Star Wars - Kenobi

after his day in the fields. He saw the women and smiled. “How are my favorite people today?”
    “One of us was nearly burying the other,” Leelee said, gesturing to the scaffold. “You’ve got to get Annie out of this place before she starts alphabetizing the oil cans.”
    Beaming, Orrin strolled behind the counter. “Have no fear. Orrin Gault has the plan, and it’s in motion already.” He put his arm around Annileen and gave her a half hug. “You’re getting tomorrow off.” He grinned down at her. “Happy birthday.”
    Annileen pulled away. “What do you mean?”
    “I mean I’ve just talked with Tar Lup,” he said, referring to the Calwells’ onetime assistant. “He’s got some time off from his place in Eisley, and I’ve convinced him to spend tomorrow here, watching the store.”
    “Why can’t Jabe—” Green eyes stared, suspicious. “Wait. Where will I be?”
    “Mos Eisley. You deserve a day in the city,” he said. “And I want you to take the whole family. Kallie can close up the livery—nobody’s around right now, anyway.” His eyes narrowed. “Take Jabe, too. Maybe if you spend more time together as a family, things will improve.”
    Stupefied, Annileen looked to Leelee. The Zeltron was wide-eyed, listening with rapt attention. “You’re going with us, I suppose?” Annileen asked Orrin.
    “Oh, no,” he said, fishing around in his pocket. “Not with the harvest!”
    “Right.” She looked at him, still not fathoming his intent. “Why Mos Eisley?”
    Orrin found what he was looking for: a small sealed envelope. “Here,” he said. “It’s the other part of your surprise, to make sure you go. Open it this evening.”
    Annileen took the envelope. “What are you up to, Orrin?”
    The farmer laughed. “Just make sure I’m around when you open it.” He winked at Leelee and stepped out from behind the counter.
    “My birthday’s the day after tomorrow,” Annileen said.
    “This offer is good for tomorrow only,” Orrin proclaimed, walking toward his office. “I’ve spent all afternoon making the plans. Don’t send poor Tar away!” The door closed behind him and locked.
    Leelee clutched for the envelope. “Give me that! I want to see!”
    “No!” Annileen said, pulling it away. She felt dizzy. What in the world is going on now?
    Meditation
    I had the dream again.
    It was like I’ve described before. I wasn’t myself. But I saw the world through—something. A tunnel, a filter. And then I heard a scream.
    You’re tired of hearing about this dream, I expect—I’ve had it once a week since coming to Tatooine. I always wake in wonder. I always feel it’s about Anakin somehow.
    Only the last couple of editions have changed some. The tunnel is narrower, brighter. Normally the view is hazy and red. This time it was almost like seeing through—well, a Tusken’s eyes, as strange as that sounds.
    And hearing the scream didn’t hit me as hard, this time. I felt more apart, aloof. In the past, it’s had more of an effect on me.
    I don’t know what it means.
    I’m worried the dream represents the smothering of light in the galaxy, and my own misgivings about being far from the scene. Could I really stay here so long that I no longer feel the cries of those Palpatine harms?
    Don’t worry, Qui-Gon—I’m not speaking this out loud. I’m still ashamed at what you must think of that horrendous blunder, when I was overheard. You must think I’m a Padawan all over again.
    But I know how it happened. I’ve been focusing too hard on trying to contact you, trying to replicate the feelings I was having that time you spoke to Yoda and me. I was trying to separate myself mentally from my surroundings, and because of that, I didn’t sense Kallie’s approach.
    It doesn’t seem that the girl overheard anything too revealing—or saw me holding Anakin’s lightsaber. The Force was with me there. And there are apparently a number of people around whose names sound like Kenobi, so nobody’s drawn the connection. Yet.
    Still, I can’t take any more chances. I was getting too drawn into the lives of the people at the oasis. It’s ironic. You were the one who always told me to focus more on the living Force—the lives of those around us now, rather than the big picture that Master Yoda ascribed to. Living here, getting involved in this little world, with its little dramas? It’s been enlightening.
    I missed all this while rushing about to save the galaxy. Seeing that,