The space hotel, p.10
The Space Hotel, page 10
“You could let us come back and stay for free,” Sandy suggested. All three of us laughed. Given Swift Enterprises’ involvement in the project, it was doubtful we’d ever have to pay if we returned to Apogee, even if we wanted to.
“We really do want to come back,” I said. “In fact, I can’t wait! Among other things, I owe Sandy a rematch at badminton!”
David smiled again. “You’re always welcome up here,” he assured us. “Have a safe trip home.” He clicked off, and the screen went dark.
We turned and headed for the door again. Sandy yawned. “‘Safe trip’? After what we’ve been through, I can’t imagine any way the rest of our trip could be dangerous!”
The doors whooshed open, and the humid air of the Brazilian night enveloped us. And there, standing before us, was the one thing that could add the element of danger Sandy couldn’t imagine.
“Hey! You are back!” Joao exclaimed, clapping his hands, then holding them up for us. “Give me high five!”
Wearily, we smiled and did as he asked, and he wrapped us up in a big, joyous hug. “I was so worried about you when I heard what was happening up there. Are you okay?”
“We’re fine, Joao,” Sandy said. “It’s good to see you.”
“And it’s good to see you!” He elbowed me so hard, I almost fell over—that’s how tired I was. “I guess my medallion really did protect you, huh?”
I fished it out of my pocket and handed it to him. “It did a lot more than that, Joao. If I hadn’t had it, we might not be having this conversation right now. Thank you,” I said sincerely.
Joao looked at me, puzzled. “It is a good medallion, but I didn’t know it was that good….”
He reached for our bags and took them to the trunk of his waiting car. Sandy and I climbed into the backseat, slumping down against it, our eyes already beginning to close. Joao took his place behind the steering wheel and started the engine. “Ooh,” he said, examining us in the rearview mirror. “You look very tired. I will be sure to give you a nice, smooth ride to the airport.”
“That,” my sister and I said together, “would be great.”
Joao started the car, then gunned the engine fearsomely and the car screeched as it moved away from the curb. Our eyes flew open like pulled window shade. Nothing about this trip has been “nice and smooth,” I thought, unable to keep myself from smiling. No reason to start now!
Victor Appleton, The Space Hotel
