Cretaceous Sea

Con looked up at the stars. 'There are so many!' she exclaimed, amazed despite herself. Then she hardened her tone. 'Why are you bothering me?'

'I just need to talk.'

'About what?'

Rick sighed. 'I shouldn't have walked away this morn-ing. I feel like a jerk.'

'I forgive you. Now will you go away?'

'I was almost killed as a kid. It shakes you up bad. The world becomes a different, a scarier place.'

'It does,' agreed Con in a small voice.

'I had to talk to someone about it before it got better. I pulled you from the sea this morning, I'd like to help you the rest of the way.'

Con slumped down on the stone step of her quarters. Rick moved to sit on the step a few feet away. 'I can't talk about it,' she mumbled. 'It's too ... too ...' Con sniffled.

'It's all right,' said Rick gently. 'You can cry. It was a terrible experience.' Con seemed about to melt into tears when she abruptly stiffened and glared at Rick accusingly. 'You were watching me!'

'No... honest!' said Rick. 'James sent me to check on you. You were already in the water when I spotted you.'

'God! I'm so embarrassed.'

'Don't be. I've seen lots of women undressed,' lied Rick. 'I mean ... everyone bathes in the river on fossil digs. You get used to it.'

Con found herself wanting to believe him. 'You must think I'm a real pain.'

'Not at all. You were just enjoying yourself. I feel I let you down.'

'You saved me! I should have thanked you instead of... of...'

'Don't worry about it. You were in shock. I only hope this place isn't ruined for you.'

'I'm afraid it is. I just want to go home.'

'Could you give it... give me ... another chance?' pleaded Rick. 'There's something I want to show you.'

'What?'

'It's on the beach. This time, I promise it'll be safe.'

Con sensed Rick's desire to make things good after the morning's disaster. He seemed so disarmingly earnest and humble, she couldn't remain mad at him.

'Please, Constance.'

'All right,' she said. 'If you're sure it's safe.'

'Guaranteed,' Rick said buoyantly.

'Call me 'Con.' That's what my friends do.'

Rick led Con along a path to the beach. A nearly full moon was rising, and the way was easy to see. When they reached the cliff over the beach, the moon had cleared the horizon. Con gazed at the moonlight sparkling on the sea and felt the return of the wonder she had experienced at the beginning of the day.

'The moon's so big,' she said.

'It's closer to the Earth than it is in our time.'

'Is that what you wanted to show me?'