Atmosphere: A Love Story

Joan’s training intensifies. Despite her exhaustion, she requests time in Mission Control, which initially surprises Antonio. While astronauts often devote non-space time to support positions at NASA, only a handful are placed in Mission Control. She insists that she’s the right person for the job because she’s unflappable and is “on good terms with everyone” (254), from the other mission specialists to the pilots. Antonio agrees.

One day, Frances asks if she can spend the weekend with Joan, explaining that her mother won’t notice her absence. She says that Barbara makes her grilled cheese for dinner every night and then puts her to bed while she and Daniel go out. By now, Frances is 10 years old and in fifth grade. When Joan asks Barbara about this, Barbara complains that Frances is rude, disrespectful to Daniel, and moody. Joan tries to explain that Frances feels left out of Barbara’s new life, but Barbara refuses to listen. Joan takes Frances to a movie, inviting Vanessa along as well.

Joan’s training continues, and she spends every available moment in Mission Control, increasingly certain that this is where she’s meant to be long-term. During this time, Donna becomes pregnant. Joan helps her hide it as long as possible because NASA will remove her from active assignments when they find out.