John tried again. Still no luck. "Tom, you ever seen a solar storm like this?"
"Can't say that I have John."
"Okay, well, would you notify me as soon as we have an open channel?"
"Will do."
John sat back in his chair, holding an ancient solar chart. A gorgeous work of art depicting Rubion and Triste in opposition. If only that was the case now. Solar storms in a dual sun system were common, but one of this magnitude was not. Until it cleared they were for all intents and purposes stuck in radio silence.
Cait watched the reports. Stay inside. Protect yourself if you must go out, all the usual stuff. That is, if you didn't have a husband on the other side of the sector and cut off from all communication. How much longer this storm would persist no one could say. Could be a day, could be a week.
"Mommy?" asked Ariel.
"Yes darling?"
"Is dad going to call us tonight?"
Cait tried to smile. It had been more than a week since John had called. She couldn't recall him ever going so long, and now, with this storm, who knew how much longer it would be. Before, she could always check with the base, and her contacts there would assure her he was okay. She knew they would lie if the case was otherwise, but still it provided some measure of comfort. This time, however, they knew no more than she did, which was nothing. Nothing was hard. And there was nothing to do but wait and hope and pray.
"Honey, dad is on a very important mission and is working very, very hard. And you know what?" said Cait as she reached out to tickle her precocious one.
"What?" Ariel squirmed, tucking her elbows in and giggling, her long reddish golden hair shinning on the waves of gentle curves.
"I have it on very good authority that your dad loves you very, very much and he left me in charge of giving out his hugs to you. Let me see if I have one for you." Cait reached out and took her daughter in her arms, pulling her tight to her chest. Little arms returned the embrace with the enthusiasm of unfiltered belief.
"Mommy, I miss dad." said Ariel, changing her tone as children do.
"I miss him too sweetie."
Categories: Story, John Discovery, Caitlin, Ariel
25 comments:
Click on the image to enlarge it. The only way to appreciate this one.
This chapter seems effortless and by this I mean only that it is so natural. A couple of minutes in time, two seperate scenes happening at the same time and some information to get across and it just all happens so peacefully in spite of the obvious worry that is lurking. Very, very nicely done.
What struck me about this one in particular (besides Cait's ability to put aside her own worries and concentrate on making her child smile) was the part about being able to contact the base for information and that she would always be soothed in doing so. At first, for just a couple of seconds, I was thinking of the individual situations where she would have done this and wondering how she could allow herself to believe knowing it may not be the truth, but then I remembered that this would be ongoing, John would often be out on a mission, and that she, by allowing herself to be comforted in this way regardless of whether what she was being told was true or not, was just plain smart. The acknowledgement that something could happen one day would be quite enough to contend with whenever he was away, she would never be able to function, in her own life, if she lived in constant fear, at the forefront.
If she didn't do what she does, she'd suffer unnecessarily, she would never be able to let him go, be capable of enjoying the time together at home, nor would John be able to do what he does were it not for her approach.
This was another perfect chapter, ie not an inch of room for improvement, that's what it seems like reading them.
Sunshine, first let me say, brilliant comment. Just brilliant.
Several things happening in this chapter. First, we have John, trying to call home after putting it off and now he can't. So, he has to live with his "guilt" for a little longer, thanks to mother nature.
Second, we see strong Cait, again. And your description of how she copes is dead on. John would say, that of the two, she is the stronger and we have witnessed this strength in previous chapters. This chapter shows us the two sides at home. How she deals with her own fears and concerns while at the same time protecting and raising their daughter. And she does a brilliant job on both fronts.
And, we get to meet John and Cait's daughter, Ariel, for the first time. Who knows, we may see her again. In fact, I think we will. :-)
There is an unspoken and underlying energy to this chapter and that is the emotional impact of separation between a parent and a child. Although it is there, this chapter doesn't really touch upon John's emotion (I think we will visit that soon perhaps) but we do see the hint of it from the child's side, especially when Ariel comes back from the hug to "an adult" tone of concern and longing. Her mom knows. She can't be both parents and the hugs are just bandaids until John returns. Between the lines of this chapter is a cauldron of emotion.
As always my Sweetest, your incredibly kind and insightful comments just blow me away. :-)
:-) You always respond so wonderfully.
Putting things off. There already is something that quite easily could take a discussion into the next hour at least. :-) Taking time and opportunity for granted, in other words, if one does this, eventually there will be cause for regret.
I hope that you do touch more upon the separation, it would be on par with the other emotions and reactions being explored simultaneously (Rog, Yul, Mairi, Em, Kyra, to name but a few:) in other characters and events, on par as in equally fascinating.
I may be back with more to say on this one, I'm still boggling between the three (John, Cait, Ariel).
Great writing. I think that Cait is too good for John! Does he know that he does not deserve her??
Not much time just now, but I was just thinking about what it means to love someone for the person that they are, and as they change. All-inclusive. And in doing so, allowing them to be what they are. And about loving others, to the point where one would do anything for them, and that it needs to be mutual to reach divine heights, so that each has permission to be themselves, pursue their passion, unfold essentially. Very vague, I know, apologies, no time, just wanted to note it down so I can come back to it later tonight.
Sweet dreams, xo
Silently enjoyed the in-depth comments from readers here
wondered...
Two great minds or is it one?
if i said the previous image was out of this world...you better supplement me with some adjectives for this one
An ancient chart...wow...love that stuff...how about time travel?
(*_*)
Uma
Will wait for the next one welcoming the New Year... :)
Your images are always GREAT!
Happy New Year to you. May 2007 be FABULOUS in every single way for you and yours :-)
Thanks Leigh, your kind words are always appreciated. May 2007 bring you all the joy and happiness and love and peace you could ask for. Hugs and kisses my friend. :-)
Uma, are you asking me a great philosophical question? Perhaps I could answer, not one but neither two. When I hear the chime of a bell, at what point is the chime me, has the bell become a part of who I am as much as any cell in my body. But then again, was the bell ever not me. Okay, no more philosophy without more coffee. :-D
I too enjoy the comments perhaps most of all, the interaction and sharing of ideas and insights as to what is happening with the characters and the story. Sometimes a reader sees exactly what I see and sometimes they see things I never knew were there and after rereading realize is there. Those are great moments for me.
As for the image, I really liked this one. I was very productive over the last few days and have created about twenty or so images that will make you say wow (they are posted to Trebuchet) and many I suspect will make it to the story.
Happy New Year Uma. Thanks for reading and commenting. Always appreciated. :-)
Jenni :-D
I think John is very humble when it comes to the "good fortune" he has had in his life, no doubt in my mind about Johnny Disco in this regard. ;-)
Thanks for the very kind words on the image. Happy New Year my fractal friend. :-)
Afternoon Sunshine. Beautiful comment and I couldn't agree more. Now, I'm really curious as to what you saw in this chapter that led to this wonderful comment about the nature of love and self-actualization within the context of mutual relationship bound in warm commerce of body and mind. Hurry home and don't forget to cheer for our team. :-)
More on that, promise. Pink champagne in my blood stream means I'll wait a half an hour or so before attempting. :-D
But tell me, how are we doing??!!
PS Happy New Year, sweetheart. Wishing you every happiness, with love, xoxo
Hey You. We're down by six midway through the third quarter so if you don't have your pompoms on, I'd say now is the time. :-D
Shakin' them with all my might! Let me know.
Down by 3 starting the fourth quarter. Keep shakin' it!
where do I click to enlarge again?
Ratched your gaze down about three notches Erin. I'll do the rest.
There are only 5-6 chapters to my knowledge that give us any insight into Cait and John. Perhaps if I were to go back and deeply read them once again, I would be able to point out where the impressions that I hold of the two of them stem from, perhaps not.
I left that comment a little too long to continue in the precise thought that I had at the time, but in any case, as I said somewhere else before, John's love of his family is apparent and complete, but he also has a role that takes him very far outside of that family circle, away leaving them behind, and though they may always be in his heart, there are surely times when they are out of his mind, simply because there is no room.
Perhaps it all comes down to these two things, Cait again very apparently loves John completely and more importantly, there is not a thing about her that indicates in any way that he is not worthy of the way that she feels or the things that she does. I should perhaps explain what I mean a little better, but in any case, as they say judge a person by the company that they keep, John even if we did not know him would shine through Cait's love of him.
I'm certain that they have their share of problems and issues, and I am quite fascinated to hear more about the things that you mention in your comment above, but as a whole, without a doubt, there is an overriding balance here that works.
Sunshine, it's a good relationship (even a special one) but it's not perfect, as no relationship is. John's position creates a fair amount of stress, and truth be known, Cait could live with less status and more John. John, however, still defines himself primarily through his work; and so sometimes they argue the point.
Have I told you lately how much I appreciate how much effort you put into your comments? Well, I do and I love reading each and every one of them, more than once. :-)
Wow, fantastic image! Such a man of many talents...
I liked this but it made me sad that John has to be away for so long. It breaks my heart when a family can't be together.
*HUUUGS & KISSES* to you and Jack!
Karen, thanks for the very kind words on this image. I really, really like this one. As for John, he'll be home soon and you know what they say about absence. :-D
Ohhh yes... I can hardly wait to read about the fondness growing stronger ;-)
Noted. :-)
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