First Step’s The Hardest

“He offered you a job, just like that?” Daddy was doubtful, I could see that plain as the nose on his face.

“Uh-huh,” I nodded. “All I did was fix somethin’ that weren’t really broke to begin with – the mechanic he got now barely knows an aft thruster from a compression coil.” I didn’t mention how I’d come to see the engine so close up. “He’s real nice, Daddy, and his ship’s real clean and neat. It’s that Firefly what landed a couple days ago?”

‘It sounds like a good job,” Mama put in, though she didn’t look up and just kept on foldin’ the clean clothes. “You’re always sayin’ how she’s got natural talent with machines, and she sure ain’t gonna get to use it on this rock.”

“Well, that’s true enough,” Daddy admitted. He was considerin’ it real careful, I saw; he always got that frown on his face when he was thinkin’ over a hard decision. He sighed, looked over Mama, who was still foldin’ like it was the most important job in the ‘verse. “Just cause we gotta stay here don’t mean you do, Kay-bug.”

I started to squeak with happiness, but held it back when Daddy held up his hand. “‘Fore I decide, though, I think we need to meet this real nice man. I ain’t sendin’ you off with some huan dan who might be a slaver or somethin’ worse.”

I managed not to roll my eyes; I knew Daddy was just lookin’ out for me.

I was nervous –I thought it was kind of rude, the way Daddy was lookin’ the captain over so close, and I was afraid that he might take the job offer back if he got offended.

But Captain Reynolds didn’t seem at all put out; in fact, he invited Daddy and Mama right on board, showed them around, let them see which room would be mine. Mama didn’t say a word, though she gave the second mate – Zoë, the captain said-- a suspicious stare. Mama don’t hold much with rough women. Zoë didn’t say anything; didn’t even seem to notice, though I bet Zoë didn’t miss much.

Finally we got back to the cargo bay, and I was fit to be tied