. Honestly, he didn’t sound great. I’m worried about him.”

“It’s just…are we supposed to remain hopeful?” Bradley asked, mostly rhetorically. “It’s tearing that man apart. Can we really expect a second miracle?”

There was an awkward silence. What more could really be said about a daughter who had been lost not once but twice? What parent could relish accepting a daughter’s death? And yet, was it foolish at some point not to do so?

“Perhaps,” Amelia ventured, quietly, “This is a blessing in disguise. Accept this as closure. You were given a chance to speak with her, to visit with her, but that time is gone now. It was a temporary respite. She has moved on, and so should you.”

“Do not start this again,” Ella warned.

“Mom, you and Dad are not getting any younger. It weighs on you. It always has. For 34 years you’ve been hoping for a miracle…”

“A miracle we received.” Ella’s voice got sharper. “Somehow, you have found solace in refusing to acknowledge your sister. We have attempted to give you space on the matter…”

“My sister has been dead 34 years!” Amelia exclaimed. “You think getting that news was any less hard for me? I looked up to her more than anyone, and then one day she was gone. I still love Nicola, but she is a memory. An old memory. Yes, Mom, I have moved on as much as anyone who loves someone can. And I keep praying so will you, both of you. I wish you to find some peace rather than having your hearts broken *again* by that shell of a thing wearing Nicola’s face.”

“Stop it,” Bradley snapped, pointing an angry finger at his daughter. “You’re not going to talk about Rin like that in this house.”

“Rin is not my sister!” Amelia yelled. Rising to her feet. “Nicola died. She passed on. The dead don’t revisit their bodies. We’ll see her again, one day, by God’s grace, but not in this life. Rin was, I don’t know, a technical glitch? Hardware trying to figure itself out? Even it barely thought of itself as Nicola. It didn’t act like her and certainly didn’t remember her. And now I’m helplessly watching my parents be buried in grief for it, and I don’t know what else to do.”

A long, heavy silence settled over the room.

“You can get out,” Ella said quietly, but sternly. “I had hoped you would be civil at least about her disappearance, if nothing else.”

“Hold on,” said Bradley. “Let’s all take a moment, catch our breaths, take a moment to consider how we all want to spend Christmas.”

“No need,” Amelia replied, throwing on her coat. “Mom’s made her opinion clear. I've no wish to further upset anyone. Merry Christmas.”