The St@rs Fr0m Here

By MM Schreier

Photo by NASA on Unsplash

J0nah,

(S0rry, but like everything 0n this piece-0f-shit stati0n, there’s a br0ken key 0n the keyb0ard.)

I never imagined writing y0u a “Dear J0hn” letter, but y0u sh0uld hear it fr0m me, n0t Missi0n C0ntr0l.

I didn’t draw the sh0rt straw. I v0lunteered.

Y0u’ll get the brief: degrading 0rbit, manual redirect int0 the sun, save the w0rld, yada-yada-yada. Thing is, I 0nly care ab0ut saving y0u.

Pr0mise me y0u’ll find s0me0ne new when it’s time. Start the family we never g0t t0 have.

Damn. L0st @n0ther key. Wish y0u c0uld see the st@rs fr0m here. Be@utiful.

I l0—

<Transmission ended.>

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MM Schreier is a classically trained vocalist who took up writing as therapy for a mid-life crisis. She’s authored two short story collections--Monstrosity, Humanity and Bruised, Resilient--and is published in a wide range of venues. In addition to creative pursuits, she works in robotics and tutors STEM to at-risk youth.

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