Tanya and Abby

Abstract

“You look about a thousand percent better.” Abby sat beside Tanya on a hard galley chair, plunking down a steaming heap of oatmeal next to Tanya’s dainty yogurt cup. “What kind of math do you atmospheres people make, a thousand percent? You are crazy, my little Anya.” Nobody else called Abby Anya; it was Tanya’s endearment for her. She liked it. Not many people called her by nicknames or cute little endearments these days. She knew it was her own fault. It was the simple result of keeping people at arm’s length. Titan was that way, would have to be that way. A place to accomplish, to make up for lost time, lost opportunity…other losses. But the loneliness made it all the more difficult. True, she was surrounded by people, but one can be in a crowd and still be alone.