Goodbye, My Darling
“I am not going!” Luna screamed, crossing her arms in defiance.
“Yes, you are, dear. You must,” Ela pleaded with her daughter.
“But, why? You could just come with me.” Luna looked sadly at the ground, then added, “I won’t be able to do this on my own.”
“Luna, look at me,” Ela said softly, trying not to break as her daughter’s tearful green eyes stared up at her. “You are one of the strongest people I know—”
“But—”
“Lune. Listen.” Her daughter huffed, but listened with rapt attention. “You are stronger than you realize. And you will get through this. I know it.” Ela crooked a finger, persuading her daughter to come closer. “Let me tell you a secret.”
Luna leaned in to her mother’s words, eager to hear something, anything, that would take away the intense fear and sadness currently residing within her heart.
“Being brave is not something you are born with. It is a choice to do what is right to the best of your ability, even though you are scared. Because, my love, everyone gets scared sometimes. Even me.”
“Even you, mama?” Luna looked up at her mother in wonder. Not once in her short life had she ever imagined that Ela could be afraid of anything.
“Yes,” Ela answered. “But I choose to conquer my fear instead of letting it control me. Do you think you can do that?”
Luna nodded her head shakily. “I think so.”
“Good,” Ela replied. She placed a hand on her daughter’s cheek and observed the small face, desperate to memorize every feature before losing her baby forever. “I am so, so proud of you, my darling. Choose to be brave, and I know you will be alright. I love you so much.”
“I love you, too, mama,” Luna replied with tears in her eyes that mirrored her mother’s own. She ran into Ela’s arms, holding her as close as she could, for, though she was young, she knew that she may never feel the safety of her mother’s love again.
“Goodbye, my darling.” Ela spoke into her daughter’s hair as a soft wind announced the arrival of the hovercar that would carry her child away. “Goodbye.”
Standing there and looking out over the vast expanse of dry desert, Luna no longer felt afraid. It had been years since that tearful farewell, and anger had resided deep in her soul ever since she’d been forced to leave her mother. But, as she’d grown older and more certain of herself and her abilities, a new emotion had taken its place: a determination which overshadowed every other part of her life.
She had no way of knowing what her mother had been doing in these past years, but Luna could feel, deep within her soul, that Ela was still waiting for her. Harsh rules and unwavering enemies had torn them apart, but now, Luna was ready to fight back. Her bags were packed. Her ship was refueled last night. All that was left was to say goodbye to the temporary home she’d first fastened for herself 13 years ago. With one final glance at the bright piles of sand reflecting the sun above, Luna set off, willing to go to the ends of the galaxy to reunite her family once more.