laika

Sarah Hegg

“I would care.”

“But would you?”

Max felt his stomach drop. Did she really have that little faith in him?

“Of course I would!”

“Then why was I left behind?”

Max tried to find the words, but none came. He looked at her, pleading for some kind of understanding. She gave him a soft look.

“I know you had to get out. Hell, I would’ve if I could. But everyone did. And I was stuck with parents I couldn’t please and no one to help me.”

“I’m sorry–”

“I’m not finished,” The soft look was gone as she continued, “I know you’re sorry. Everyone’s sorry. But sometimes I wish some astronauts came and took care of me. Even for a little while, before I got sent away. It would be nice to not be a part of the world that didn’t want me when I died.”

Laika looked at Max again with a far off look, like he wasn’t even there. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it when he found he had nothing to say. A few beats passed while they sat in silence. Then Laika’s mouth twitched into a soft smile.

“I also love dogs, so I guess that’s why I picked the name.” Laika laughed, a real full laugh, and Max couldn’t help but laugh with her. They could talk about it all later, but now he needed to show her that he was here. That he was going to stay.

When they finally stopped laughing, they ate their meal, reminisced on the past and updated each other on the present. It was like they were 10 again, swinging on the playground, telling the other what they were going to be when they grew up. Only, they had done all those things. But they hadn’t grown up really, not fully. They were still together, so how could they?

When they stepped out into the early afternoon heat, Max remembered the reason they had met up in the first place.

“I actually have something to tell you.” Max said. Laika stopped walking and turned on her heel to meet his gaze, smiling.

“Well, go ahead and say it. Don’t have all day.” Max beamed, despite himself, nervously rubbing his hands together wondering how she would react.

“I’m staying,” He blurted out breathlessly, searching her face for emotion.

“What?”

“New job. I’m moving back home.” Laika looked at him confused for a second before her face lit up. Before he could react there was a flash of pink and tight warmth around his waist.

“Take me to the moon, Max,” Laika joked, burying her face into his chest. Gently, Max wrapped his arms around her neck and held her tight. As much as she was a force in his life, she had yet to realize it. And he would never truly understand it.

“I will. And I’ll bring you right back home.” Max whispered, so only she could hear, because in this moment there was only them, alone in a spaceship headed for the light.