He said, "That doesn't mean I like making the choices that way, Diane. We all have our problems, you know."
"You? You have problems? Weaknesses?"
"I've got a few, tucked away here and there."
"Why do you hide them?"
"Because nobody else gives a damn about them." Before Diane could reply, he said, "I sound sorry for myself, don't I?"
"Well . . -"
"Who's this Larry character?"
"He's a very nice guy," she said firmly. "A good agent and a good business manager. He doesn't go whizzing off into the wild blue yonder ... or, space is black, isn't it?"
"As black as the devil's heart," Kinsman answered. "I don't go whizzing off anymore, either. I've been grounded."
She blinked at him. "Grounded? What does that mean?"
"Clipped my wings," he said. "Deballed me. No longer qualified for flight duty. No orbital missions. No lunar mis- sions. They won't even let me fly a plane anymore. Got some shavetail to jockey me around. I work at a desk."
"But . . . why?"
"It's a long, dirty story. Officially, I'm too valuable to risk. Some shit like that."
"Chet, I'm so sorry. Flying means so much to you, I know." She took a step toward him.
"Let's get out of here, Diane. Let's go someplace safe and watch the Moon come up and I'll tell you all the legends about your namesake."
He could hear her breath catch. "That's . . . that's some line."
He wanted to reach out and hold her. Instead he said lamely, "Yeah, I suppose it is."
She came no closer. "I can't leave the party, Chet. They're expecting me to sing."
"Screw them."
"All of them?"
