At dinner one night, Isaac cleared his throat and called for everyone’s attention.
“I thought you might be interested in a new project your Mum and I are starting,” he said, “and in fact we wouldn’t mind your input. For those who may have been paying attention to the news headlines, it’s been decided to colonise Mars.”
There was chatter amongst the kids then and Isaac held up his hand for silence.
“But before that can happen, the main base, or city, has to be designed and constructed. People from all the United Nations have been putting together teams to design the base, and I have the privilege of being involved in one of the first. If you kids have any ideas at all, I’d like to hear them. Especially regarding recreational facilities for people your ages.”
There were some more questions asked, and suggestions and such during the rest of dinner. Afterwards, nine-year-old Nigel approached Isaac.
“Yes?” Isaac asked.
“Dad… do you think that we could move to Mars?”
“Umm, well, probably not.”
“Aww, why not?”
“Well, for starters, the whole colonisation deal is going to take many, many years. The base has to be designed first, which will take years on its own, and then it will be built. And then they will have to select colonists. They probably won’t want your mother and I - they’ll want younger people.”
“Oh.”
“You really want to get into space, huh?”
“Yeah!”
“Sorry, sometimes it’s hard to tell with you kids and your hobbies, whether they’re simply blow over, or if you’ll want to pursue them professionally,” he shook his head in amusement. “I still haven’t figured out what’s going to come of this contest of Wolvie’s and Gambits’ - who can learn the weirdest instruments.”
Nigel had to smile. Isaac grinned back.
“Look, I certainly cannot guarantee anything, but you might be able to move to Mars. By the time the selection process comes around, you may well be the right age for it. Now all you have to do is give them reasons to select you.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, there are two things that astronauts are that you can start working on. Firstly, they are very fit and healthy. Take up a sport or two,” Isaac had to smile as Nigel turned up his nose, “or if that’s so detestable, ask Matt to show you around the gym. Actually, gymnastics would probably be a good sport for you to take up… but anyway. The other thing is that astronauts, more often than not, go to college and get PhDs in astrophysics or whatever it is they study. I don’t know, but there’s something for you to find out. Obviously, I wouldn’t expect you to start college work now, but working hard at your school work now may make it easier for you later.”
Nigel sighed.
“Okay.”
“Hey, hey, I’m not forcing you to do any of this, I’m just making a suggestion,” Isaac said with a smile and putting his hand on Nigel shoulder. “Your birthday’s in April isn’t it?”
Nigel nodded.
“Hmm… How does a trip to Houston sound? I’m going to give my friend a call and see if he can arrange a couple of VIP passes for a tour around the NASA base.”
“Really? You mean it?”
“Absolutely. I’ll let you know the moment it’s confirmed.”
Nigel gave Isaac a hug.
“Thank you so much Dad!” and he bounded out of the room.
Isaac smiled and Babsie regarded him with an amused look on her face.
“You crazy ball of fuzz,” she said. “You already have those passes don’t you?”
Isaac wriggled his eyebrows at her and grinned.