text: Tess grasped the bale firmly and hoisted it onto the trailer as Toby cranked the ratchet strap. "Thirty nine." she panted, "That'll do paw?" Old Nel stretched until his back cracked before leaning against the wheel to wipe his brow. "Yep, I reckon that'll do. Go fetch me a water will ya Toby?" he groaned. Toby hopped down and ruffled his little sisters hair as he passed by, much to her annoyance. "Quit it." she mumbled. The harvest grew more bountiful with each year, and old Nel reckoned they might hit fifty bales next time. Tess latched the trailer flap and tested the straps. When she was satisfied they were taught enough, she took her place by her fathers side and cast her eyes skyward. "It's so beautiful, aint it paw?" she sighed. The red planet shone brightly in the night sky, like a firefly among the pale stars. "I don't know what yer fascination is with that place." said Nel. Toby watched through the farmhouse window as he filled a glass from the reclaimer. "I wonder what it's like. They say that there was water up there once, long ago." said Tess. Old Nel straightened up and placed his hand on Tess's shoulder. "Well, the only thing on that rock now is sand, and a view." he said. The farming life was a fine way to live, free from the commotion and hassle of the big cities. At least, that's how old Nel felt about it. For Tess, the call to adventure was ever present, a thirst she was desperate to quench. Thirteen was a difficult age for anybody, especially when you were stacking bales and milking cows. "Paw, when I grow up, I wanna fly in one of those rocket ships!" Tess exclaimed. Old Nel laughed. "Is that right?" "Yes paw. I'm gonna be the talk of the town, you'll see! The first astronaut in all of New Haven. I'll fly to the stars, and bring some o' that red rock back with me!" "Smart girl like you, I reckon you just might. I can see it now, your name in lights: Tess, finest astronaut in New Haven" Tess jumped at old Nel, and he caught her in his arms. "Now go on inside, maw'll just about be ready with dinner I reckon." said Nel. Tess glanced back up at the red planet a final time before charging for the farmhouse, passing Toby on the way. "You know, you're gonna have to tell her one day. Everyone knows you can't go there no more." said Toby. Old Nel took the water and finished it in one go. "Let her dream a little longer." he said, "It ain't doin harm for a little girl to dream." Toby crossed his arms and leaned with his father. "Your daddies granpaw was one of the last to leave, wasn't he paw?" he asked. "He sure was." "What happened to Earth anyhow?" asked Toby. Old Nel sighed. "Too much o' the wrong things.