BURN OUT

She shifted the gears, her hands working with dexterity on the control panel. She spoke into the microphone even though I was beside her.

"Commander Judd, we are at minimum velocity and low energy flight trajectory."

Her voice was loud and clear even though the sound of the flames blasting out of the third stage of the Pathfinder was enough to drown her voice.

"Good. We are heading to the Crab Nebulus." I shouted back.

"The acceleration is unstable. We won't even get to Uranus." She argued, strapping her buckle tightly to her waist.

"Then, let's travel at light-year"

She tapped on the control panel and pressed some buttons.

"Light year. Order taken!"

She moved the throttle forward and the Pathfinder leapt upwards.

I looked at the pilot and saw the gleam of enthusiasm in her brown eyes. But maybe it was the glow of the stars ahead. I could see the large clouds of dust and gas. Well, shame on the scientists and astronauts that claimed we couldn't reach the Proxima Centuari with a regular space craft. For goodness sake, we were approaching the Crab Nebulus!

"Slow down, Pilot Jane. Let's behold the wonders of the galaxy."

She released the throttle in response and sat back.

"Woah!" She exclaimed,"The stars are so huge and bright."

"Judd!!" The shout was loud.

"Jane, can you lower your microphone or your voice? You'll scream my eardrums out."

"Not me", she shrugged.

"JUDD!!!!"

The shout was louder now. We snapped out of the galaxy and landed on my bed in my room.

I reached for the stereo system at my bedside and turned off the playback. My bedroom door swung open, and who of all people could it be but my mum? Her face was the color of indignation.

But wait. I'll tell you a little about my family.

My name is Judd Ambrose and for your information, I just turned 16 two days ago. I'm the black sheep of my family. You might wonder what this slender, dark haired boy knows about being a rebel. But I'll explain.

My dad, Dr. Jack Ambrose is a renowned doctor,- probably the best,- in Springfield Memorial Hospital, which is just a little bit distant from our home in Patrick, Chesterfield which is up-north South Carolina. Well, right from his great great great grandfather, the lineage have housed masterpieces in medicine and he's intending to impose the medical caste on me. But unfortunately, I'm reaching forward to be an astronaut, maybe work for NASA.

My mom owns Stitch Perfect, a fashion house in McHennon, which is quite distant from home. She is quite mild, but supports my dad's decisions.

Looking at her face right now, I knew I could be in trouble. When she shifted her stern gaze from me, it fell on Jane who was trying to hide at a corner of my room.

"Jane, to your room", she ordered, pointing to the doorway.

In reply, Jane shuffled out of the room noiselessly and made it across to her room.

I hadn't expected my mom to be back so early. I closed the encyclopedia before me and switched off the disco light.

My mom held up a letter in her right hand.

"You will explain this at dinner time;" her voice was without any sign of emotion.

She stormed out of the room; banging the door hand that I thought the whole house would come crashing down in a second.

I tried to remember what was on the letter because I knew I had seen it before.

"Oh, no"

***************************************

"What's cooking?" My dad's voice rang as he stepped into the house that evening.

Jane stepped up from where she had been solving her sums and went to hug our dad.

"UFO"; she said.

My dad shot me a gaze where I was arranging the cutleries on the dining table.

"UFO?" he asked her, still looking at me.

"Unidentified Frying Object; she replied, taking his suitcase and stethoscope.

My mum stepped out of the kitchen, spreading out her arms for a hug.

"Welcome home, honey."

They spoke in low tones and soon, he walked upstairs to his room.

Few minutes later, we were all at the dining table. The table was square and a red and a green checkered cloth was laid on it. Dad sat at the head. I was opposite. Mom was at my right and Jane was at my left.

Mom served basmati rice on everyone's plate. Then came the chicken. Greens were on our buffet. I took a fork on my left hand and scooped.

 I tried to eat slowly. I could feel gazes on me and I knew I could choke soon.

I reached for the glass and drank some water. That was when I realized that my dad had actually been reading the letter. My hearts went down to my guts. He dropped the letter and looked at me. His eyes looked tired I could even see the creases below his eyes through the glasses. I had once presumed that I could determine his age by counting the stress lines.

"Judd. How many times do we have to go over this again? His voice broke through my thoughts.

"You're determining your child's career", I answered.

"Because you've got to stick to the status quo" His voice was almost a shout.

"It is a heritage you must adopt;" he continued. Suddenly, Jane spoke up.

"According to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, every individual is entitled to freedom of thought, conscience, association and religion."

"Jane, keep quiet." my mum ordered.

But she kept talking.

"In other words, Judd is free to choose his future career".