"What about the bit where he said he had the power of life and death over us?"
"Well, he did mention that, but he might not have been serious. I don't know what to think any more." She sighed heavily. "And he does have the power of life and death, you know."
We'd been talking together in the galley, alone over cups of instant coffee. Now the door opened and Morrie Grover came in. He gave Gail one of his looks, then turned to me.
"Pretty soft," he said. "You got the only girl in umpteen million miles."
I thought he was kidding and I replied in kind. "Yeah. We're honeymooners. Can't you leave us alone?"
"That wasn't in the agreement," he snapped. I knew then he wasn't kidding.
Come to think of it, we'd all been a little edgy lately—ever since the earth had lost its grip on us. The pleasant feeling within our little group was no more. The honeymoon of the adventurers in space was just as phony as the honeymoon of Gail and me.
"What's the matter, Morrie?" I asked. "Got an upset stomach, or do you just need a cup of coffee? We've got the coffee. Help yourself."
"You're a jerk," said Morrie.
There was no doubt that I was as edgy as anyone. Otherwise, Morrie's attitude would not have set me off. "You're a punk," I replied.