Astronaut Candy

Astronaut Candy

         Simon had carefully calculated the amount of candy that each member of the crew would be allocated per day. When the mission had first started he had chosen to share his personal candy stash. He thought it would give everyone something special to look forward to on the otherwise monotonous forty month flight to Pluto. After two years into the mission, the numbers just weren’t adding up anymore.

         “I think someone has been stealing candy from my locker”, Simon said to his crewmates during dinner that night. “I won’t be able to share anymore. I just thought I would let you all know.”

         Simon was certain it was Jacob. He thought Jacob was the most appetitive of the crew -- Jacob was always taking more than his fair share of the proteins at mealtime. There had been an unspoken animosity between the two astronauts.

         “What kind of crap is this?” Jacob broke the silence. “You can’t just stop sharing the candy after you promised to share it with us. First you mess up my magazines, now you start hoarding the candy.”

         “I didn’t mean to rip your magazine Simon. It was an accident. Anyways, it’s my candy and I get to control what happens to it.” Simon replied. He was elated that Jacob had taken the bait.

         The rest of the crew continued eating in silence. Simon could see their obvious disappointment in their eyes. His candy was a treat they all looked forward too, and now Jacob had ruined it for everyone. Simon was sure they would all blame Jacob.

         Simon stuck his hands in his pockets and let the candy sift between his fingers. It wasn’t safe in his locker anymore. He thought about counting it one more time just to be sure.

Jan 2011