Next of Kin

They board quietly. I set the course.

Two passengers. Female. Related.

The older one walks slowly. Mechanical support at left knee. Rental model. The younger carries both cases. One hard-shell container marked MEDICATION.

They request transit to Orbital Residence Decks, Sector Nine. Long-term occupancy.

The younger helps the older woman into the window seat. She offers a neck pillow. Declined. She adjusts cabin temperature. Incorrect, the older woman says. She offers tea during first meal cycle. Too bitter. Then broth. Too warm. Then mineral water. Not thirsty.

The younger apologizes each time.

They review residence brochures together. Garden access. Shared dining. Medical supervision. Memory support. End-of-life assistance.

The older woman says the prices are unreasonable. The younger agrees.

The older woman says she once intended to see the rings of Talos in person. Then to learn navigation. Then architecture. None occurred.

The younger folds the brochures by category.

The older woman says children reduce a life gradually. Smaller homes. Smaller meals. Smaller plans.

The younger continues organizing documents.

The older woman says motherhood removes silence first. Then sleep. Then choice.

Pause length: seven seconds.

The younger asks why she became one.

The older woman adjusts the blanket across her knees. She says she did not want to die alone.

No further conversation during transit.

The younger upgrades the residence package before landing. The older woman says the expense is unnecessary. The younger confirms the purchase.

I carry people. Their words travel with them.