Friendships

Written by : Miss Onze

Michaela stared out the window, thinking. Wasn’t life funny sometimes…

The sound of someone knocking on her door snapped her out of her reverie. She turned and went to answer it.

“Oh, hi Milliardo,” she said, smiling as she let him in. “Nice to see you back so soon. Adele is playing out in the back yard.” Michaela had been taking care of the young Peacecraft while her parents were helping the Preventers to quell a minor insurrection in the colonies. Although the world was largely at peace, there would always be people who preferred conflict to cooperation.

Michaela led her friend through the house toward the back. However, as they reached the back window, where Michaela had been standing earlier, he paused. For a moment, he simply watched as his daughter—and her companion—busily engaged in whatever it was young girls do, getting along despite the great difference in their ages.

“Is that…?” he murmured, half to himself.

Michaela nodded softly. “She came over earlier today—they’ve been playing together all afternoon.”

Wonderingly, Milliardo stepped toward the window and quietly stroked the glass. Michaela could guess what he was thinking. His thoughts rested on another friendship, long ago…a friendship that could never be…

Smiling sadly, he shook his head and moved to the back door. Michaela followed him out. “Adele,” she called. “Guess who’s here!”

The younger girl turned around. “Daddy!” she shrieked, and came running toward him. He swept her up in his arms and embraced her fondly. “I missed you,” she informed him.

“I missed you too,” he replied with a smile. Then he turned his gaze back out into the yard, and Mariemaia also nodded in greeting.