 What is most ironic about the conclusion of the story?
Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Astounding Science Fiction December 1955. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. BREAKAWAY BY STANLEY GIMBLE Illustrated by Freas She surely got her wish ... but there was some question about getting what she wanted. Phil Conover pulled the zipper of his flight suit up the front of his long, thin body and came into the living room. His face, usually serious and quietly handsome, had an alive, excited look. And the faint lines around his dark, deep-set eyes were accentuated when he smiled at his wife. His wife was sitting stiffly on the flowered couch that was still not theirs completely. He came to her and touched his hands to her soft blond hair, raising her face until she was looking into his eyes. Yes, I'm sure you did," she said, finishing the ritual; but her voice broke, and she turned her head away. We know exactly how it will be. If anything could go wrong, they wouldn't be sending me; you know that. I told you that we've sent five un-manned ships up and everyone came back without a hitch." "Mary, you know I can't back out now. You know how much I've wanted to be the first man to go. Nothing would ever be right with me again if I didn't go. "I've got to get started, Mary.
 Mary's fear of losing Phil became a self-fulfilling prophecy
 While Sammy is the least qualified to go into space, he was the only replacement for Phil  Everything that used to give Phil joy will now represent pain and suffering  Mary's fear of losing Phil became a self-fulfilling prophecy  Phil trained all of his life for one moment, and gave it all up within the period of one day