I sit on a bench, a little more hunched over than I need to be. Being underestimated has been my greatest ally so far, and my cane sells the picture. I can tell it’s working because the boy beside me can’t stop staring.

 

“Mommy,” the boy tries to whisper, “what’s wrong with that man’s skin?”

 

I don’t have to fake the wrinkles, unfortunately.

 

The woman scolds him and turns to apologize, “I’m so sorry, sir. Please forgive my son. He has not seen anyone your age before.”

 

“No sorries needed! I’m not easily offended,” I reply, grinning.

 

The transport station is jam-packed, which is why I’m here. Easier to hide.

 

“I must admit,” she continues, “it’s been a long time since I have seen someone your age.” She lets the statement hang in the air like a question.

 

“Yes, I suppose I truly am a novelty. I hadn’t realized there were so few left here. I like to imagine the attention is from a place of awe and not horror,” I say, chuckling. “I take it your parents were also… recruited?”

Everyone knows “recruited” is a sanitized truth. Labor euthanization is more accurate. If you can’t change the resource supply, then lower the demand.

 

“My father is stationed on Venus. His furlough isn’t for eight more years,” she says.

 

I wish I could offer her some reassurance, but I can tell by the forced strength in her voice that it wouldn’t help to press there. Based on how old the boy looks, I’d be surprised if he ever met his grandfather.

 

She picks up on my mental calculation. “My father left before I had him,” she says and places her hand on the boy's head gently.

 

“I see. And your mother?” I ask, hoping to change the mood of the conversation.

 

“Mercury.”

 

We share a grim look. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.

 

“Where are you stationed?” she asks, saving the interaction.

 

“Earth, actually. Just here on the red planet for another four months.”

 

Her eyes light up, “How is it there? Any updates on the reentrance timeline?”

 

“Unfortunately, I’m not allowed to talk about it.” I lean in and whisper, “But, off-the-record, new colonies should be opening up before the year’s end.”

 

This brings the smile to her face that I was hoping to see. She whispers back, “Thank you! I’ll be sure to take on a few more shifts, then.”

I don’t have the heart to tell her the colonization lottery is a farce. Despite the government’s insistence, qualified labor never increases the odds of selection. But we all need hope, even if it’s imaginary.

 

“Transport approaching. Please stand back from the platform.”

 

“Well, it was so nice to talk to you, sir. Enjoy being with your family. Hold them tightly.”

 

“I intend to.”

 

The roof peels back, and our transport tube descends through the opening. The usual bustling begins. Before I lose sight of the woman and the boy, I feel strong hands grab me around my biceps. I’ve been found.

 

“Close call, old man. You almost made fools of us,” a gravelly voice says from behind me.

 

“I think you had that part covered already.”

Their grip tightens at the insult, and they drag me towards a side exit. I risk a glance at the woman one more time, and to my surprise, she sees me, horror in her eyes. The men move too quickly, ramming me through the door before I can get out a word to her.

“Gentlemen, it seems you have startled my bladder. Would you please allow me to address that? I’m sure you don’t want that smell lingering in your ship for the next week.”

 

It works. One detains me outside the hallway bathroom while the other checks the stalls. “Make it quick.”

 

* * *

 

“Mommy, did that man know Grandpa?”

 

“Maybe so.”

 

“Where did he go?”

 

She was asking herself the same question. Before she can reply, the console in their transport car lights up: “Warning! Colony Defector Alert. Last seen at Heron Station. Capsule eleven bathrooms. Please report any sightings of this man to the local authorities.”

 

“Is that him?” the boy asks. “What did he do wrong?”

 

“Nothing, son. He’s just trying to be with his family.”

 

“Will he get to see them?”

 

She smiles. “Yeah. I think he will.”