The Graduation (22 page)

She let go of his hand and got to work; it was a lot harder getting to a sealed letter with only five fingers. “When will it be visible?”

“It won’t, not without a telescope. In fact, it’s already passed its closest approach to the earth. It’s heading back out into space. But if you want, I can take you out to the desert and show it to you in my telescope.” He watched her fumbling. “Need help?”

“I can manage, thank you. Is it like Halley’s comet? Will it come back?”

“Sure.”

“When?”

“In a couple of thousand years.”

“Then you had better take me to the desert soon.” She finally got the paper out. There was an official seal on top, and words of congratulation and numerous astronomical notations below that made about as much sense to her as did the name given to the comet. She frowned. “I don’t understand?”

“They always let the person who discovers a comet choose its name.” He stopped. “What’s the matter? I thought you would be flattered.”

“I am. It’s just the way you put our names together—”

Michael snapped the letter from her hand. He quickly scanned it and his forehead wrinkled. “I told them to name it Jessica-Michael not Jessica-Olson.”

She nodded. “Uh-huh. Are you sure you’re not trying to tell me something?”

“No, honestly. It’s a mistake.”

“Right. Who’s getting hitched tonight in Las Vegas? And why is it
I
have to be there?”

He turned red. “I didn’t mean that.”

“I believe you.”

“Jessie!”

“The nerve of the guy. He washes my back in the shower once and he thinks I’ve got to marry him!”

Michael started to protest again. Then he stopped and grinned. “I washed a lot more than your back, sister.”

“I haven’t forgotten.” She kissed him shyly. “Maybe I should marry you.”

THE END