The colony had tried to offer Jack his own quarters back, but Gram wouldn’t hear of it. “He’s practically family,” she said. And he doesn’t mind sleeping on the couch. It’s a million times better than sleeping with a rock under your back. It’s funny to think Gram used to be a speaker herself. I can’t imagine my father letting someone sleep on a couch.I put my hand to the door scanner, it glows green, and the door slides open. Gram gathers me into her arms. I breathe deeply, taking in the scent of freesia and nutritionally optimized bread slices. It sends a pang through my heart. Not everything in the colony is bad, and there are some things I really miss.Gram runs her hands over my hair and then holds my face and just looks at me for several seconds. Then she breaks into a wide smile.“It’s so nice to see you again, Terra. You’ve been missed.”Not by everyone. But I don’t say it or spell it; it would be too hurtful. That doesn’t stop Gram from reading it in my expression, though.
