Word meanings: fiction 7

Mission Agricultural Rescue

1. I held my breath, anxiety flip-flopping in my stomach as Mom began to read the e-mail. Her brows furrowed after a moment, and she stopped reading to look up from the screen to meet my pleading gaze.
2. “You want to stay here? Even though it isn’t safe anymore? You are fully aware that we’re all scheduled to leave for Mars at the end of the month?”
3. “Mom," I began, attempting to deflect her refusal, my voice already rising in apprehension. “It’s an incredible opportunity, and I want to do it.”
4. I’d been selected to serve on the Horticultural Mission team, a group staying behind to try to save the dying Earth. It was a tremendous honor, granted to only a few students, and I desperately wanted to accept the nomination.
5. “Jasmine, you don’t understand. I know you love your gardening, Sweetheart, but this is more than a science project—this is your life!”
6. And I guess I could give her that. It was a pretty arduous mission for a teenager—working with a team of scientists to try and rehab the planet while everyone else was fleeing to Mars.
7. “Mom, this is my chance to make a difference, to do something impactful to change the world. I’m not a baby anymore, and I want to do something with my life—something meaningful, for me and for others.”
8. For as long as I could remember I’d loved plants. Inside my greenhouse, I was greeted with a world of vibrancy and life—a stark contrast to the devastation of smog and pollution evident elsewhere. It was my greenhouse that had gotten the attention of my teacher, Mrs. Mattox. One morning before school I clipped a tender pink rose and took it to school for her. She was amazed—it’s pretty rare to see flowers anywhere. Later she came over and took a walk through my greenhouse, and she was the one who’d submitted my application to work with the team.
9. “It’s incredibly dangerous," said Mom. “What if something happens to you?”
10. “Like being forced to live on Mars in an air-controlled dome? How’s wearing a protective mask here any different? This is my chance to try to rehabilitate Earth.”
11. Mom sighed and closed her eyes.
12. “You don’t have to say yes, yet, Mom," I said, stepping closer and taking her hand. “Just don’t say no. Talk to Mrs. Mattox—she can give you the answers for any reservations you have. Just don’t say no before you even hear about the program.”
13. “OK," Mom said, opening her eyes and looking toward me. “I can give you that much. I’ll talk to her in the morning.”