Drops of Jupiter... Part 1

A short story inspired by Train's "Drops of Jupiter", amalgamated with a creative writing prompt "The asteroid was hurtling directly toward Earth..."

"Natalie, what is your status?" A voice rang over the intercom.
Natalie's thick, white-gloved hands were trembling. But it was her ragged breathing that Lucas could hear over the intercoms. Loudly.
"Natalie, come in, over." Lucas changed to Camera View 2. Natalie had stopped touching the Earth Communications Panel 6 and was looking away, one hand on a rail, the other was clearly clenched.
"Natalie, do you need assistance?" Lucas waited again.
"Lieutenant Greer!" Lucas stood to attention before his superior, Captain Deans, saluting. "What is taking so long? Are we on-line yet?"
"No, Sir. Commander Whitaker is still working on it," Lucas hoped she had returned to her work, but stood perfectly still as Deans approached the intercom.
"Commander, you have exactly ten minutes of reserve left. We don't have time to watch the show. Get your arse back in here as soon as communications have been restored, is that clear?" Captain Deans was a no muss - no fuss kind of military man. This wasn't supposed to be an asteroid mission. In fact, Lucas was sure they wouldn't be there to see what kind of damage the asteroid was likely to do to their home world.
So much for the mysterious activity near Jupiter. Their galactic neighbours, the Hydraxins, were farming for hydrogen and helium in Jupiter's atmosphere. Under the Hydrax-Earth treaty, they were allowed to farm for 1 million gallons of atmospheric chemicals once every three months, after notifying the local envoy of their presence - in exchange for refined bio oils that helped fuel every vehicle on the planet. But unbeknownst to the envoy crew, their communication had been damaged by a pebble sized mini-asteroid. That was when they realised they were in the path of an asteroid. It wasn't until they had recovered from minor damages, and blasted approximately Five thousand miles away that they had Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Swan, calculate the trajectory of the giant.
"If she keeps on the path she seems to be on right now and moves around the Sun, as I suspect she might, we're looking at about ten months before impact with Antarctica. The gravity would be enough to pivot the giant through the atmosphere and out the other side. But it would be like slicing through the flesh of a soft ripe peach with a basketball. That's how fragile our world will become under such force."
After Lieutenant Swan's apt description, Deans didn't need any more convincing. They had to get communications back up, asap.

"Yes, Sir," Whitaker responded, over the intercom.
"Get Lieutenant Swan on the ringer. Tell him to get his arse to the bridge. We may need to visit our little friends and get a tow back to Earth," Deans turned and left for the bridge. Lucas sighed. He didn't feel comfortable going to Hydrax. He'd been there once, a few years back, to renew the peace treaty with a diplomat. Not really as a body guard, since he wasn't even allowed to possess his firearm.

"Brian?" Lucas called over the intercom.
"I'm busy, what is it?"
"The Captain wants you on the bridge. I believe he specifically requested for your arse. I think he expects to see it seated at the pilot console. He probably wants you to translate for him. He mentioned visiting little friends."
"I think the Captain puts far too much stock in the fragile treaty, sometimes. But I will be there as soon as I can. I am trying to improve our engine capacity."
"Whatever. Just get it done and get to your post. We don't have time for playing around," Lucas said. He didn't like Brian. They went through their military training together, but that's as far as their similarities went.
Natalie finally came through the decompression chamber and Lucas noted how badly covered in sweat she was. As soon as she was able, she collapsed onto the grey panelled floor, blood in her hair and in her ears.

... To be continued...

Not like the movies...

A short story inspired by Katy Perry's "Not like the movies" song, amalgamated with personal events.

 Sherie was having her birthday party. Everyone Jane knew from school would be there, much to her detriment. But Sherie had called Jane, telling her that a special friend would be there.
"I'd really like you two to meet, I just know you'll get along," Sherie insisted. Jane felt obligated, because she rarely went to any social events. She was too introverted. Jane had endured bullying through highschool, and she was worried she'd have to endure it again at a party. She had no clothing that was suitable for partying. Nothing she wore was new or special.
But for her friend, Jane decided to go.

The night of the party, Jane's parents dropped her off. She couldn't drive yet, as the idea frightened her. And although some of her classmates were sleeping at Sherie's house for the night, Jane wanted to sleep in her own bed, in case she would bullying took place that night.

Jane had brought with her a small pack of mixed alcoholic drinks, hidden cigarettes in her jacket, and had butterflies in her belly. She was incredibly nervous because she'd never been to any party before. This was her very first.
Sherie learned that Jane had arrived.
"Jane! I'm so glad you've actually come. You had me worried!"
"You wanted me to meet your friend, I couldn't say no. Sorry for not wearing better clothes," Jane said, quickly.
"Never mind that, I have a friend you should meet. He's one of my oldest friends," Sherie said, cheerfully. She grabbed Jane's hand and pulled her towards the veranda further down the property.
Jane didn't realise that Sherie had intended to introduce her to a boy. Or if she did, she didn't speculate too long on it, thinking about gaining a friend more than any thing more.
By the gate that opened up to a path that lead to the large main house was a red headed boy. He was drinking a bourbon and wore a black leather jacket that made him look robust. But truthfully, his face was thin. His looks didn't displease Jane, but he was not the kind of boy she normally took notice of.
"Jane, meet Fritz. I used to go to school with him. We've been friends forever. He's a great guy. Jane is a really nice girl, one of the nicer people in school. I think you guys will get along well," she giggled at the end, waving her hands about as she walked back to the party, leaving us alone.

This was awkward. Neither really knew anything about one another, but to avoid disappointing our mutual friend, Sherie, they tried to make conversation.
"So, what do you do?" Fritz asked, smiling slightly.
Jane felt embarrassed. She hadn't found any employment, and didn't have any plans to go to Technical College. She had no prospects for University, because she struggled in her last exams. What could she say?
Well, Fritz seemed genuinely interested in Jane, even though she had little to say about her employment or lack there of.
Throughout the night they talked about themselves, finding similarities in music especially.
Jane's favourite music was very unusual compared to the others who were dancing and singing and drinking at the party. So the fact that Fritz knew the music only appealed to her all the more.

Fritz loved his car. His car was his pride and joy.
"Come and have a look, I have an amazing stereo," he bragged. She didn't really care for cars at all, in fact she had no plans to own one or get her drivers licence anytime in the near future. But she followed him to his car - which later was the cause of gossip for her classmates, but that is another story.
Fritz turned on the car, and the entire vehicle vibrated under her. This did not excite her senses. But she politely smiled and gave pleasing responses to everything.
He then turned on his music, turning the base up loudly. The only thing about this event that she actually enjoyed was the way the LED display bounced up and down with the music. So much rhythm and movement caused Jane to try to locate what part of the songs that played caused each bar to jump. Fritz clearly thought this excited her - the loud music, the exciting flashy car. He was surely a very appealing sexy man to her.
But in truth, all she liked was his choice in music they had discussed earlier (not the music playing, it was horrible!) and the LED display.
Not wanting to give up so soon, she eventually was able to coerce Fritz to leave the car and rejoin the party.
Throughout the night, the continued to talk about anything and everything. No topic too much. He was jilted some time ago - his best friend running away with his girlfriend once upon a time. A sad story, and Jane sympathised with it.

Granted, it was not a basis for a relationship unless pity was the glue, but Jane had very little serious interest that she didn't dismiss it at all.
She didn't feel as though she had to take whatever she could get, as she was still young, but the thought of love was alluring.
All too soon, one of her parents arrived to take her home. She threw the rest of her cigarettes at Fritz, which shocked him. She didn't want to tell them she smoked yet, and he thought it was a compliment.
She didn't get his number that night. But within a week or two, Sherie called Jane to share the number with her.
"He's been jilted in the past, so he said that if you were seriously interested, you should call him first," Sherie said, on the phone.
"That's fine," Jane responded. "he's probably just nervous."

So eventually, Jane plucked up the nerve to call him. She was so exited.

The first time he came to see her - after two weeks of phone calls... He brought her a single red rose. She received a single red rose every second friday for 16 weeks... then the roses stopped.
Jane dearly loved Fritz. Declared publicly for the world to hear it.... But when the roses stopped, Fritz began to change........

14 years later...

Jane doesn't talk to Sherie.
She doesn't talk to Fritz, but maintains a sub-normal acquaintanceship with his mother.
Jane has an eleven year old child. Fritz's child. A child he never sees or loves.

Wait... lets rewind a moment.......

In the years that followed the lack of rose gifts, Fritz grew paranoid. He began to use drugs as a crutch for his past problems, and became possessive of Jane. Soon followed slabs of bourbon.
Jane endured. She loved Fritz still. She wanted this to work. His insults were a mistake. He didn't hit her... He could have but he didn't, because he loved her. Right?
And occasionally he'd be busy with friends, and had to go away for a weekend. She coudln't come, because it was just for him and his friends... Cheating? No... Fritz may be paranoid about Jane being faithful (and she was, to the letter) but he'd never do such a thing... would he?

Jane and Fritz moved in together. It went well for a while, Jane was useful, you see. They'd been together for almost 3 years. Yes, it was rocky and they'd broken up approximately 6 times, but when you love someone, you are drawn back together... Jane believed this, anyway.
Jane helped pay the rent and bills with every penny she had. She couldn't get work. She had no skills, and no motivation. She had depression. But nobody to care about her situation, or shed light on why she thought so lowly of herself.
Fritz had a low paying job. But when he got paid, he still had twice to three times the amount Jane had. They paid all the bills exactly equal down the bottom to the dollar. It was only fair, after all. It was his money.
Food shopping was unimportant. Just a few basics. a small package of mince meat, some vegetables. No fruit - they couldn't afford it. Baked beans were cheap. They were a stable in the budget. A food budget of $30 a fortnight. Jane never ate breakfast. There was nothing to eat.
Occasionally she'd eat heated up vegetables with a sprinkle of cheese. But other than that. Nothing.

Fritz believed his money was better spent improving his car's entertainment system. And he did. Every time a subwoofer would blow up, he'd rush down to the local car audio store to replace it or the amplifier. Food was not important. Fritz barely ate, anyway. He was very thin, and lived easily on baked beans.

Behind the scenes, Jane's friends were worried about her. One friend, Dean, knew she wasn't really eating. The slab of bourbon was the largest quantity of consumables in the fridge. Vegetables didn't even exist. His mother, Angel, came over when she heard about this, and filled their cupboards and freezer with whatever she could...

Because now, Jane was a month pregnant with Fritz's child. And Fritz had already asked her if she'd have an abortion. No. It wasn't an option, she'd told him.

Fritz had come home from work one day - too early - to say he had to deliver some parts from work to a place 3 hours away. Jane was eager to go with him - spend the day with him. Finally a day she could really spend time with him. She wouldn't be in the way...
"No!" he said, quickly. "You stay in bed, and rest. I am leaving now, and you're not even ready."
She conceded. It was true. she was still in bed by mid-morning.
But she knew in her mind that he wasn't really delivering anything far away. The company had couriers for that. He was seeing "her".
Fritz's sister, Faith, was visiting early! She had come all the way to Fritz's and Jane's small home because that night they were all going to the drive in to see an exciting new movie, a treat they wanted to spoil faith with. But she was very early. It was only midday, and she had arrived with her boyfriend, Bas.
"Where's Fritz?" She asked, knowing full well that he should have been at work that day.
"I have no idea," said Jane, honestly.
"You know what day it is," Faith asked. Jane knew. It was "her" birthday today. She didn't rightly remember when she found out, but she knew.
Would he have done that? Left her to see the "other woman"? Poor little pregnant girl.
Faith decided to check up on her brother. She went to his work, and asked for him. They admitted that he was, unfortunately, sent home for throwing up in the toilet. Not delivering parts 3 hours away after all.
Faith was angry. Fritz had shamed their family, and Faith couldn't stop apologising to Jane for what they'd uncovered. He was nothing in her eyes. A dirt that carried her last name.

But Jane... oh dear Jane.

Finally, about two weeks after this, Jane left. Fritz was very manipulative. He tried everything to keep her there. To control her. She didn't even know if she had any friends anymore. But she found the courage to collect what few possessions she could hold and her brother took her back to her family.

Fritz was seeing another woman, and telling her that Jane was simply a house mate. Jane had heard him tell her that he loved her and not Jane. How many times would Jane allow herself to be used by such a prince?

No more roses. No more love. Only lies, selfishness and starvation of another kind.

Jane's brother told her, as they drove away from her past, that Fritz claimed that "she'll be back. She needs me,"

Jane bore their child alone. She raised him alone, with support from her own family. Occasionally getting visits from the childs other grandparent. But never gaining a present paternal presence. And she never went back to Fritz.

Jane and Fritz's child is a very special child.

He is Jane's real prince. That is the long lasting love story. Tears were had in hardship. Laughter was felt frequently - on a daily basis! - by mother and child alike. Hugs and kisses were frequent.


Although Jane never got any more roses from Fritz, she gained a flower that would never stop blooming before her. Although not like the movies... certainly a story of another kind. True love isn't just for a Man and a Woman.

This love is forever.