Journey Between Worlds by Sylvia Engdahl Read Free Book Online Page A

was interrupted by the loudspeakers. “Paging Melinda Ashley,” they blared. “Melinda Ashley, please come to the passenger service desk.”
    â€œExcuse me, Dad.” I pushed through to the other side of the line and crossed over to the center of the rotunda, where I could see the Passenger Service sign. “Phone call for you, Ms. Ashley,” the girl said, motioning me over to one of the phone booths that ringed the desk. I punched in the code she gave me and the view-plate lit up. It was Ross.
    I was so relieved to see him that for a moment I couldn’t speak. I’d given up hope, had been convinced that I wasn’t going to hear from him before I left, and now he’d called after all. At the very last minute—how like Ross!
    â€œSo you really meant it, Mel,” Ross said. “I didn’t believe it, till your grandmother told me where to reach you. I was going to ask you to go to Portland tonight for that dinner we missed.”
    I wondered if that was true, and then suddenly knew it was. Ross expected me to be there, waiting, whenever he decided to make plans. It had never occurred to him that I wouldn’t be; I always had been before. He’d stopped being mad and was ready to forget the whole topic of Mars, and he was assuming that went for both of us.
    â€œI did mean it, Ross,” I said. “We lift off a little while from now.”
    â€œSo I see.” He looked rather helpless and confused, as if he hardly believed that I could defy him. Ross wasn’t used to that.
    â€œPlease try to understand,” I pleaded. “I promised Dad. He can’t help it that this trip will last longer than the summer.”
    â€œCan’t he? He must really want you, all right, I’ll say that. It takes pull to get a place on one of those ships on short notice. My father had to fix it up for somebody once. He says space is normally booked years in advance.”
    â€œDad’s firm had a standing reservation. If they’d chosen some other man his wife would have gone.”
    â€œThey sure wouldn’t have had any trouble unloading the extra ticket at a big profit.” Suddenly Ross brightened. “Well, I suppose you’re right, Mel. I’ve been pretty unreasonable. If your dad insists that you go with him, naturally you’ve got to. You don’t want to get him down on you. After all, he’s putting you through college.”
    â€œRoss, surely you don’t think that’s why I—”
    â€œI still call it a crazy waste of time. But you’re doing the sensible thing; we’ll just have to make the best of it, and pick up where we left off when you get back.”
    â€œBut it isn’t like that at all!” Covering my hand with my purse, I reached over and shut off the video because I didn’t want Ross to see the tears that were stinging my eyes.
    â€œMel? Hey, something’s the matter with this phone connection. The picture’s gone.”
    â€œIs it?”
    â€œYes. I can’t see you, but the audio’s coming through. Give me the extension, Mel, and I’ll redial.”
    â€œThere isn’t time,” I lied. “They’re calling my flight.”
    â€œSo soon? Well, good-bye, Mel. I’ll write.”
    â€œWrite? To Mars ?” For some reason that struck me as funny and I started to laugh, though because I was crying it came out as more of a choke.
    â€œWell, radio—whatever it is that people do. Look, Mel, you’re still my girl. Remember that you’re my girl, and you’re going to marry me.”
    â€œI’ll remember,” I whispered. “Good-bye, Ross.”
    I wiped my eyes and started back across the rotunda. I should be happy, I thought. Ross wasn’t thinking of breaking up. Nothing had changed between us; the trip wasn’t going to make any difference. It was as if the fight had never happened.
    Only it still seemed all wrong.