Flash Fiction – Fly Me to the Moon

This piece was written for Cracked Flash Fiction. For their challenge you get the first sentence and then you need to write a story of 300 words or less.

Fly Me to the Moon

“Are you sure about that?” Renier asked.

“More sure than I have ever been about anything in my life,” Trevor answered and patted the side of the moon rocket.

“It looks a bit small,” Renier said, sipping his whiskey.

“It’s only for one person,” Trevor said. “It’s supposed to be small.”

“So… when are you leaving for the moon?”

“As soon as I’m finished.” Trevor smiled. “Then it’s goodbye earth, hello moon. A vacation like I’ve always dreamed of.”

Renier finished his whiskey and placed the glass on the workbench between screws, tools, and the detritus of Trevor’s invention.

“I’ll see you tomorrow, then,” Renier said and took his leave.

Trevor locked the door after he was gone and walked back to his invention, leaning heavily on his cane. Through the small window of the garage which had become the building platform for the one man moon rocket he could see the full moon in all its glory.

Even with all the space tourism these days he could still remember a time when it was all just dreams and speculation. And he’d promised himself that he would one day visit the moon. One day maybe even live there.

Then it turned out that the space tourism wasn’t only expensive, but also had a cut-off age. And he was too old.

Trevor looked at the rocket. Of course he knew it would never be able to fly, but you needed something to keep you busy during retirement.

He walked to one of the drawers and pulled out a small, hollow replica of the moon rocket. He needed to put it with his will before he forgot. He wiped a tear from his eye and shrugged his shoulders. At least he would have the moon as his final resting place.