{"id":41,"date":"2016-02-17T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-02-17T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.emailfrommars.com\/outbound\/2015\/06\/21\/chapter-11-2\/"},"modified":"2015-06-23T19:27:57","modified_gmt":"2015-06-23T23:27:57","slug":"chapter-11-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.emailfrommars.com\/outbound\/chapter-11-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 11.2"},"content":{"rendered":"

From: Emma Devlin
\nSubject: Excitement!
\nDate: November 23, 2018 4:55 p.m.
\nTo: Brandon Devlin<\/p>\n

(CLT): 7 min 53.59 sec<\/p>\n

Sweetheart:<\/p>\n

Great news! We have a new family member: Brandon Richard Montgomery; 9 lbs. 2 ozs; 21 inches; born at 9:02 am, a very sensible baby. Laura gave birth yesterday. (Thanksgiving Day if you haven’t been keeping track by your calendar. How’d you like Miss November?). She’s doing fine, but is tired. I’m going to stay with them while she’s recovering and help take care of the baby. Nathan is awfully funny. You know he doesn’t smoke, so he’s passing out bubble gum cigars. He looks like Groucho Marx (or Churchill?) with that pink cigar clenched between his teeth. You know, I don’t think his feet have touched the floor yet. He’s been so sweet and thoughtful to Laura and won’t let her do a thing, making sure she rests. I like that in a man. The baby reminds me of Rich, with that mop of dark hair. Babies born with hair are always adorable. Some people might argue that those having baldpates are cuter, but I like curls.<\/p>\n

Cradling him and nuzzling that tiny neck brings back so many memories. And, I’ve always loved the smell of baby powder. A few days ago, before I drove up to Boston, I lugged the photo albums out of the closet and started flipping through photos, reminiscing about our lad. I wish you were here with me to share these memories. It’s hard to imagine that we were that young, though I don’t feel much older now than I did then. Memory is a funny thing. I’ll scan and send you a few of the best shots. Wait till you see them. We were quite the good-looking couple, if I do say so. Let me know what you think.<\/p>\n

Also, while Laura was taking a nap earlier, I went to meet Mary for lunch in downtown Boston. She is really missing Carl and is so proud of him for his part in the mission and his first spacewalk. I had only met her the one time, at the press conference, but she is such a sweet girl. I guess she and Carl will be getting married when you all get home.<\/p>\n

Oh, and getting back to YOUR son (LOL), I received a piece of news from Rich. He’s planning on traveling to India during the university’s winter closure period in December. There is a conference on Nano-Technology that one of his professors has invited him to attend, along with a couple of dozen other students. He said they are getting a discounted group rate through Western’s Travel Services, so the cost per person won’t be a killer. And, they’ll be arranging flights, making hotel reservations and the like. The students will be in conference for a week, then spend a week playing tourist. He was being funny and said they would be visiting a cemetery for one (meaning the Taj Mahal). One of his friends suggested everyone ride the bus to their tourist destinations, so they learn more about the country and its people. I hope it’s safer than it used to be. Yes, I know he’s twenty now, but it’s going to be like sending him off to summer-camp. I may be worried the whole time he’s gone. (That’s a mom’s prerogative, ya know)<\/p>\n

But, I know he’s been working hard and deserves to relax. Don’t know when he might get another chance to have an adventure like this. I do know that his engineering program is pretty intense, but Rich seems to thrive on the challenge. He is SO much your son. Think I’ll stick to teaching. It’s also a challenge and I like working with the youngsters.<\/p>\n

I’m relieved things have improved and you’re all now safe. I tried not to worry too much, but that’s part of a wife’s job description (kind of like being a mom). That contraption really works well, from what I heard from Mary. What a terrific idea. You’ve always been a very resourceful person and the six of you make a great team. They ought to have a parade down Broadway when you all return. Wouldn’t that be something to see? I can even see the president presenting you with a medal or at least\u2026 what was in that old Star Trek movie.. ‘a commendation for original thinking’ when Kirk reprogrammed the computer so he could beat the Kobayashi Maru no-win scenario? LOL<\/p>\n

I will be incredibly glad when you are home. I just can’t get used to sleeping by myself, and wake up because you’re not here next to me. When I do drift off, I dream of your body next to mine, snuggled around my back, your warm breath on the nape of my neck, and your hardness pressed against my rear. That always feels so very good. And, I feel safe, and oh so loved, when I am in your arms. Better stop now, so I don’t start crying. I love you and miss you more than I can say. Think I’ll go hug that baby again. That’ll cheer me up to no end.<\/p>\n

Soon, December’s calendar page will be on its merry way. On Christmas day, I will dream of you and picture us together in front of that fire, with you removing my nightie in that special way you mentioned. Sweet dreams.<\/p>\n

Enclosing all of my love,
\nYour M
\nHOLLAND<\/p>\n

< \u2261 \u2642 \u2261 ><\/p>\n

From: Richard Devlin
\nSubject: Christmas break
\nDate: November 25, 2018 8:15 p.m.
\nTo: Brandon Devlin<\/p>\n

(CLT): 8 min 1.54 sec<\/p>\n

Hey Dad,<\/p>\n

Happy Turkey Day! How goes it on the Starship Enterprise? Me, I just got to main campus from Parkview. I’m sure glad they have these Bronco Transit buses. Parking places are at a premium on campus; same as when you were here. Don’t think that will ever change. The car has been parked in the Valley II lot for quite a while and has only been used to go to Bilbo’s for pizza and Bell’s Brewpub for\u2026 soft drinks, yeah, that’s it, soft drinks (same old haunts as you frequented. How’s that for heredity or perhaps programming?).<\/p>\n

And speaking of the Bronco Transit, a friend of mine was chatting with one of the drivers, yesterday. The driver owns an apartment house in the Stuart Historical District and will have an available unit, after the first of the year. My buddy and I are going to rent the apartment. It’s about a two-mile bike ride to campus (in nice weather) and after splitting the cost, rent will run me $425 per month, including utilities. The driver said his wife also works at Western and they get to see each other on their breaks and eat lunch together. It’s nice to see couples that like each other so much. Kinda like you and Mom.<\/p>\n

I guess Mom told you I will be spending winter closure at a conference on Nano-Tech in India. My NT Prof. says we are going to learn how to put an elephant on the head of a pin:<\/p>\n

\"ch11-2a\"<\/a><\/p>\n

I suggested they should have held the conference in Micronesia, but he said it wasn’t going to be that big of a deal. (Get it\u2026 Micro\u2026 Nano?) ROFLMAO We’ll be going in a large group, with lots of “grown-ups”, so not to worry. You know how Mom gets.<\/p>\n

She emailed me about Aunt Laura’s new baby. That’s really awesome.<\/p>\n

Dad, I really love these engineering classes. I think it is in my genes (or at least in my shorts). Woot! I had one Prof. tell me two weeks ago that I was a “chip off the old block”. He’s really old, so I think he may have been one of your instructors and has figured out I’m your son. His name is Edward Michelson. It really made me proud to be compared to you.<\/p>\n

I think the word might be getting around, tho. There have been a few odd people on campus that really seem to be keeping on eye on me. It’s kind of creepy. For the past week or so, it feels like I’m being watched. I don’t like that very much. Probably tabloid reporters or something.<\/p>\n

Well Pops, I guess I will head to class and pretend I’m paying attention. LOL<\/p>\n

Catch ya later, Rich<\/p>\n

< \u2261 \u2642 \u2261 ><\/p>\n

(From Dr. Willis to Commander Lewis, could Devlin’s son, Richard be in danger on the WMU campus or possibly experiencing a little paranoia? I recommend contacting his mother and\/or their family doctor for evaluation and possible counseling if paranoia.)<\/p>\n

After receiving the report and a copy of this e-mail from Rich to his father, Commander Lewis suggested Dr. Willis might be experiencing paranoia and should go to monthly reports rather than weekly. In his opinion, the psychologist’s time could be better spent on other projects, rather than frittering it away on these re-occurring threads. He was getting tired of reading all of these mundane reports, as she appeared to be trying to make herself appear useful to the mission. Being taken aback by the rebuke, the psychologist applied for and was granted an immediate two-week vacation.<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

From: Rick Battles, JPL Mars Tracking
\nSubject: More Mars Quakes
\nDate: November 25, 2018 10:38 p.m.
\nTo: Commander Morgan Lewis, Mission Support<\/p>\n

(CLT): No delay<\/p>\n

Morgan,<\/p>\n

It’s happened again. Same as before, but worse. Intensity 0.6 – 0.9 for 2 _ minute duration, a three-minute pause, then the same thing all over again. Then it stopped. I’m at a loss to explain it. Can your people fire up the truck and get the camera on this? Let me know what you find out.<\/p>\n

Rick<\/p>\n

< \u2261 \u2642 \u2261 ><\/p>\n

From: Commander Morgan Lewis, Mission Support
\nSubject: RE: More Mars Quakes
\nDate: November 25, 2018 10:45 p.m.
\no: Rick Battles, JPL Mars Tracking<\/p>\n

(CLT): No delay<\/p>\n

Rick,<\/p>\n

Thanks, I’ll look into it and get back to you in a few days. I doubt it’s anything to worry about.<\/p>\n

Morgan<\/p>\n

< \u2261 \u2642 \u2261 ><\/p>\n

After clicking the send button, Morgan shut down his computer, flipped off the light, and left for the night. It was nearly 11:00 pm when the gate guard saw Morgan on his cell phone as he sped off the base.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

From: Emma Devlin Subject: Excitement! Date: November 23, 2018 4:55 p.m. To: Brandon Devlin (CLT): 7 min 53.59 sec Sweetheart: Great news! We have a new family member: Brandon Richard Montgomery; 9 lbs. 2 ozs; 21 inches; born at 9:02 am, a very sensible baby. Laura gave birth yesterday. (Thanksgiving Day if you haven’t been keeping track by your calendar. …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":189,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-41","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chapter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.emailfrommars.com\/outbound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.emailfrommars.com\/outbound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.emailfrommars.com\/outbound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailfrommars.com\/outbound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailfrommars.com\/outbound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailfrommars.com\/outbound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":259,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailfrommars.com\/outbound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41\/revisions\/259"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailfrommars.com\/outbound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.emailfrommars.com\/outbound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailfrommars.com\/outbound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.emailfrommars.com\/outbound\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}