A Roll Of The Dice - 06
This series of narrative fiction is based on random words that are picked via dice rolling.
Baby • Shoe • Favorite • Dessert • Hand • Street • Luck
"Favorite dessert."
"Banana Creme Pie."
"Wait, really?" she grimaces.
"Yeah, I love pie."
"I hate bananas, "she says. "It's a texture thing."
"How are you going to give me shit for liking pie when you just said your favorite vacation spot is Utah?"
"Utah is beautiful!"
"Yeah... it's still Utah."
"You never even told me what your answer was."
"Texas."
"Don't be a dick."
" Fine. Honestly? Costa Rica."
"Not all of us are lucky enough to have been somewhere like Costa Rica."
" You're 28, you said you manage your own team. I'm sure you could afford it now. Instead of blaming luck, let's plan a trip."
"Uh-huh. Let me just plan a trip with this cute guy I met an hour ago. That sounds super responsible!"
"So, you think I'm cute?" He smirks. She rolls her eyes. Just like all the rest.
"Yeah! You know what? Let's have a baby while we're at it!"
"Did I say something to upset you?"
A Roll Of The Dice - 06
If she’s being honest with herself, she'd been a bit hard on the guy. He hadn't been that terrible. It was the text she’d received that put her on edge:
“Need you on-planet. Your mom won’t last the night.”
She checks her phone. Shit.
"Probably not the best sign that you needed to ask,” she says absent-mindedly. She was flirting before, but she’s not in the mood now.
"Ok, I feel like maybe we're getting off on the wrong foot,” he backtracks. “I'm sorry for making fun of the Utah thing."
"It’s fine. I think we're done here, sorry. We can split the bill."
"No, no. Don't worry about that, I'll take care of it."
She gives a fake smile, “What a gentleman." It comes off just as insincere as the smile. She doesn’t care anymore.
"Well, if the shoe fits, right?" He’s still trying to salvage.
"I think you have the shoe on your hand.” It’s not as funny as she intends, and she’s tired of the conversation.
"Really stretching that metaphor.”
"This is really stretching my patience, where’s the waiter?" She’s in a hurry, but he doesn’t know that. Should she have said something? Whatever, it’s not his business.
Silence prevails for a minute or two.
They finally pay.
"Did you park on the street?" He’s not giving up that easily.
"In the lot," she starts leaving.
"Do you want me to walk you?"
“Dude, you’re not getting in my pants," she’s frustrated now.
"Jesus... I’m just trying to be nice."
She softens, "I can walk myself, thanks for asking."
The glowing blue atmosphere of the Earth overhead catches her eye. At least it’s a nice view. She leaves. He watches her go.
If she’s being honest with herself, she'd been a bit hard on the guy. He hadn't been that terrible. It was the text she’d received that put her on edge:
“Need you on-planet. Your mom won’t last the night.”
Back at her pod, a stylized painting of Angel's Landing greets her from her wall. Maybe she'll visit Costa Rica after all. She can spread her mom's ashes on a beach before returning to the colony.
It probably was better than Utah. Plus, Mom always loved the ocean.
She texts the guy, "Sorry about earlier. Bad news from home.”
She didn't really click with him, but there were only so many people in the lunar colony. Best to make amends and keep up appearances.
"No worries," the text comes back. "Friends?" Good, at least he got the vibe. She sighs. She’s tired. She’ll need to pack and get to the spaceport soon. It’s almost 2 AM on Earth.
"Friends," she writes back.
