From Mars and Back
- The Write Twins
- May 2, 2020
- 16 min read
Updated: May 3, 2020
It starts off with an idea, leading to discovery: a short story told through letters, emails, notes, text messages and short dialogue calls.
one
re: Kara Williams <kara.williams@gmail.com>
to: Fay Hansen <FayHansen239@gmail.com>
Subject: your previous idea.
Greetings Fay,
Thank you for reaching out to us to project your idea. After much contemplating, we have decided to give it a go. I will talk more with you in person at Tuesday's meeting.
Regards,
Kara Williams.
two
June 7th, 2051
Dear Em,
I just got an email from my boss--she has approved of my idea! If everything goes well, I will be going to space in eleven months time. There is so much to do, prepare the spaceship, train, put together every detail of the plan and a million more things.
I’m so nervous. I mean, what if something goes wrong? What if we don’t finish in time. There are millions of things that can go wrong.
Thankfully, the spaceship is already in the making. If my idea somehow gets rejected then it will be used for some other mission.
Hold up, I'm getting a bit ahead of myself. My boss, Kara, said we still have to begin discussing everything with everyone else at the meeting on Tuesday. There's a chance the idea will be voted out.
But I'll worry about that later. What matters most is that I'll still be going to space! Space! Can you believe it? I certainly can't. It seems surreal.
I remember when we were little I'd be babbling about all that I would go to space, and now it's happening.
(almost)
Anyway, before you start calling me old-fashioned for writing you a letter instead of a text message, I have a good explanation. It's because of Jack, he has begun stealing my phone and scrolling through my text messages, if not that he'll be eavesdropping on the conversation. He adores you, Em, I swear, even with you visiting every week he still wants to see you more.
I want to keep this a surprise from Jack, wait until it's final. But I had to tell someone, which is the reason behind this letter.
It's getting pretty dark now, so I'm going to head to bed. See you in a couple of days!
Your sister,
Fay.
three
April 30th, 2052
Dear Jack,
By the time you read this letter, I'll already be gone into space and you'll be living with Em, in her apartment, eating a bunch of junk food every day.
Jack, I'm writing this letter to you to tell you that I love you. I love you, so much. Even more than that. I'm going to miss you so much.
You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. Even better than the day I graduated from school forever. And that's saying something.
Sometimes, I think maybe it wasn't a good idea to become an astronaut. I'll be away from you and Em for a year. A whole year! But I know you'll be okay, and that's what matters most.
While I'm away, I have made a list of things to help Em take care of you. Attached at the back of this letter, there is a list of all the things you need to get while shopping, your bedtimes and plenty of other information. In case it gets lost, I have also emailed a copy to Em, stuck it on the fridge, handed it to Em, and put it in my front drawer. It doesn't hurt to be super prepared.
Remember, I love you all the way to Mars and back.
Mom.
four
May 3rd, 2052
Dear Mommy,
In some days, you will be going to outer-space. That is super cool!
I am very excited to be living with Aunty Em, she promised to buy me some cake. What flavour do you think I should get? She also said I could stay past my bedtime, but not every day. Just some days.
It's going to be super, super, duper fun.
I'm still going to miss you very much, Mommy, because you are the awesomest mommy ever.
When you leave, I'm going to give you the biggest hug ever and make you some chocolate cake. (I won't burn it this time, Aunty Em will help me)
I also wanted to tell you that, if you meet some aliens, you have to tell me! And tell them I said hi.
Also, if you're going to the moon, could you bring me some cheese? I hope there's cheddar cheese, cuz that's my favourite. All cheeses are okay though, except blue cheese. That's yucky.
From,
Jack.
P.S Aunty Em helped me write this letter. She says hello and not to worry, the cake won't be an everyday thing.
P.P.S I will give you this letter the day before you leave.
five
Fay: Hey, Em. 12:31
Em: Hello, Fay
Aren't you supposed to be boarding the spaceship now? 12:33
Fay: In an hour.
I just texted to remind you that I have included a copy of all of
Jack's medical stuff and other info at home. 12:39
Em: I know. Relax! You enjoy your time and worry about your space-y stuff. Me and Jack are fine.
12:41
Fay: But what if something goes wrong? And what if you can't find something?
12:42
Em: Nothing will go wrong. Now shoo! 12:42
Fay: But, what if-- 12:42
Em: GO! 12:43
Fay: Fine, I'm going. 12:43
Fay: But just in case, I've bought our normal grocery load. It's in your house.
12:59
six
May 6th, 2052
Dear Jack,
I know you won't get this letter. At least not until I come back home and that may be in a while. I will give you this letter (and many more that I will write) when I'm back, so you can know all about space.
Guess what Jack? I've made it to space. It's been five minutes since we have officially gotten here.
Sarah, one of my fellow astronauts--you met her at the launch--has been freaking out the second we broke through Earth's surface. While John (the other astronaut onboard) and I were completely silent and awed while she was laughing and crying and talking a mile a minute.
In the end, we were all laughing. It was a bit hysterical, to be honest.
Being in space feels so dream-like. I don't know how to describe it, it's like time has slowed, the air has become still. Even Sarah had gone quiet for about a millisecond. I had never felt so at home. I wish you could have been here with me, you would have loved everything about it. Maybe in the future, though.
Let me tell you about the spaceship, first thing, it's really white. White walls and cushions and seats, but you get used to it. Every cushioned wall of the spaceship has dozens of buttons and pipes coming out. There are chairs at the front of the spaceship, with monitors to Space Skype people and track anything else.
Once I remove the belts and buckles strapping me down on this chair, I will be able to float!
John and Sarah, my other teammates are already floating around. It looks like they're flying.
In around six months, our spaceship will arrive on Mars. This is the part where my plan comes in. On Mars, we're going to try to find a way to live there. This wasn't originally my idea, decades ago people used to believe that they would be able to live on Mars. They soon forgot about that idea, after a crash on the way to Mars. I believed we could bring back the idea. And with a lot of thought, everyone agreed.
After exploring Mars, we will head back to Earth which will take another six months.
I already miss you so much. But for now, I have to go, I want to try floating!
From Mom.
seven
calling Em...
beep.
call answered.
Em: "Hello? Can you hear me?"
Fay: "I can hear you, Em."
Jack: "Hi!"
Fay: "Hello, Jack!"
Jack: "Are you in space?"
Fay: "I am! And how are you guys doing?"
Em: "We're doing great! Right, Jack?"
Jack: "Yeah! We had chocolate cake!"
Em: "Jack! You weren't supposed to say that!"
Jack: "Oops, sorry."
Fay: "You're still eating your vegetables, right?"
Jack: "Yes, mommy. I had some broccoli,"
Fay: "Good job!"
Jack: "Mommy! Tell me about space? Can you float?"
Em: "Yeah, tell us!"
Fay: "I did float, it's pretty fun. Should I show you guys?"
Jack: "Yes!"
Fay: "Look! I'm floating! And there's the rest of the shuttle."
Jack: "Woah, you're actually floating!"
Fay: "I am!"
Jack: "Woah! So cool!"
Em: "Wicked!"
Fay: "Jack! Look at your hair! Did you forget to brush it?"
Jack: "Um, maybe."
Em: "Look at your hair, Fay!"
Fay: "Hey! I'm living on a spaceship!"
Em: "And he's living at my house!"
Fay: "...okay, fair enough."
Em: "Mhm."
Fay: "Well guys, I have to go now. Everyone's calling!"
Em: "Okay, you have fun!"
Fay: "And you take care. You too Jack!"
Jack: "I will. I love you, Mommy!"
Fay: "I love you too."
Jack: "Okay, bye Mommy! Don't forget to say hi to the aliens!"
Em: "Bye, Fay. Take care!"
Fay: "I will, bye guys! Love you!"
CALL ENDED
eight
June 7th, 2052
Dear Jack,
It's been a month! A month since I left Earth and since I have been away from you and Em! I miss you guys so much!
Surprisingly, it hasn't been too boring. There's a lot to check and to occupy ourselves with. I still think about you guys every time I wake up and go to sleep.
There are still around five months until I get to Mars.
Right now, I'm really craving some cheeseburgers. All we're eating in space is frozen, crumbless tortillas. What I miss is fresh, hot food.
What I would give for some cheeseburgers right about now. Yum. I'm sure you and Em are eating your fair share of cheeseburgers at home.
It's nearing time for us to go to bed. So, I must go.
With Love,
Mom.
nine
July 2nd, 2052
Dear Jack,
I miss you so, so much. Not a minute goes by where I don’t think ‘Oh, Jack would love this!’ or ‘What’s Jack doing right now’. I hope you’re doing well right now.
Sending buckets of love,
Mom.
ten
12 new messages from Em.
Hey.
10:02
I miss you.
10:03
A lot. 10:03
It's been pretty hard, taking care of Jack. 10:04
Don't get me wrong. He's the sweetest kid.
10:04
It's just... a lot.
10:04
Anyway, I don't know why I'm texting you all this.
10:05
Your phone is probably stored away in one of those fancy Space Station places. 10:06
Or I'm just an idiot and it's just sitting at your house, texting no one. 10:07
That's probably it.
10:07
Anyway, I know you won't reply but I just wanted to tell you that I miss you and I hope everything is going well on your space expedition. 10:08
Bye, Fay. I love you.
10:11
eleven
September 29th, 2052
Dear Jack,
Today was pretty normal. It was one of those rare days where we did something else than watching television all the time. Instead, we slept a whole lot. I hope everything is going well back home.
I better go, Sarah’s managed to make another squirt of toothpaste float. Don't ask me how that happens.
I miss you and love you.
Hugs and kisses,
Mom.
twelve
calling...
beep.
call answered.
Fay: "Hello?"
Jack: "Mommy, is that you?"
Em: "No, it's an alien."
Jack: "Woah, really?"
Fay: "No, I'm not an alien, I'm Mommy."
Jack: "Aw, I wanted to see an alien."
Fay: "Well, you'll have to deal with just Mommy for now."
Jack: Okay. Hi Mommy,"
Fay: "Hello Jack. What are you guys doing?"
Em: "Watching TV,"
Fay: "What are you watching?"
Jack: "Fast and Furious!"
Em: "Jack! You weren't supposed to say that."
Fay: "You're watching Fast and Furious with a six-year-old?"
Em: "Yeah..."
Jack: "And there's racing cars! And that one dude beat up the other dude, it was wicked."
Em: "Aw, Jack, you started using my own words. I'm growing on you."
Jack: "Wicked!"
Fay: "You guys aren't gonna stop watching it either way, will you?"
Em: "Nope."
Fay: "Okay, then I won't say anything."
Jack and Em: "Wicked!"
Fay: "So, what time is it back home?"
Em: "One o’clock."
Jack: "Hey, Aunty Em, didn't you say we were supposed to go to the library at one?"
Em: "Shit, I forgot!"
Fay: "Em! Don't swear in front of Jack!"
Em: "Sorry."
Jack: What does shit mean?"
Fay: "It means poop, now promise you won't say that again,"
Jack: "Okay, I promise,"
Em: "We have to go now, bye Fay!"
Fay: "Bye Em, bye Jack. Love you."
Em: "You too. I'm ending the call now."
Jack: "Love you, Mommy."
Fay: "You too. Bye, guys."
Em; "Bye."
Jack: "Poop, hehe."
Fay: "Jack--!"
CALL ENDED.
thirteen
call from Boss Kara...
ringing...
call answered.
Kara: "Hello?"
Sarah: "Hi, boss!"
Fay: "Hello."
Kara: "Hi, guys. Where's John?"
Fay: "Sleeping."
Sarah: "And snoring."
Fay: "Very loudly."
Kara: "Alright...good to know. How is everything going on the spaceship?"
Sarah: "Great, it's wonderful."
Fay: "And how's everything on Earth?"
Kara: "Good, good. You guys aren't bored or anything?"
Sarah: "Nope, it's all fun,"
Fay: "A blast,"
Sarah: "And seriousness too,"
Fay: "Yeah, that too. Obviously."
Sarah: "Yeah."
Fay: "Yeah."
Sarah: "Yeah..."
Fay: "Anyways, how are you?"
Kara: "I'm doing great. Just called to check-in."
Sarah: "Nothing else?"
Fay: "Like anything related to watching TV?"
Sarah: "And the word 'too much'?"
Kara: "I see what this is about."
Sarah: "And what is that?"
Kara: "You guys are watching too much TV...?"
Fay: "What? No! We exercise...a lot. No TV."
Sarah: "Yeah...we tap buttons,"
Fay: "To exercise our fingers."
Sarah: "Yup...our fingers need so much exercise."
Kara: "Guys?"
Fay: "Mhm?"
Sarah: "Yeah?"
Kara: "You guys can watch as much TV as you want as long as you complete the work."
Fay: "TV? We weren't talking about TV."
Sarah: "Yeah, we were talking about exercising...fingers and stuff."
Kara: "You guys are very bad liars, you know that?"
Sarah: "Lying? No, we don't lie."
Kara: "..."
John: "Sure, you don't!"
Fay: "No one asked you anything! Go back to sleep, John!"
John: "Yeah, yeah!"
Kara: "Okay, it was nice talking to both of you but I have to go now."
John: "Bye, boss!"
Fay and Sarah: "Go back to sleep, John!"
John: "Geez, people. I'm going,"
Kara: "Alright, well you guys have fun. But not too much fun,"
Fay: "Alright, take care Boss!"
Kara: "You too, Fay"
Sarah: "Bye,"
Kara: "Bye, I'm ending the call now,"
Fay: "Bye."
John: "Bye Boss!"
Fay and Sarah: "GO BACK TO SLEEP, JOHN--!"
CALL ENDED.
fourteen
November 11th, 2052
Dear Jack,
Time has passed so quickly. There's only one more week until we arrive. One week! It's already been around six months since I left you guys. A day doesn't go by where I don't think of you.
Ever since, Kara, my boss, called a while back and allowed us to watch as much TV as we like, that's all we've been doing. Of course, there's still writing letters to you, calling you and Em, eating, sleeping, talking, doing our work but mostly we watch TV.
Currently, as I'm sitting, John and Sarah are watching Disney movies. Well, rather re-watching. There are only so many shows and channels we can watch up here in space.
We're planning as well, planning our trip to Mars so we can avoid anything going wrong. Well, mostly I'm the one planning but the rest will get there eventually.
If I write anymore my hand will fall off so I'll call it a day for now.
Lots of love,
Mom.
fifteen
ERROR. ERROR. ERROR.
Failure in the system.
System shutting down...
Three...
Two...
One...
BOOM.
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