funny in it, too! He was showed how to hook up the air hose and fit the tank on his back so not to disturb the shield when it was there.
"Perfect fit, doc!" he complimented. "Good thinking on the small tank! I don't think I'll need it, but once and a while up there, I will use it for a pick-me-up, so to speak."
"Can you carry a large box of food?" Horton asked. "I'll have it delivered to the door."
"No problem, doc! Probably be all gone by the time I get to the moon, anyway. Thank you for thinking of me!" Mike acknowledged.
The old man hugged him as if he was his grandson.
"Good luck, Michael. Just take it easy, and I'm sure you'll do fine! Just fine!"
"Thank you for all you've done for me, sir!" Mike sincerely told him, feeling like he could burst out crying. He couldn't believe how everyone there cared for him...it was like having a family all over again.
Dr. Horton left. Mike was alone for a while with his thoughts. He noticed a crowd had started to gather outside the observatory of city people, hoping to get a better view of the eclipse.
Soon security increased their guard and McCree himself, came out to take care of dispersing them. This worked to clear the area.
About a half hour before Mike was to leave, Dr. Cooper came in to check on him.
"How're you doing, son?" he asked going over to him, walking behind the huge shield.
"As well as can be expected, Doc!" Mike replied. "Look what Dr. Horton brought me!"
He went through the routine of showing him the helmet and tank and as they were talking about it a tech delivered on a dolly a large box half his height and twice his width. It was definitely tubes of food!
"That's a load off my mind!" Cooper exclaimed after the man had gone. "I won't worry about you running out of air or energy for a while, at least. Thanks for agreeing to use it, son!"
"Anything to help," Mike replied.
"Remember, we love you, and we're counting on you!" Cooper gave Mike another of his strong bear hugs. When he let go he added, "Oh, Jeanie said to give you a message...she said 'See you later, DARLING!'"
Mike turned slightly pink and looked away from him, embarrassed with the use of the endearment.
"Sure thing, Doc!" he said, then hugged Cooper in return. "I'm not so good with long good-byes, as you know by now, but thanks for everything, Doc. In case you don't see me again, you know I love you, dad, with all my heart. If it wasn't for you, I would've been nobody!"