Joan was holding it in the palm of her hand. It was small and sharp. Ready to fly. “I am looking at it right now.”

Frances hollered, “Joanie! I am so proud of you!”

It unnerved Joan, just how quickly that made her choke up. She cleared her throat. “Thank you, babe,” she said.

“Well, how do you like that?” Barbara said. “My big sister is an astronaut.”

—

Everyone went to the Outpost that night to celebrate. Hank and Jimmy were buying rounds of beers, people were trickling in. It was early still, but getting rowdy quickly. When Duke offered to get a round for the whole bar, everyone in the place cheered, and then Hank turned to Donna and kissed her.

Lydia looked at Joan with her eyes wide. Joan laughed.

“So this is out in the open now?” Jimmy said.

Hank shrugged.

But Donna was beaming. When Donna caught her eye, Joan smiled at her, despite being filled with absolute terror. That one day she might smile like that, so unguarded.

“I suppose it is,” Hank said. And then, just above a shout: “We’re getting married. We thought y’all might as well know.”

The group cheered so loud Joan’s eardrums vibrated.

“Well, knock me over with a feather,” Jimmy said. “Hank giving up on happiness and tying his boat to a dock.” Jimmy laughed. “Good luck having a good time ever again!”

“Real nice, Jimmy,” Donna said.

“I’m just kidding!” Jimmy said. “Hank, get your girl to take a joke.”

“She takes a joke just fine, Jimmy.”

Vanessa arrived just then and came up next to Joan. “Why is everyone cheering?” she said. “The silver pins?”

Joan shook her head. “Hank and Donna are engaged.”

“Wow,” Vanessa said.

“It’s wonderful,” Joan said, but she couldn’t make her voice sound enthusiastic. Donna was hanging on to Hank’s arm, curling right into the space of his shoulder. Joan was mortified for her. “I guess.”

“You aren’t happy for her?” Vanessa said.

“I…they just think they’re very cute, don’t they? Two astronauts in love.”

Vanessa laughed. “Yeah, how awful. Two astronauts in love.”

—

Hours later, the bar had mostly cleared out. Griff, Lydia, Joan, and Vanessa were the only ones left.

“We did it,” Lydia said. “We actually did it.”

“We did,” Vanessa said.

“I didn’t think either of you would make it,” Lydia said, pointing at Vanessa and Joan.

“All right, Lydia,” Vanessa said.

“No.” Lydia shook her head with a fluidity that made Joan realize she was absolutely hammered. “I’m saying…I’m saying…listen to me.”

“Why don’t I make sure you get home?” Griff said.

“Yes, fine, but wait,” Lydia said. “I had good reason to be worried. I mean, Vanessa is a glorified mechanic, okay? Don’t get upset.”

“No,” Vanessa said. “Why ever would I be upset by that?”