Page 180 of Commander’s Mate
A man arguing with a fruit vendor.
A child crying because someone would not buy a toy.
Ordinary.
That word hurt less now.
Scarlet followed my gaze.
“You doing the home thing?”
“What home thing?”
“The face.”
“I have too many faces.”
“The one where you look at normal people and mentally replace them with Earth.”
I hated that she knew.
“Yes.”
Zoe leaned back.
“If we go home, I’m keeping the shoes.”
“Obviously.”
“No, seriously. Imagine customs.”
Scarlet laughed.
“What are you declaring?”
“Trauma and footwear.”
Nora sat beside me.
“What do you miss that isn’t a person?”
The question caught me.
“Mail truck.”
Scarlet stared.
“Really?”
“I complained about that truck every day.”
“What was wrong with it?”
“Everything. Heat. Brakes. Cup holder.”
“You miss a bad cup holder.”
“Yes.”
