The room was big, and the couch the two boys were sitting on felt vast. Pillows in different shades of blue and burgundy helped them settle in. The walls were covered with pictures of other kids — a girl with wide eyes looking at a Martian butterfly, a group focused on drawing, and others with paint on their faces. Next to them were lots of drawings, mostly of Dr. Ohemah and her home.

  Dr. Ohemah entered her office. There was a stiffness in her eyes, her lips tight — but she lit up just before turning to face the boys. Her smile changed her whole face, Ty thought, and he immediately felt calmer. They hadn't done anything wrong, at least. Ty sat as close as he could to his brother and felt Jamaal relax a little, too.

  "Hey boys, how are you two today? I saw you playing soccer with Amir in the school yard earlier."

  Ty nodded. Dr. Ohemah knelt in front of them and held out her hands. They each took one. She smiled. Ty thought it must be like how a mother smiles — because it made him feel warm inside, and he couldn't help but smile too.

  Somehow, Jamaal didn't. And Ty immediately stopped.

  "You both know that all the kids here in my home, and in the school, are children of parents who do important work in space, right? And so are you two. In fact, both of you were born in space. On a very special mission. You know the story."

  "Tell it again," Jamaal said.

  "Hahaha, okay. But listen carefully — because it's not the same story you boys told Amir."

  The two boys looked down.

  She knew.

  "It's okay. There's nothing wrong with dreaming about one's parents. Or wishing things were different."

  Stolen story; please report.

  She took a breath.

  "You two gems are the sons of two brave engineers and space explorers — Anjali and Samuel Singh — who worked on the famous HMSS EUREKA. The ship that was the first to reach the Sirius System, which was at the time the furthest any human had ever travelled. On these journeys, Anjali and Samuel fell in love. And soon, you two were born. But it isn't healthy for babies to grow up on a starship, so you were brought here to live with me."

  Ty and Jamaal both listened carefully now.

  "EUREKA kept exploring. Uncovering amazing things about our universe. Because of that ship, we now have space stations across many places in the galaxy. But space travel can be dangerous. That's why only the bravest are chosen — like your parents."

  She paused again.

  "Unfortunately, there was an accident aboard the EUREKA. We don't know exactly what happened. One day, we lost the signal. No more messages. No distress call. And every search since then has come up empty."

  She looked at them gently.

  "And as you know... they would have been back years ago. Not next month, as you told Amir."

  Ty's face froze. Jamaal's lip quivered.

  "It's okay to cry. Your parents were amazing people. I can see that in both of you. And I know — I know — they loved you deeply."

  She reached out again and gently pulled them both into a hug.

  "And even though they aren't here anymore... I'm so glad you are."

  Jamaal began to sob. Dr. Ohemah held them tighter.

  "It's okay to make up stories about your parents. But I also want you to know the truth. Even when it's hard. Trust me... It's better to face it than to live in a fantasy."

  They stayed like that — hugging for what felt like an endless time to Ty.

  In the end, he stood up. Wiped his nose on his sleeve. Then grabbed Jamaal's hand.

  "It's okay, Jamaal," he said. "I'm not going anywhere. We'll stick together, that's the rule."

  Dr. Ohemah smiled gently. "Yeah, you two do that, that's a good rule."