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telecommunications booth, similar to the one his wife was in, only his room was dark and cold. Unlike her room, his would not lead to a hallway that ended in a sunny day. “It’s always so dark here. So very cold.”
    “The nights have grown so cold here as well. Without you…” Annie shook her head, angry with herself. She’d given a little pep talk in the mirror before she’d come out, telling herself not to waste any precious time discussing things that might upset her husband. No point making him feel worse than he already did.
    “That’s something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about.” Travis leaned back and scratched his head, a nervous tick he’d had as far back as she’d known him. “I know this has not been easy for you and Logie. I bet it’s been hell. So I know how hard it can be to keep things together while being on your own. I just…I want you to know…” Travis cleared his throat, finding it difficult to continue. “If you need help raising our son, I want you to know that I won’t hold it against you.” Travis took a deep breath, holding back the tears to make his request clear and direct. “My only wish is that you find someone that is kindhearted and good with Logan.”
    “Are you giving me permission to date?” Annie shook her head.
    “I know how lonely you are.”
    “And you’re not?”
    “Please, this isn’t…”
    “Stop,” Annie interrupted, holding out her hands. “I know what you’re trying to do, but it’s not going to happen. It is incredibly difficult to raise a small child on your own, to shield them from the negative criticism they get for having a father sentenced to life of hard labor. But you and I are husband and wife, for better or worse. You’re my husband, the father of my only son. And I will not find some temporary replacement just because the nights are a little rough.”
    “I love you so much.” Travis touched the screen.
    “I love you too,” Annie said, pressing her hand to his. Her attention was called up to a red blinking light in the corner of the screen. “They’re giving us the two minute countdown. I can’t believe it’s over so quickly.”
    “Can I say goodbye to Logie real quick?”
    Annie stood from her chair and opened the door, rushing across the hall to grab her son’s hand and take him from the nursery.
    “Hi daddy.” Logie held up his red robot and waved it back and forth. “I have blanky with me.”
    “I know. You’re turning into such a big boy.” Daniels leaned close and smiled. “I want you to listen to your mother and help her out with whatever she needs. Can you do that for me?”
    “Sure daddy.”
    “I love you both so much.”
    Her husband’s face disappeared and the screen had gone black, broken by the words “Transmission Severed” in the screen’s center. Annie shook her head, agitated she hadn’t been given the chance to say goodbye. Machines weren’t known for their compassion. Annie looked to her son and smiled, gripping his chin while shaking his head slightly.
    “You were a good boy for daddy.” Annie ran a hand through his hair.
     
     

6
    T ravis sat for a moment with his hand on the screen, touching the cold blackness as if his fingertips might conjure up the image of his wife’s face. Never had he felt so far from his family then he did right now.
    “Please exit the telecommunications room and return to your assigned duty.”
    Travis removed his hand and looked up to the small camera mounted in the corner, wiping his eyes. This wasn’t a prison, but still never a great idea to show weakness, especially so far from home. Travis took a final look at the black screen, imagining his wife on the other side, holding their son. He hoped he hadn’t hurt her feelings, suggesting such a radical means to living. But he knew it was better to give her the permission and have her choose a good and suitable man to help raise their son, then to have her fling herself out there in an act of