|
"Laura's Dream" |
| Copyright Francis Blow, 1986. |
| CHAPTER 25 |
| Laura and Gran packed the last of their bags, and put them by the door, ready for the bellboy to collect when they called him. Laura lay back on the bed, hands behind her neck. |
| "You know, Gran, this has been a pretty interesting holiday." |
| "Is that all? Interesting my left foot! Most people don't see half as many interesting things in their lifetime as you've experienced in the last few days." |
| Laura giggled. "Well, the most important thing is that the police found Wahine and brought her back to me. I don't know how I could have left her back in that farm house." |
| "Could it be you had other things on your mind?" |
| Laura changed the subject. "Why do you think Toriko called all the way from California just so we'd agree to see a friend of hers?" |
| "Who knows. Maybe he's an insurance salesman?" |
| "Oh, Gran!" Laura sighed, and looked at her watch. "Whoever he is, I hope he's here soon. The plane leaves in three hours." |
| "It will be too bad if he's not," Gran shrugged. "How about I ask the desk to send up some lovely Kona coffee?" |
| |
| Half an hour later, there was a knock on the door and Gran admitted two men. One said he was Senator Kichin Togawa, and he introduced the other man as Major Tom Besser. They all shook hands, even the wide-eyed Laura. |
| "You're an astronaut! I saw your picture in Time." |
| The Major grinned at her. "That's right, Laura. You're a bit of a celebrity too, you know. Kich and I were hearing about you on the news before his friend... Toriko? Before Toriko called him. We called the local FBI office and had you investigated." |
| "Investigated?" Laura stared at the expressionless Major's face, until the Senator explained. |
| "What this prankster is almost trying to say, is that we wanted to learn more about you. You see, there's something new about to break. The President has announced that we're about to begin negotiations with what's left of Russia's space administration. With their knowledge of heavy-lift space ships, and our own expertise, space exploration and commercialisation is about to expand enormously.' |
| The two men waited for Laura and Gran to absorb what had been said. |
| "What has all this to do with my grand daughter?" |
| "We're looking for young people who are able to symbolise the future. Young people who are willing to actively promote an expanded space programme." The Major replied. |
| "Who is the We you're talking about?" Gran asked. |
| "NASA, with the President's backing." |
| "Excuse me," Laura found her voice once more, "What does that have to do with me?" |
| "We know you're about to return to Australia, but we're hoping to change your mind." The Senator put his hand on Laura's shoulder. "We want you to come with us to the mainland, to do some interviews and to take part in promoting the programme. We already have a few kids from the States, but a fifteen year old Aussie girl who flies, knocks helicopters out of the sky, catches crooks and rescues children is good press." |
| Laura looked from his face to the Major's. She did not know what to say. Her stomach was fluttering with excitement. |
| "Laura," Gran caught her attention, "if you went home now, it's back to school, Venturers, flying lessons, Doug and your family. On the other hand, if you stayed awhile in the States, you'd meet people who will help you build your dream. What do you want to do?" |
| Laura's brown eyes went wide as she studied each adult. |
| "I want to be an astronaut." She said, and went to the phone to place a call. The End (Perhaps) |
| Author's note: |
| The Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia, is where I'm living at the time of publishing this story on the Internet, and it is one of the nicest places to live anywhere in the world (My opinion, only). |
| Obviously, this story is fictional, as are the characters, but very loosely based on events and experiences in my own life. |
| This story is copyrighted, and may not be used without permission, which can be obtained by contacting me: |
| [email protected] |
| Exceptions: Schools and religious organisations may use material for educational purposes, but not for republishing. |
| Life is but a dream, so live your dreams. |
| Love to all, from Frank. |
