Things Better Left Unsaid

Posted on Wed Oct 21st, 2009 @ 11:57pm by Lieutenant JG Drew O'Connell

959 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Shoreleave - Welcoming Old Friends and New
Location: O'Connell Home, Galway Ireland, Earth
Timeline: Current

Drew sat down to the dinner table and looked at his Aunt sitting across from him. It was odd that Ian wasn't there, a family dinner being one thing Evelyn always insisted upon. Drew considered that maybe Evelyn knew of his thoughts, he'd been quiet most of the day while thinking of Corella Lange's admonition about bringing his brother along for the ride. Drew forked apart a bit of the salmon before him, half-heartedly placing some in his mouth and chewing slowly.

"Alright, out with it Andrew," Evelyn said when she'd had enough of his introspection. She had come home from market this afternoon and true to form, Drew had helped her inside with the bags before returning silently to his task of painting the barn. At first, Evelyn had thought nothing of it, Drew had grown into a man of few words but as the day continued on in that fashion, Evelyne had grown concerned. She had sent Ian out to town with his friends so that she could be alone with her oldest nephew. Now, she was forcing the issue.

"I was visited by Captain Corella Lange this afternoon."

Evelyn was astounded that the woman who had prosecuted Drew had tracked him down to their home while he was on shoreleave. She hadn't heard of the woman a few short months ago, but now, after the prosecution, Evelyn had learned as much as she could. Corella Lange was infamous for her diehard personality. Attempting to sound casual, Evelyn asked, "What did she want?"

Drew considered the loaded question before answering. "Essentially she wanted to threaten that she wasn't quite through with me yet." Drew looked up at his aunt and realized she looked suddenly flustered and annoyed. "It's said and done now, Ev. I can stand up to her on my own. She did have a valid point though."

Evelyn could feel her ire rising as Drew explained that Lange had come to persecute him. Still, Drew was right, he could stand up to her on his own. The last part seemed incredulous, she had a point which had made Drew turn inward and think about it, as he had, for the majority of the day. Curious, Ev asked, "What is it that has you in self-inflicted exile, thinking?"

"She mentioned Ian and the ever present danger of living in space. I mean, look what happened to the Rook. He could have been among the lost or killed. I'm not sure it's fair of me to force him onto another starship, to subject him to that level of danger. I think he should stay here, with you."

Evelyn was flabbergasted. Of all the things she had expected Drew to say, this was bottom of the list. The arguments started rolling through her mind. She was too old to care for a teenager full-time, Ian wouldn't be happy on the farm, their parents would need to be informed of any decisions and discussions about their youngest son's future. All of this, and more, ran through Evelyn's mind. Off the cuff, she responded kindly. "I can't say I agree with you. You know as well as I that Ian would not be happy here with an old spinthrift like me. He has friends here, but they'll be off to school and work and he'll soon find himself alone. Besides, he's been put in your charge, your care, by your parent's request."

"But they don't know the dangers posed to a sixteen year old on a starship. They don't know the dangers I pose."

This was the topper. This was the reason Drew had been so quietly thinking all day. Corella Lange had convinced him he was a danger to his ship, his crewmates, and most of all his brother. Evelyn had never seen Drew so lacking in confidence. "Your parents knew exactly what they were doing when they forced you to take care of your brother, Andrew. There's no better place for him to be than by your side. If you think you are putting him in danger, ask yourself who it was that made sure he was safely off the Rook before she disappeared. Ask yourself who forced him into a cramped shuttlecraft with a safe trip back to a fully functional starbase instead of letting him drift in a pod in space. Whatever else you think you've done, you were the one who kept your brother safe."

Drew sat pensively at the table. Finally, he allowed a small victory for Evelyn. "You're right, I suppose."

"Damn right," Ev said triumphantly. "Now, if you want to keep wallowing in your own self-doubt, feel free. Ian should be home in a few hours. I've lost my appetite with all this talk of persecuting Captains and the dangers of space. Oh, and by the way, if anyone knows the dangers of space, it would be your parents. If you think dumping Ian off on me would be beneficial, I suggest you ask him yourself when he gets back. Now, I have work to do, so I'm excusing myself."

Drew watched his aunt as she fairly stormed out of the kitchen. Drew shook his head and smiled to himself as he pushed away the plate before him. He had never had an appetite to start with. Moving to the old fashioned refrigerator in the kitchen, Drew opened the door and found himself a Guiness. Deciding this was no synthehol tye night, Drew popped the lid on the stone heath and downed the dry stout in a few swallows. Grabbing a second, Drew popped the top and sat down at the kitchen table to wait for a conversation he really didn't want to have.

 

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