The Man on the Moon
Miguel had always dreamed of going back to the moon. He was one of the first mechanics who worked on the construction of the lunar base, back in the 2020s. He spent two years living and working in a cramped module, enduring the harsh conditions and the isolation. He was proud of his contribution to humanity's expansion into space, but he also missed his family and his home on Earth.
He never thought he would have the chance to return to the moon, until his granddaughter Lysandra surprised him with a ticket for his 70th birthday. She was a college freshman who had saved up enough money to go on a vacation to the moon for spring break. She wanted to take her grandfather with her, as a way of celebrating his milestone and having some fun.
Miguel was overjoyed and grateful for the opportunity. He packed his bags and boarded the shuttle with Lysandra, eager to see how much the moon had changed in forty years. He expected to find a modern and advanced society, but he also hoped to revisit some of the places where he had worked and lived.
Lysandra, on the other hand, was not interested in the past. She was excited about the present and the future of the moon. She wanted to see the sights, the attractions, and the nightlife of the lunar city. She had heard stories of how fun and exciting it was to vacation on the moon, where gravity was low and spirits were high.
She loved her grandfather, but she also wanted to have some fun on her own. She planned to sneak out of their hotel room at night and join some of the local clubs and bars, where she could meet new people and have new experiences. She figured her grandfather would be too tired or too nostalgic to notice.
She was wrong.
Miguel noticed that Lysandra was gone every night. He also noticed that she was tired and distracted every morning. He confronted her about it, and she admitted that she had been going out without him. She apologized for lying to him, but she also defended her choices.
"Grandpa, I'm sorry for sneaking out, but I'm here to work and have fun. I'm not here to look at old buildings and dusty rocks. This is not your moon anymore. This is a vibrant and dynamic place, full of life and energy. You should try to enjoy it too."
She said with a defiant tone.
Miguel felt hurt and angry. He felt that Lysandra was disrespecting him and his history. He felt that she was missing out on the true beauty and wonder of the moon.
"Lysandra, I'm sorry for being boring, but I'm here to relive and share my memories. I'm not here to party and get drunk. This is still my moon, as much as it is yours. This is a sacred and special place, full of history and meaning. You should try to appreciate it too."
He said with a sad voice.
They argued for a while, until they realized that they were not going to convince each other. They decided to agree to disagree, and to respect each other's preferences. They agreed to spend some time together during the day, visiting some of the landmarks and museums that Miguel wanted to see, and some time apart at night, letting Lysandra do what she wanted to do.
They hoped that this compromise would work, but they soon found out that it didn't.
One night, Miguel decided to follow Lysandra when she sneaked out of their hotel room. He wanted to see what she was doing and who she was meeting. He put on his jacket and his hat and walked out into the dark streets of the lunar city.
He followed her from a distance, trying not to be seen or heard. He saw her enter a neon-lit club with a sign that said "Moonlight". He waited outside for a few minutes, then entered after her.
He looked around the crowded club, searching for Lysandra among the dancing and drinking people. He saw her at a table with a group of friends, playing a game of cards. He saw her smile and laugh as she won a round.
He felt a surge of curiosity and concern. He walked towards them, pushing his way through the crowd.
He reached them just as they were about to start another round.
He tapped Lysandra on the shoulder and said:
"Lysandra! What are you doing? Who are these people?"
He asked over the loud music.
Lysandra looked shocked and embarrassed. She turned around and saw her grandfather standing behind her.
"Grandpa! What are you doing here? How did you find me?"
She asked over the loud music.
Miguel looked at her with a mix of disappointment and concern.
"Lysandra, I followed you. I wanted to see what you were up to. I'm sorry, but I don't approve of this. You're wasting your time and money on these games and drinks. You're not being responsible or respectful."
He said with a firm voice.
Lysandra felt a surge of anger and resentment. She pulled away from him and stood up.
"Grandpa, you have no right to follow me or judge me. I'm an adult. I can make my own decisions. I'm sorry, but I don't need your approval or your lectures. You're being nosy and controlling. You're not being supportive or understanding."
She said with a loud voice.
The people around them noticed the commotion and turned to look at them. Some of them recognized Lysandra as a regular customer and a friend. They didn't like the way her grandfather was talking to her. They decided to intervene.
"Hey, old man, leave her alone. She's having fun. She's not hurting anyone. You're being rude and annoying. You're not welcome here."
One of them said with a hostile voice.
Miguel looked at them with a mix of surprise and indignation. He didn't know who they were or what they wanted. He didn't care about their opinions or their threats. He only cared about his granddaughter and her well-being.
"Hey, young man, mind your own business. She's my granddaughter. She's in trouble. She's hurting herself. I'm being concerned and caring. I'm here to help her."
He said with a defiant voice.
The people around them didn't like his attitude or his words. They felt that he was lying and meddling. They wanted him to leave and never come back. They decided to act.
"Hey, old man, you heard me. Leave her alone. Or else."
One of them said with a menacing voice.
He pushed Miguel away from Lysandra and towards the exit.
Miguel stumbled and fell to the ground. He felt a sharp pain in his chest and his head. He looked up and saw Lysandra standing over him.
She looked at him with a mix of fear and guilt.
"Grandpa! Are you okay? What's wrong?"
She asked with a worried voice.
Miguel tried to speak, but he couldn't. He tried to breathe, but he couldn't. He tried to smile, but he couldn't.
He closed his eyes and thought of the moon.
He opened his eyes again to find himself in a bed. It was a hospital. The lights flickered above him.
“Good evening patient,” a robotic voice came from all around him, dripping with friendliness. “Please wait while we fetch a nurse.”
Miguel turned his head to the window. He saw a bustling city, full of lights and buildings and people. It was a vast contrast from the stark gray lunar landscape of his youth.
One day we’ll complain about the people gentrifying the moon. After waves of people move up there, we’ll find new things to complain about and new ways to divide ourselves. The discourse will grow more toxic.