Day 24 - 1000 Word Challenge

An Interlude...

(Day 24 - 794 Words)

Thom had called to say that he would be a few minutes late to get home, so Shae had time to look at their bank accounts and see where she could move a little money in order to make sure Mike got a good meal. She was really surprised to find a deposit into the account that she didn’t recognize for a large sum. Plenty to cover the rent, groceries and utilities and still leave money for the dinner and a few extras. Was this a mistake? Or did the strike finally end and they were getting some pay to help hold them over until the new rates kicked in? She was elated.

She dressed up extra special, putting on her favorite makeup and perfume, it was a night to celebrate.

When Thom came in the door Shae was waiting and threw her arms around his neck and gave him a very big hug and liplock. Thom held onto her tightly in appreciation.

“I’m so glad it’s over,” Shae said when she finally drew back a bit from the kiss. Thom was still holding her close and had a bemused smile on his face.

“What’s over?”

“The strike. That’s why they deposited the money in the account, right? Because it’s over?” Shae was becoming less sure with every word, especially as Thom’s face began to change expression as he heard her words.

“No, hun, the strike is still on. In fact, they brought in a new negotiator for the Council side today.”

“But, the money? Is that compensation from the Union? To help us out? Things have been tough, and we’ve been careful, but we can’t keep going on like this! Where did the money come from, Thom?” Shae was desperate to know.

“I took my multi-tool to the pawn shop as collateral for a loan. Just to get us by, until the strike is over. I can’t do any work with it until the strike is over, and I’ll get it back as soon as we get paid. It was the only thing I could think of to take care of us. We’ve got to hold on just a little longer. We have a roof over our heads and we’ll have food in the fridge. I’ve been so worried about you out looking for other work and now you can stay home and not worry about it for a while. Tensions are getting higher and higher the longer the strike goes on. Ship repairs are getting behind, station repairs are getting behind. They can’t go on much longer, they’ll have to negotiate, soon.” Thom stopped speaking as he looked at the horror spreading over Shae’s face and he pulled her closer as she started to cry.

“Oh, baby, it’s okay. It’s only for a short while. Someday, I’ll be higher up the rankings and we won’t have to worry if there is a strike, we’ll still be riding fine. It’s okay, Shae, it’ll be okay.” He tried comforting her. At a loss as to what to say. He was used to tough talk with the guys, and had never been good at the “squishy stuff” as his friend Mike called it.

“But that multi-tool came from your grandfather to your father to you.” Shae said. “Other than me, you’ve always said it was your most prized possession! What if the strike doesn’t end on time? What if they just fire everyone? How will you get it back? How can you work without your tools?”

“Hun, no matter what happens, we will be okay. We have each other, we have skills. We could always go back down to the planet and I can work for my dad for a while until we get another shot. Don’t cry, Shae, I love you and I’m pretty sure you love me, and that’s enough. We’ll make it enough.”

Shae, dried her tears. She loved her man, that was for sure. And she would start looking harder for work, to make sure that whether the strike ended or not, they got his multi-tool back. She put her head on his strong shoulder again and hugged him tight. Then pushed back again.

“You better go change, your shirt is all wet. And I need to fix my hair and makeup again. We don’t want Mike to think that we were doing anything crazy.” Shae teased.

“And why not? The guy needs to get as awesome a hot wife as I have. A little jealousy would be good for him.”

Shae laughed at Thom and they kissed again.

“Come on, we are going to be late,” She pulled completely away and ran off to the bathroom, just slipping Thom’s grasping hand. She could hear his laughter through the closed door.

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