“You are courageous, Vanessa Ford,” Joan says. “Beyond all measure. You have proven yourself to be of stunning character. And I believe your father would be proud.”

Vanessa does not respond for a moment. But then: “Joan, can I ask you a question?”

“Roger that,” Joan says.

“No, Joan,” Vanessa says. “I need to ask you something. Is it okay to ask you something?”

Joan looks to Jack as if he can help her, but he can’t. Only she knows what Vanessa is intimating.

“Affirmative,” she says. “Yes. Anything.”

Vanessa blows air out of her lungs and then says, “Will you tell Frances that I really wanted to fix the payload bay doors? Will you tell her that I was deeply conflicted?”

Joan has to bite down on the inside of her cheek to stop the tears from forming in her eyes.

“Joan? Did you hear me?” Vanessa asks.

“I heard you,” Joan says. And then: “Vanessa, I heard you.” She tries to steady her voice. “I will tell her. Of course I will tell her.”

“I don’t want her or anyone—I don’t want anyone out there who can hear this right now—to wonder if it’s that I didn’t have anything to live for. I do. Okay? Do you think everyone knows that?”

Joan takes in a deep breath, and Jack catches her eye. She begins to cry. Then Jack nods to her with a downward motion that is so quick, she could swear it never happened. But as he holds her gaze, she understands.

He need not choose any words to convey it. The sentiment—perhaps beyond language—is strong enough.

He puts his hand on Joan’s shoulder. “Tell her what you need to tell her,” he whispers.

Vanessa is wondering if she’s lost the connection, but then Joan’s voice comes back.

“Do you remember when you told me you felt like you’d never met someone who had also seen the color blue before?”

Vanessa smiles. “Yes, I do.”