Posted by Civilian Halai Cosgrove (Head of Science and Terraforming) in Maza’s Kitchen- Lunch

Posted by Civilian Astrid Rousseau (Head of the Judicial System) in Maza’s Kitchen- Lunch

Posted by Civilian Halai Cosgrove (Head of Science and Terraforming) in Maza’s Kitchen- Lunch

(snip)

Halai understood, or at least in part. It wasn’t the same, but once again she found symmetry between her and Astrid’s stories. “May I ask about your mother?” she asked softly, not wanting to make Astrid upset, but wanting her to know she understood. “I lost mine when I was ten.”

~Halai Cosgrove

Ï am sorry.” She responded with genuine sympathy. Ï lost my mother when I was young as well, 13. Her and my brother Rene in a shuttle explosion. I think that really was what tore my family apart, or at least started the cut that would eventually tear when my father brought home a new wife and her son. He had not talked with us about it. We had never met her and sad to say, she did not engender kindness or goodwill among the remaining children when she did come into our lives.”

Halai shifted uncomfortably as the story provoked a strange sensation in her. It was her story and yet parts of it were in reverse. It was a strange feeling to have both the insider and the outsider’s perspective on something.

“I remember my mother so much. She was so gentle and kind. I think if she had lived, our family would have been very different.”

Astrid Rousseau, HotJ

“Isn’t that the truth,” Cosgrove said thoughtfully. “I feel the same way. My life would be utterly different. Who knows, I might not even know my father all that much or even have joined Starfleet.” Halai turned her glass slowly as she gazed that the liquid. “My father is married and has two children. But before those children were born and while he was married, he met my mother while his ship was at our planet. I was born awhile after he left. I only met him twice before my mother died and he took me to live with him on his starship. None of his family knew about me until the Dominion War and he was forced to send me to his parents on Earth to live.” She smiled thinly and looked up at Astrid. “My step-mother despises me, resents my very existence and there is not a conversation or interaction I’ve ever had where she’s not made that clear. And it meant that it was hard to get to know my half-siblings. I still don’t know my brother well at all, but my sister… well, as complicated as that is, we were getting to know each other, finally, after all these years.”

Astrid had hoped when her new step brother had come to live with her and her family, that they would become siblings. Having such loving relationships with both her brothers, she naively thought he would just be another wonderful brother. That had turned out not to be the case. She had learned quickly that he was not to be trusted around her or her sister. She had learned his cruel streak matched his mother’s in its ferocity and damage.

Halai sighed. “I know nothing about your step-mother and brother, but I do know how difficult family blending can be. All I know about Janine, my step-mother, is that when she looks at me she feels fear and inadequacy, that I remind her that for a time my father wanted or needed something else . I cause her pain, but it’s not my fault. And nor is it my siblings’ fault.”

~Halai Cosgrove

“I dont know if I cause my step mother pain. I expect not. She views me and my siblings as obstacles and objects to use for her own gains.” Had Halai had more time with Astrid, she might have understood the tone of resignation and mild annoyance in her voice rather than what would be expected at those words: bitterness and frustration. Astrid had long ago given up wanting anything or hoping for anything good to come from that part of her family. Her step mother was calculating, cool, cruel, vicious and a total social climber. Her son was not any different.

Ï wonder if your step mother will ever come to terms with her pain.”

Rousseau, HotJ