Saturn's Flight

The little boy looked out the window hand opened on the thick clear glass.

His eyes followed the wet drops as the fell from the sky, landing with a thump to slide. He pressed his face against and blew out breath to leave a vapor of memory.

Paw-Pa would be here soon. He always brought a smile to his drooped cheeks and downward eyes.

His mother came in, wide smile and soft kisses; swooping him up in her arms to lie him on the bed in one movement, pillow under his head she put all his fears to bed by looking up under where he lay. " No surprise mean wizards or ghosts, okay?"

Troy shook his head in understanding and mother left with the door slightly standing open.

The car etched red lamp gave off its fire light as Paw-pa came bustling in and he sat on the edge near his head. He hugged him tight and began. He knew what was expected of him as he started with a soft voice…

***

Twas the night before doom, with the night filled with this special cocoon. It had pedal holes for the feet, a nice furry round seat. It was covered with a red tarp and large circular wide windows that surrounded two deep bucket seats. One seat was made of spicy cinnamon sticks, the other sweet peppermint. And you can take a bite if you wish, for with every bite it grew back in.  The ship was steered with a shiny metal  wand that you pulled north,  south, east and west by your fore finger and thumb. It liked a gentle touch and for the captain to hum.

“ Where shall we go this time? said Paw-Pa with veracity."

"We will go east" said Troy, smiling then laughing as Paw Pa snorted "Oh boy."

They were headed to Saturn and all her many moons and rings. Because Troy liked to ride on the back of the dragon called Queen and grab onto her long blue curls.

Troy set the lever. Paw- Pa pushed the large purple button beneath the secret hiding place which was under his butt. They had thirty seconds to strap up. And off they were with the twirling blades overhead going as fast as a jet.

Through the clouds, pass the stars, over the floating rocks and darkness into the watery rings of the Saturn spoon. It was always filled with aqua blue green warm water, like a big pool and the rings were the slides, so swim shorts were a necessity, as well as courage to ride Queenie back side. Troy liked to stand tall on her back and attempt to grab the stars. Some he had touched and felt the splendor of electricity go through his tendons and joints; its strength closed his eyes tightly shut.

Queenie would fly him beneath the water and  shoot out and upward like a bullet except twirling as a drill, through the air they went in high speed on top and in the many vapor filled gray, purple and white clouds. Troy’s laughter made the wind laugh and the stars would turn around and glimmer bright like diamonds. He walked from star to star on the one’s that were colored green and purple.

Paw-Pa would join him and they would ski through Saturn’s rings, holding on, giggling, and sometimes screaming. When it was over they sat exhausted and knew it was time to go. The stars had lost their glow and the water was turning cold. Queenie waved with her hair and kissed them both with her wide nose. In the blink of the eye her blue and black furry figure went through the cloud to see no more.

***

Paw-Pa rose to his feet and rubbed Troy’s hair as he ended the story.

“Thanks Paw-Pa, you are the best. I can walk in your stories. My legs are strong.”

“They will be soon the same as mine in and out the story. Just believe. Everything will be fine after they make them straight tomorrow at nine. I love you."  He kissed his fore head good night and then switched off the light. The door was shut tight.