LtJg Lera Michaels - What About The Boy?

[steve...@yahoo.com]

((Deck 14, Room 148, Michaels’ Quarters, USS Khitomer))

Lera sat in her room staring at the communications screen. She repeated her Vulcan breathing exercises for the fifth consecutive time without any success. It did not calm her nerves in the slightest. The call needed to be made. She wanted to make it. She wanted to share the good news of her promotion with her parents. Still, there was the certainty that other topics would come up. Awkward topics that she did not wish to discuss yet, but which would have to be discussed. Some day. Sometime when she was more certain of ... things.

One last deep breath. One last time, opening and clinching her fists.

The call had to be made.

Michaels: Computer: Initiate a subspace call to Kellan and Samantha Michaels in Marathon, Texas.

It took a moment for her father to acknowledge the call, but as soon as he did, Lera's father grinned broadly.

Kellan Michaels: Hi there, Punkin. Turning to look off-screen, Kellan yelled, "Sam. Pick up on the other box. It's Lera". :: back to the screen :: Your mother will want to be in on this.

Michaels: I suspected as much.

A heartbeat later, Lera's mother was on the left side of Lera's viewscreen.

Samantha Michaels: Lera! Hello, sweetheart. :: a shadow of a frown crossed the older woman's face. :: Is everything all right? Are you eating enough? You look a little thin.

Lera smiled and shook her head. Her mother was in her usual form.

Michaels: Yes, Mother. Everything is fine. Everything is better than fine. I have good news. I was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade this evening.

S. Michaels: That's wonderful. :: brief pause :: What does that mean? Does that mean you're in charge of the ship?

K. Michaels: Sam. We've talked about this. Lieutenant Junior Grade is one step up from Ensign.

Michaels: That is correct. I would need to be promoted to Commander...three more steps at least... before I would be given command of a ship. But I am on my way. Things are going well.

K. Michaels: Congratulations, Punkin.

S. Michaels: Yes. Yes. That is very good news. :: beat:: Does that synthesized food agree with you? You look a bit tipsy if you don't mind me saying it.

Lera had expected that subject would come up. Perhaps it would have been better to wait a day or two before calling home. Too late now.

Michaels: There was a big celebration after the award ceremony. Several people received awards and promotions. :: she smiled at the camera. :: You know how sugar and chocolate affect me. Let it suffice that I celebrated. I was careful not to have too much.

S. Michaels: I should hope so. You never know how those rapscalions will treat you if you aren't in full control. You remember what happened with Jorge Gonzales.

Lera sighed. That episode again. The memory was not pleasant. Nothing more serious than some unwanted exposure resulted, but her mother would always interpret it as a major violation of her daughter.

Michaels: I remember.

S. Michaels: I hate to think what would have happened if your girlfriends hadn't arrived in time. :: Lera's mother shook her head. :: I gave his mother a piece of my mind. I'm still angry about that. But speaking of girlfriends, how is that lady friend you brought to the house doing?

Michaels: Ginny is doing fine. That does bring up another topic.

S. Michaels: You and Ginny aren't getting married, are you?

And there it was; the subject of marriage. Lera knew the further escalation was now inevitable.

Michaels: What?? No. Ginny is just a good friend who had nothing to do over shoreleave. You don't have to get all weird about it.

S. Michaels: Well, you never know.

Michaels: I know. :: pause:: I am not certain if bringing up the other topic would be a good idea if you are going to get weird on me.

S. Michaels: I promise I will not get weird. Cross my heart. :: beat :: It's a boy, isn't it?

Michaels: Mother!

Lera folded her hands and leaned back. Katherine had not mentioned it or her mother would have never said anything about Ginny. And now, Lera was certain that her mother would get all goofy when Lera mentioned Ezra. There was no avoiding it. The discussion had to be held sometime, and now was as good as any.

Michaels: It is a young man and his name is Ezra.

S. Michaels: I knew it. So. Tell me everything. Ezra. That's an old-fashioned Human name, isn't it? Is he a Human or a Vulcan?

Michaels: No. He is a Trill.

S. Michaels: A Trill. What's a Trill?

K. Michaels: Trills are those folks with the spots on their sides. You've seen them in vids.

S. Michaels: They're the ones with the giant slugs living inside them?

Michaels: Those are not slugs; they are called symbionts. Ezra does not have a symbiont. :: longish awkward pause :: Ezra is a really nice man. He is a security officer on Khitomer. :: anticipating her mother's confusion:: That is something like a soldier or a police officer. They help protect the ship.

K. Michaels: When do we get to meet him?

Thank you, Dad. Almost instant trust and acceptance.

S. Michaels: And just how serious is this relationship? Are the two of you doing something I might not approve of?

Michaels: Mother! That is none of your business, and we have not done anything we would not be willing to do with you watching. You are getting weird on me, and if you are going to be like this, you might get to meet him at our wedding, assuming something like that ever happens.

S. Michaels: So you are going to marry him.

Michaels: Mother! Please! I did not say that. :: beat :: If you keep this up, I will disconnect this call.

S. Michaels: You know me. You know I am curious, and I am concerned for you.

Michaels: I know. I apologize for being snippy. Just ... please. No more like this.

S. Michaels: Very well. You said he is a nice man.

Michaels: I like him a lot, and I know he likes me as well. You will like him. Whether this relationship will develop into something deeper or long lasting... I do not have sufficient information.

K. Michaels: You haven't answered my question.

Michaels: I know. Assuming we are still in a relationship :: momentary glare at her mother :: You will probably get to meet him the next time we are near Earth.

S. Michaels: I will reserve judgment on that. Tell me about his mother.

Michaels: :: momentary confusion :: His mother?

S. Michaels: You can always tell how good a man is by how he treats his mother.

Michaels: Ezra does not talk much about his mother.

S. Michaels: Find out about his mother. Then you will know. And I do want to meet him.

Michaels: Only if you promise to behave yourself.

S. Michaels: You know me.

Michaels: I know you, and that is why I want a promise.

——— ☼ ——— LtJg Lera Michaels

Engineering Officer
USS Khitomer
K240106LM2