Cheri P. “The Astronaut’s Death”

About the Author:

My name is Cheri P. I live in Colorado and have lived here all my life. Writing is a passion for me and I love to create new worlds. I have prize-winning poetry and one has been published in a book of Anthology. I also have two published books out and one is just a short Novella. I was a professional wrestler in my earlier years but realized writing was my true passion.

I love writing poetry, short stories and I am working on my third book but it’s top secret. You can catch some things on my myspace blog@www.myspace.com/bringerofnightmares.

“The Astronaut’s Death”

By Cheri P.

When I first boarded the ship, I knew what I was getting myself into. I have two daughters, one is five, and the other is three. I hugged them both so tightly I thought they would never break out of my arms that day. I kissed them each on their cheeks and looked into their eyes. They looked at me with such respect and love that I couldn’t wait to get back home to them.

It was raining that day. The rain was pounding hard against the concrete of my front porch and the gutters were a bit worn so they were shaking as if they had a soul and they were shivering. I had to force myself out the screen door of my old worn down house, the one I grew up in. I had raised my daughters there since their mother had left three years ago. I had to play both mother and father to Ilene and Dena. It was a tough job but I was doing the best I could. I told myself I was going to be the best father I knew how to be. I tried not to look back as I gripped my duffle bag tightly in my hand but I could not resist.

I looked back and Ilene, had tears streaming down her face as Dena straightened her pigtails. My mother watched me go and the look in her eyes was empty as well. That was the last time I ever saw my family. I don’t know if I will see them again. Only time will tell I suppose.

My name is Joe Moore and I am an astronaut. I’ve studied and worked hard all my life to finally get aboard the first ship that the US is sending to mars. Now that I am floating above earth peering out the window, I’m not so sure it’s where I want to be. There are two other people aboard. One is Captain J.W. Smith and the other is Engineer Rene Devonshire. We were picked out of nearly two thousand candidates to explore the frontier. Once I got up here, I didn’t realize what was going to happen.