The Rim was stunning in its fierceness. On any given planet, humanity and etiquette clashed with the harsh reality of eking out an existence without the comforts afforded to Core dwellers. But the harsh truth of life on the edge of the verse allowed for fulfillment and exuberance in its willing colonists that couldn’t be duplicated in the monotone world at the center of civilization. True intoxicating joy can never be felt without an understanding and acceptance of eventual grief, pain and loss. Beauty was a green shoot pressing forth from dried cracked earth, a flushed face and cry of release from a young and willing partner or sunset watched with and aching back and sleeping, well fed children.

Beauty was a 15 year old girl shaking her fist at the powers that be and running, not away, but towards her life.

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The day he moved Lily and Nana into the little house, it rained. The skies split apart and soaked the world. They spent the day grimly running their meager belongings from his father’s ancient transport to the small watertight home, then they rode back to his parent’s place where they stood before the Town Authority with dry palms and no expectations. Abby watched her youngest son. He looked so solemn, shame he didn’t know yet.

The day the two children (God above! So young, but so genuine) actually discovered what she saw, clear as spring water, would be a beautiful day indeed.

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As the Authority asked their intentions and they answered honestly, Lily suddenly felt unnerved. She was no fool. Young, yes. Naïve, of course. But she had a baby on the way and was marrying a man seven years older for the sake of saving face in a town that knew the truth. She didn’t care about herself. Ethan was nice, smart. He asked her opinion of things not necessary, considering her answers on worldly topics with gravity. He made her laugh at herself, at him, at the inanity of the ‘verse around them.

It hurt deeply that her family wasn’t there. Nana was the