Refried Scenes

It's a while, after the last ill-fated time, before they port again with the intent to do more than refuel and leave again as quickly as possible. But this time the planet is verdant and cool, and Sagramore says, "I think we'll stay a few days. If you'd like to go ashore just let me know so I won't worry."

In actuality he's the one who's mostly ashore; he seems determined to get in as many card games and ill-advised sexual encounters as possible in the short time they have, though he always returns to the ship at night and apprises Elaine of the situation. Somehow since they've been together he's become unwilling for her not to know what's going on, and even when the news is fairly trivial he still likes to sit at the galley table with his coffee mug warm between his palms and inform her: Well, not a productive day, I won a few cred but nothing worth the telling. Avoided a fight, though the fellow was certainly spoiling for one.

He often brings her back little gifts, most of them highly practical: a new coffeemaker, some of the precious spices he hoards for cooking, a more complete sewing kit, a handheld tablet of her own to work on. Still, he's also been collecting tapes when he finds them, too, at second-hand shops and booths -- the small library she's beginning to develop is varied, since he's still guessing at her taste.

One afternoon when he comes back from the docks he's lacking his usual easy stride. His face is ashy, and as soon as he gets in he goes to the galley and retrieves one of the bottles of homemade liquor he keeps in a cabinet by the sink, before sitting heavily at the table. The small satchel of tapes is forgotten on the other chair.

The wound is coming along nicely. Sagramore has done most of the care on it himself, though he also tends to ask Elaine to watch him and take note of what he does and how it's treated -- "On the chance something happens at some point," he says. "It's better to know how to do it now."

He seems by turns happy and wistful, cheerful and sad, and it's hard to guess what mood he'll be in from day to day, though he's always kind to her. This week has been largely less than positive; he spends a great deal of time in the control room, looking at the displays full of stars, and would have missed a few meals if she didn't bring him food. He's been making an effort to drink less, though. At least there's that.

It's evening when he wanders into the galley after coffee, looking tired, the lines on his face more pronounced than usual.