De-synchronization (Oct 06 Daily Flash)

I wait for the uplink.

Minerva -5-
completes an orbit every -four-
days and undergoes -three-
revolutions every -two-

milliseconds.

Although it had only been hours for me, it has been

-one-

month for her. The gap between us is widening. Soon it will be impossible for...

- Connection Established -

It’s the middle of the night but he’s dressed up for me. I tell him he looks handsome but don’t mention his hair; he’s always had trouble with bed head.

We agreed a year ago not to talk about the problem anymore. Of course, it hasn’t been as long for him. He seems to be taking things well, but maybe he’s just holding it together for my sake. Instead, we focus on the time we have left. Conversation has been impossible for a few sessions now, so he writes letters – I read these aloud – letters full of memories and questions.

He records everything so he can slow it down, play it back, and hopefully make sense of it all.

We reminisce. I was accepted into the program on the strength of the research I did on cardiomyocytes. It built on the foundational concept that two cells – each beating independently – synchronize when placed together. We celebrated with drinks and a picnic at Dupont Circle. That evening, he pointed to the sky, wondering where he should look to when I’m gone.

I crack a joke about the research I’m doing even now: the effects of spaceflight on the human heart.

I look at him, still as a picture and beautiful, like a feather caught in a breeze. I miss the way he gestures as he speaks. Time is running out and soon I will be counting down the days until we can experience...

- Connection Terminated-

...synchronization.

Author's Note: This is a 297-word entry for the Daily Flash Fiction Contest (Prompt due 2016/Oct/06). Prompt is to use the words: feather, circle, and point.