After Suzee made Davenport into a hologram, she was sent off. Davenport felt her hair being blown back by the wind on Mars. She felt so good to be home, even if she wasn't staying there. As Davenport saw her old home, she noticed her car was still parked, and her husband's friends were there. Davenport knew both Anthony and Andrea would think she was totally crazy, but Davenport didn't care.
Davenport was dropped in front of the house. She could hear people talking and laughing. She was able to go in the house without opening the door.
When she stepped in, she saw Andrea and made sure she didn't see her yet. Anthony had two friends over, and they were watching some old movie. Davenport knew what the movie was but couldn't remember the name. For about another hour, they stayed right where they were. Davenport looked at her family the whole time.
After the movie was over, both of Anthony's friends left, making sure they remembered to wish Andrea a happy birthday. Neither one of them mentioned Davenport, and she wondered if Anthony had told anyone.
"Andrea..."
Andrea turned. "Who's there?"
"Andrea, its me. I'm home," Davenport said. She had waited a long time to say that.
"Mom! You're here!" Andrea got up and ran to her. She ran right through her. "You're not here." She made sure she couldn't touch her by waving her arms around. When they went right through her again, Andrea said,"Mom, did you lose weight?"
"Theresa!" Anthony exclaimed. "How did- where did-how-"
Davenport tried to explain to them about holograms. "I have twenty-four hours. I've already been here for an hour."
"Why didn't you say anything?" Andrea asked. "Well, it doesn't matter now. I can't believe you're alive! You know, when I went to your memorial service, I swear you have a lot of friends. I never believed you were alive until now. How are you? How's Harlan? And everybody? Is everyone alive?"
"Everyone's alive," Davenport said. "Catalina's been put into a new demension, but we're all alive. How are you?"
"We're great now!" Anthony said. "I can't believe you're here." The phone rang. Andrea jumped up, but Anthony told her to let it ring.
"How is everyone?" Anthony asked. "How's Seth?"
"He's good. A little beat up when Suzee came, but fine. He's our Commander, you know."
"No! Seriously? That's so cool! Does he like being the Commander of the kiddie crew?"
Davenport laughed. "He sure does."
They spent the evening talking and laughing. Davenport felt it was so great to be home. But soon she'd have to go back to the Christa.
She wanted to go out or something, but Anthony refused. When Davenport asked him why, she said,"You're a hologram. And only we can see you. Did you ever know anyone with an invisible friend?"
They had no idea why her mother started cracking up then.
"Oh, never mind," Anthony said. "I still can't believe you're here!"
"Well I am." Davenport was so happy she felt like doing cartwheels.
As if reading her mind, Andrea turned three perfect cartwheels in a row.
"Wow!" Davenport said, impressed. "You've been practicing your gymnastics!"
"Yeah!" Andrea said. "When you left, I decided to go for it. I said to myself, 'Mom would want me to keep going. Go for your dreams, you always used to tell me. And that was when I thought you had...." Andrea paused.
"I had what?"
"I thought you had died!" Andrea burst into tears.
"Oh, sweetie!" Davenport wished shecould hug her daughter. But she couldn't. "We've survived. We've handled it all. I'm not dead."
"Thank goodness!"
Just then, there was a big flash of lightning.
"What was that?" Davenport asked.
"Artificial lightning," Anthony said.
"For what?"
"I don't know. Some experiement. It's a secret."
Davenport peeked out the window. Then she shrugged and sat down. She almost fell through the floor.
That made Andrea laugh.
Davenport looked at the timer Suzee had given her.
She had two minutes left.
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