As the crew of Artemis IV glanced once more at the lunar surface, they knew it was time. They shuffled clumsily toward the lunar lander, ready to begin the process of heading back into the lunar orbit and a rendezvous with Orion for the journey home.

The final NASA astronaut, Tom, appeared to hesitate at the lander door.

Sensing her colleagues unusual motions, fellow astronaut Cassie turned to him.

“Everything okay Tom?” she said, via the intercom.

“Yeah…” he began to reply. “It’s just. I think. I think I’m gonna stay here, you know? Make a go of it.”

“Huh?” Said Jerome, the third crew member.

“Yeah, I’m gonna hang out here and see what I can do with the place,” Tom replied.

“Good joke!” Jerome said. “Now get in lander.”

“I’m not joking. You folks go on without me.”

“Tom,” Cassie interjected. “There is no atmosphere. No access to healthcare. There are wild temperature oscillations. The food is ultraprocessed garbage.”

“Are you talking about the moon, or the United States?” Tom retorted.

Cassie turned to Jerome.

“Yeah you know what I might stick around too.”

#microfiction