Choice of the Gallant - Paradox Equation I

by Sharon L Reddy

  ****

  "Gallant, get your head back in the van."

  "Your moon is so beautiful. I've never seen a more beautiful world."

  "How many have you seen?"

  "Hundreds, but this is the first I landed on with people. I'm glad. Humans are wonderful!"

  "You're bombed out of your mind."

  "Julie, can we stop? I want to walk in the moonlight by the sea."

  "Exactly what I had in mind. There's a beach I like just ahead, Leo Carillo. We'll go home through Topanga Canyon after daybreak. Want to show you some forest. We'll nap in the back of the van. Gallant, I've got to go back to work Monday. My vacation's over."

  "I know. You've been looking at the calendar and sighing for two days. I'm glad I tromped your tulips on your vacation. You've been a wonderful teacher. YES!"

  She laughed and turned the lights off. He'd been out and running for the beach before she'd gotten the brake on. She grabbed a jacket for herself and a blanket for him. She just knew he was going to get wet. She ran after him. His laughter stopped her cold. It was... wild. She sat down in the sand and cried for him. He'd been caged for so long. His spirit was just learning to be free.

  "You're crying. What did I do?"

  "Not you, Gallant. The past."

  "My past. Your tears are for me. May I kiss you?"

  "I'd like it very much."

  "You'll... "

  "What is it?"

  "You'll have to teach me how."

  She decided he had a gift for understatement. He learned very fast.

  ****

  "Julie... "

  "You're leaving."

  "I never said good-by before. It hurts."

  "Yes, it does. Gallant, don't forget me."

  "Never. Julie, may I come back someday? Take you dancing? Show you all I've learned?"

  "Oh, yes!"

  "One year from the day I tromped your tulips. Is it a date?"

  "I'll mark it on the calendar. See you March Eighth, Nineteen Ninety-one."

  "In your tulips."

  "I'll be there."