Stars

Part II (continued) - A Trip to the Country

"Melinda! Where the Hell are my socks?" Melinda had to keep reminding herself that it had been hard on Allen too. After two weeks at 'home', it was hard to believe that she had once thought that the evacuation hadn't affected him.

"Second drawer on the left." There were times now when she would give anything for that careless smile and easy way.

"OK. I got 'em." Allen went back to getting dressed while Melinda turned back to the breakfast she had been fixing. Today was to be a big day. She wanted to be sure that Aaron had a good breakfast.

"Aaron, are you ready yet?"

"Be out in a minute Mom." He had been having a tough time deciding what to wear. He couldn't remember ever being on a picnic before. And Dad wouldn't even tell him where they were going.

"Aaron!"

"Comin' Mom." He pulled a tee shirt over his head and bounded out of his room toward the kitchen.
Allen got there at the same time Aaron did. After a little playful musical chairs, the two sat down and tucked into the meal that Melinda had set before them.

"Where are we going Dad?"

"I already told you Sport. Goin' on a picnic."

"But Dad, where are we goin'?" This was really bugging him.

"It's a surprise, boy." Allen wasn't giving in on this. "I've got a couple of things to do right after breakfast, then we can get going."

"Mom! Make him tell."

"It's a surprise Aaron. I guess you'll just have to be surprized." If Melinda knew what was up, she wasn't letting on.

"OK. I'll wait." Aaron hung his head in a great show of disappointment and headed back to his room to find something to pass the time.

Meanwhile Jimmy wasn't having any better luck with his parents. He had tried pleading, whining, stomping of feet, beating of fists, and when all else failed he even refused to go, hoping that this would draw some information out of the secretive adults. After his entire arsenal was depleted, all he had was the statement that they were 'going on a picnic'.

Aaron headed down the hallway several paces ahead of the adults.

"Come on you guys! Jimmy's waiting!" The anticipation was proving to be simply too much for his small frame. "We gotta hurry or they'll leave without us."

"I don't think so, Sport. Anyway, We're way ahead of schedule."

"Yeah, but I want to get there quick. I gotta know where we're going. Where are we going, anyway, Dad?"

"I told you a thousand times, Sport. It's a surprise. You'll see when we get there. Meanwhile, you'd better get back here. You missed a turn." In his haste, Aaron had passed the tube that would take them to the block of suites where the Williams reside.

In short order they picked up the Williams and headed out on their secret mission. Eventually they came to a part of the ship that the boys had never been to before. Going on a picnic. That was all they knew for sure. Yet, that small bit of knowledge had brought their excitement to a fever pitch. Allen had to keep hollering directions to them to keep them on the right track. Left here. Right there. Take that tram. Use those stairs.
After what seemed like an eternity to the two diminutive adventurers, the hall they were in came to an abrupt end.

Before the small party stood an enormous set of doors. The floor in front of the doorway was marked with diagonal yellow stripes. Above the frame were the words 'Equipment Lift #1567'. Smaller, but no less impressive was the cryptic adage 'Deciduous Botanical Specimens | Eco-system #423 | Temperate Forest: Non-lethal Zoological Specimens.'