The First Cosmonaut
I
themselves in preparations. One narrow window
points out of the concrete bunker toward the launch
site. The rocket stands strong, ready to show the
world the prowess of our science. This launch is but
“10, 9…”
I took Laika home with me last night. She had so
little time to live. I wanted her to have a happy night
if it was only one last time.
atop a rocket, the jewel
of Soviet science, to be
My children were so excited. I had promised them
a dog for some time and I had found reason after
orbit the earth.
“4, 3…”
was forgotten. We were happy. Laika was happy.
It was true she would die; she was never expected
to live. We built no return function into the capsule,
but now her life had purpose. We would beat the
My children found an old tennis ball somewhere in
the house. They took turns throwing it. Laika happily
ran after it. Each time she brought it back, dropping
the ball at their feet, stepping back, waiting for them
to throw it again. The children laughed, as did I. No
one wanted the game to end. That night Laika slept
in my daughter’s room, curled tight on the foot of
her bed, the tennis ball still in her mouth.
space to return safely back to Earth.
Before they closed the hatch I leaned in and kissed
Laika on the nose.
“8, 7…”
“2, 1…”
Now I stand to the side. My job is done. Hers is just
beginning. I watch along with the world. Godspeed,
little one.
outside with a handful of breadcrumbs. She licked
them from my hand as I guided her to my car. I let
her ride in front with me, her head hanging out the
window, gathering up all the smells of the world to
take with her in her little capsule that would be soon
so high above us all.
“Ignition!”
Shortlisted Story
Bill Bibo
A few protesters were gathered at the gate. They
[email protected]
me as the guards held them back.
Bill lives with his wife in Madison, WI. Late at night he
writes about intelligent mummies, incompetent zombies,
and other things that scare him in the hope that someday
they no longer will. billbibojr.blogspot.com
Mindless fools, they didn’t try to understand.
Laika had been a stray, wandering the streets,
undernourished, heading for a slow and
meaningless death. I found her, fed her, trained
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