ADAM

Adam gives Zoey a long heartfelt hug. He doesn’t want to let go. He is not sure he even can.

Zoey finally says, “Adam, I’m going to miss you to, but you are going to have to release me if you want to catch your flight.”

A little embarrassed, Adam releases her, replying sheepishly, “Sorry, got a little carried away. I just can’t believe that I have to say goodbye to my best friend.”

“I know”, replies Zoey, “But we have agreed that we will video chat once a week. Always! No excuses.”

“No excuses, every week”, Adam sullenly repeats.

“That’s right. Now get going before they leave without you”, Zoey says as she steps back, tears shimmering in her eyes.

Taking a deep breath Adam says, “OK, take care, I’ll call the first chance I get.”

He could not bear to prolong the goodbye any longer, so he turns and heads down the tunnel to the launching pad. Without turning back, he raises his left hand and gives a backward wave as he goes through the door. He was glad his parents and sister did not come for the farewell; it would have been too much for him to bear.

As he heads to the launching pad to board the spacecraft that was flying him to Proxima, he hopes the launch won’t be delayed. Adam turned twenty years old last week and he was one of the youngest to be flying out on this mission. He signed a thirty-year contract with Space Discovery to work as a Mechanical Engineer on a newly settled earth like planet called Proxima. The planet is over 4.24 light years away and will take the flight over a year to get there.

It was a difficult decision for him to make, but signing that contract was the only way to make his life, his sisters’, and his parent’s lives better. Even if it meant he had to leave them all behind, including Zoey, the girl he had loved since age sixteen. Growing up Adam had watched both his parents struggle to take care of him and his sister. They both worked as labourers in the large greenhouses owned by Green’s Farm, but the pay was not great. That was why when Adam was accepted for early admission to the Space Discovery program, he jumped at the chance. The pay was excellent, and he could take care of his parents and be set for life once his contract was finished.

Earth was no longer a great place to live, especially if you were poor. Over population and pollution had all but destroyed its beauty, and many people lived in poverty. Space Discovery colonialized Mars many years ago and then used it as a way station to further explore the galaxy, hoping to find a new livable planet for their next colonization project. Many planets were visited but when Space Discovery made it to Proxima this was the planet that most resembled Earth and was chosen as the next colony. There were now over a hundred thousand people living and working there.

Adam did not know that after signing his contract he would meet the girl of his dreams, his now best friend Zoey.

After accepting the position with Space Discovery, he had to move to the company’s school to start his training immediately. It was here in his first communications class that he saw her. His jaw almost hit the floor when she sat in the desk next to him.

Working up his courage, he said, “Hi. I’m Adam.” Sticking out his hand at the same time as he introduced himself.

With the most beautiful smile he had ever seen, she replied, “I’m Zoey. It’s nice to meet you.” Putting her soft hand in his she shook his hand gently. He was extremely disappointed when she let go.

From that day forward Adam and Zoey were inseparable. Adam soon found out that Zoey was doing her degree in Communications, but that she had signed her contract to work on Earth in Space Discovery’s Communication Hub. Adam’s heart broke when she told him. As much as Adam wanted to ask her out, he dared not. He knew if they got involved, he would never be able to leave. Although Adam desperately wanted to be her boyfriend, he settled on just being Zoey’s friend, her best friend.

As Adam sat in the launch thinking about Zoey his heart welled up with loneliness and despair, knowing he would not see her for such a long time. A tear fell from his eye and he brushed it away quickly, not wanting his new co-workers to see how emotional he was.

The launch started and within minutes they were air bound, rushing through the night sky. Soon they were through Earth’s atmosphere, hurtling towards Proxima.

The Captain’s voice came on, “Hi everyone, we had a great take off, you can now all head back to your rooms for your orientation packs. We well be traveling approximately fourteen months, so settle in and get to know one another. You will find your assignments in your packets. Please report for duty at the assigned time.”

Adam found the time long during the trip and missed hearing Zoey’s voice. Due to the high speeds they were traveling at, communication was not allowed.

Settling in for the journey, Adam quickly made friends with many of his co-workers. He was assigned to Engineering and worked six days a week, ten-hour shifts. The work helped the time pass.

At last, they arrived at Proxima and he couldn’t wait to reconnect with everyone again, especially Zoey.

He was allotted two hours a week for video calls. His first call was to Zoey. The connection was slow, but she finally appeared on the screen in his quarters. With a huge smile on his face he says, “Hi Zoey, I made it. How are you doing?”

“I’m good Adam. Missing having you here. Working lots. I’ve been over to see your parent’s and sister a few times and they are doing OK”, she replies.

Smiling Adam responds, “That’s good to hear.”

Zoey grins, “I’ve been dying for you to call! I got big news! I met someone. His name is Joe, and he works as a test pilot. We got married a month ago!”

Adam’s heart breaks. Mustering up some enthusiasm he says, “Congratulations! I’m so happy for you, I can’t wait to meet him. So, tell me all about him.”

For most of his very first video call to Zoey, she talked non-stop about her new husband. It was all he could do not to cry. After they hung up that is exactly what he did. The tears flowed and he mourned the loss of Zoey to another man.

Adam was saddened by Zoey’s announcement that she was married. He threw himself into his work. Their video calls went on and they always talked until the time was up. It is what kept him going and what he looked forward to most each week. It was on one of these weekly calls that Zoey excitedly told him she was expecting. Adam knew then that a life with Zoey would never be.

Trying to move on from his love for Zoey, Adam started dating, but nothing ever lasted. His last girlfriend told him he had a fear of commitment. The truth was there had only been one woman he had ever wanted to commit too, and she was 4.24 light years away.

As promised Zoey and Adam talked every week. She introduced him to her husband and her kids when they were born. He watched her kids grow up via video chat. It was torture for him, but he could not live without the interactions with her.

One weekend, just after the start of his twenty eighth year on Proxima, he called Zoey for one of their weekly video chats, she was in tears and looked terrible.

Frowning, he asked, “What’s wrong.”

Through her sobs he finally understood what she was saying. Joe was killed in a test flight accident two days prior. She was devastated.

After that he started calling her every second day just to chat for a few minutes, making sure she was doing alright, at least that is what he told himself.

Finally, the day arrived, and he was leaving to return home. The week before leaving he ran a few errands and picked up what he hoped would be a surprise for Zoey. He asked her nervously in their last video chat if she would have dinner with him when he got back. She had said, “Off course, I can’t wait to see you.”

Holding on to the thought of seeing Zoey again, Adam prepared for the long journey home. He was still unable to make calls during the flight home, he hoped that Zoey did not have any surprises for him when he got back, like she had remarried. He couldn’t live through Zoey being with someone else again.

At last, he was back. His parents and sister met him at the launching pad, they had a wonderful reunion.

The next day Adam called Zoey to make sure they were still on for their date. They planned to have dinner that Saturday. He wasn’t sure if Zoey considered it a date or not, but he did, and that right now was all that mattered.

Saturday arrived and Adam stood at Zoey’s front door, nervously ringing the bell. Within a minute, he couldn’t believe that she was in front of him giving him the biggest hug he had ever had.

“God, I’ve missed you”, Adam says. Hugging her tightly.

Laughing, Zoey says, “I’ve missed you to. Now let me go and get in here.”

Smiling, Adam forces himself to release her, offering her the first gift he has brought back from Proxima for her.

“Here, I’ve brought you one of the best tasting wines I have ever had. It’s a Merlot from Proxima”, Adam says.

“It’s out of this world,” Adam grins.

“I see your humor hasn’t improved much!” Zoey laughed.

“Come pour us a glass,” she says.

Adam follows her into the dining area where the table is set. Puzzled he asks, “I thought we were going out?”

“No, I want to catch up and we can’t do that in a crowded restaurant. I did order out so you can still buy me dinner when it comes”, Zoey says as she smiles.

Adam has the Merlot poured and offers one to Zoey. Toasting he says, “To old friends and new memories.”

They both take a sip of the Merlot. Zoey’s eyes grow wide, as she says, “You’re right! This is delicious.”

Zoey and Adam sit, chatting like they did thirty years ago, as if no time has passed at all. The food arrives an hour later. Zoey has ordered Italian for them, remembering how much he loves pasta.

Sometime after supper they had made their way into the living room. As Zoey sits at one end of the couch she yawns. Looking at his watch Adam realizes it is three in the morning.

“Oh my, I didn’t realize how late it was. I should get going so you can get to bed.” Adam says, getting up from the couch.

Protesting, Zoey replies, “I’m fine. You don’t have to go.” She follows him to the door.

As he turns around to say goodnight and to ask her on another date, he finds she is standing close to him. They just stare at each other, caught in a moment. Leaning forward he gently kisses her. Adam is incredibly surprised when Zoey wraps her arms around his neck, returning his kiss.

Pulling away, Adam says, “I’ve wanted to do that since I was sixteen years old.”

Staring into his eyes, surprising him, she says, “I wish you had.”

Adam blurts out, “I love you.”

With a shocked look on her face, Zoey reaches up resting her palm on his cheek, saying, “I love you too. I always have.”

Debating what to do next Adam reaches into his pocket and takes out a silk bag. Going down on one knee he says, “Zoey I have wanted to marry you all my life and I don’t want to waste another minute without you.”

Reaching into the silk bag, Adam pulls out a diamond engagement right. He asks, “Will you marry me?”

Zoey reaches down and pulls Adam up of his knee. Looking into his eyes she smiles, replying, “Yes Adam, of course I will marry you!”

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The next evening as Adam sits in Zoey’s living room, with her curled up next to him, he could not believe his luck. Zoey’s and his first date turned out to be their last. Neither of them wanted to waste any more time being apart so this morning when they woke, they found a minister that was willing to marry them that very same day!