Stars

When the first images of primordial space came online, the world went mad. Reporters stationed at the conservatory accosted Dr. Prentiss as she stepped out of the front door with a sigh. Bulbs. Shouted words. More bulbs. More shouted words. Prentiss put her hand up. "One at a time, please," she instructed. "None of us have slept for days to speak of." "How does this feel?" someone barked and, resisting the urge to roll her eyes, the good doctor responded, "Like a beginning." Bulbs. Shouts. At the end of gawd-knows-how-many minutes, Prentiss put her hand up again. "Last one, please." "How did this all begin for you? Why this over engineering or medicine or art?" The speaker was Charlie Fonn, head of the university newspaper; young and a product of his time, he was recording her with his cell phone. "When I was very young, I had a dream that the sun spoke to me directly while I played outside," Prentiss shared (all of the din falling to a hush so that they could hear her). "It told me that it never sets on anyone in particular ... and I never forgot it. Space isn't personal, but the infinite is; I chose this path because I don't believe that you can successfully set limits for yourself and grasp the unlimited at the same time. If you want a forever relationship, date the stars." That last line would make into print across the globe and, while she never expounded upon it further, she never changed or retracted it (for it was true).