The Statue. Wolf Mari

John Emery hurried out to meet me.

      "Morning, Lewis," he said. "Going to town?"

      I shut off the motor and nodded. "I want to catch the early shuttle plane to the spaceport," I said. "I'm going to the city to buy some things…"

      I had to lie about it. I didn't want anyone to know we were even thinking of leaving, at least not until we had our tickets in our hands.

      "Oh," Emery said. "That's right. I suppose you'll be buying Martha an anniversary present."

      I stared at him blankly. I couldn't think what anniversary he meant.

      "You'll have been here thirty-five years next week," he said. "That's a long time, Lewis…"