THREE WEEKS LATER
All those who had managed to get to the end of the desert trip had been given some time off to recover. As far as Junior knew, there were only twelve of them left. He had no idea how many candidates would make the final cut, but he felt certain about one thing: the worst was over.
He was, of course, wrong.
BEATRIX
Are you done?
Shouted his mother from inside the house.
JUNIOR
Not yet!
Junior yelled back from the yard.
Since he was still in the running for a place on Konos' starship, he was exempted from going to school, which was nice. That meant he had a lot of free time to spend with his family, but it wasn't exactly time leisurely spent. At present he was mowing the lawn, just the latest in the long list of chores his mother had lined up for him. Instead of complaining, Junior had wholeheartedly committed to helping her in any way he could.
As soon as he returned home from the desert, he could tell something was wrong. She had gotten thinner, was often sleepy and always looked exhausted. Junior, who blamed himself for it all, instantly agreed to every wish his mother expressed.
AMANDA
Are you really not going to tell him?
BEATRIX
He must not know.
Amanda and her mother were alone in the living room sitting side by side. Junior could not hear them talking.
AMANDA
Mom, you're SICK!
BEATRIX
I'm not as sick as you think I am.
AMANDA
You are just as sick as the doctors say!
BEATRIX
Which is not that sick.
AMANDA
NOT THAT SICK?! Are you kidding me?!
BEATRIX
I'm still alive, aren't I?
Amanda's eyes filled with tears, but she heroically held them back and continued, her voice slightly broken.
AMANDA
Why did you put me in this position? Why should I keep my mouth shut?
BEATRIX
Is there something you are hiding from me?
AMANDA
I'm not hiding anything from you... anymore...
BEATRIX
Good.
They sat in silence for a while. The only noise they could hear was the two-stroke engine of the lawnmower Junior was dragging across the yard, back and forth, the noise gradually getting weaker and then stronger again.
AMANDA
You should tell him.
BEATRIX
I'm not going to.
AMANDA
Why not?!
BEATRIX
This selection means too much to him. He would never be able to get to the end of it if he knew...
AMANDA
There's no way this selection is more important to him than you!
Beatrix didn't reply right away, but contemplated her daughter's words.
BEATRIX
I hope so...
She abruptly stopped talking, only to continue
BEATRIX
I know so.
Her voice was full of regret about every unspoken word between her and his son, but hopeful at the same time.
BEATRIX
Regardless, there's nothing either of you can do for me, so, as a mother...
She had to raise her voice, as Amanda looked eager to interrupt her.
BEATRIX
...as a mother, let me do this for him. Do not make him worry about me.
AMANDA
He's already worried!
BEATRIX
As soon as he's away he'll be able to put me in the back of his mind, but if I told him the truth, that won't leave him. So please, please, don't tell him.
Amanda shook her head no, but her mother's words had touched her. She hadn't just told Amanda to shut up. She had actually pleaded with her not to speak.
AMANDA
Fine. I don't agree, but fine...
BEATRIX
Thanks dear. It means a lot to me.
AMANDA
Yeah, yeah... I know...
Mother and daughter hugged, and soon the emotions got the better of both of them. They shed tears of pain and desperation, both of them powerless against a future they could not change, a future that was doing everything it could to pull them all apart.
