"Ken Jenks - Vectors" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jenks Ken)

I continued. "Our updated bacteriologic models confirm that aerosol contamination probably led to Kathy's infection."

"That's good to know, lady. How's she doing?"

"She'll be in the hospital for a while longer, but she'll be fine. The flight surgeons finally gave me a clean bill of health."

"Well, we still need a plumber up here. The air system still smells like disinfectant."

"I'll take you up on that job as soon as I can. I'm on tap to give the briefing to the U.N. next month."

"That should be fun."

"As much fun as a root canal."

There was a pause, longer than the usual one imposed by the delay in the comm loop.

"Victoria Griffith," said Trent, "my friends down there in Houston have helped me out a little. I'd like to ask you a question."

This is odd, I thought. "Go ahead, Calypso." Just then, James and Kelly came into the room wearing blue flight suits. They both looked a little pale and thin, but they were grinning like fools. James got down on his knee and offered me a tiny box. Trent was kneeling in front of the camera.

"Victoria Griffith," said Trent from space, "will you marry me?"

Every face in the room was looking at me. I knew I'd be on the evening news again. I started crying anyway. "Yes, sir, commander!"

Everyone started clapping. Kelly gave me a big hug, then James did, too. On the big screen, the other astronauts crowded around Trent, shaking his hand. When the noise died down a little, I sniffed away a few happy tears, then keyed the microphone again. "On one condition, Trent."

There was a brief delay as Trent found his mike. "What's that, dear?"

"I get to choose the time and place."

"Roger that, Houston."
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The Gulfstream was a few minutes early, landing at Ellington Field in Houston. Trent had come back with the crew of STS-143. The EFD tower reported 31 C, but it felt a lot hotter than that out on the asphalt. A huge crowd awaited the returning astronauts. There were more reporters than I'd ever seen at a NASA event. When the airplane came to a stop, an Air Force honor guard escorted the portable stairs up to the door. The were all friends of Trent, from his active duty days.

As the door opened on the side of the NASA aircraft, the Air Force band started up behind us with the new NASA theme song. It really stirs the soul.

Shuttle commander Steve Jackson deferred his traditional honor of being the first one down the stairs to a surprised, confused Trent Miller. He blinked in the Houston sun and held tight onto the hand rail as he climbed down the steps. When he got to the bottom, smiling that lovable, goofy grin of his, the band came to an orderly halt on the NASA theme and started with Mendellson.

The crowd parted, and my dad escorted me down the aisle. I was sweltering in my white, lacy wedding gown, but I didn't care. It had all come together, and Trent didn't have a clue.

Trent's minister met us at the base of the steps. We both sat down for the ceremony. I didn't want to take any chances on a hot day with a big surprise and a husband who was still readapting to one G. No fainting allowed.

We did stand up for the "kiss the bride" part. The reception at hangar 904 was short but fun. Instead of a limousine, Trent's brother loaned me his Cessna 310 painted with a water-soluble "Just Married" banner. I flew my new husband down to Galveston for our wedding night at the San Luis hotel.
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By the time I flew on Calypso again, Trent and I had moved into a new house in Friendswood, Texas, about 20 minutes from NASA. We are still coming to terms on how to work together, live together and love together, all at once.

In 2024, I retired from the astronaut corps to teach at the University of Houston. But in all the years since Bear died, I never ate crawfish again.