 What would have happened if Phil had gone on the mission?
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. Phil Conover pulled the zipper of his flight suit up the front of his long, thin body and came into the living room. Yes, I'm sure you did," she said, finishing the ritual; but her voice broke, and she turned her head away. 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. "Phil, if you go, I won't be here when you get back—if you get back. I won't be here because I won't be the wife of a space pilot for the rest of my life. No matter how much I love you, I just couldn't take that, Phil. "I wish you had told me this a long time ago, Mary," Phil said. "Yes, you did. I told you I could never be the wife of a space pilot. But I don't think I ever really believed it was possible—not until this morning when you said tonight was the take-off. "It isn't a dream.
 He would still have been disappointed after fulfilling his dream because of how things ended with Mary.
 Mary would have forgiven him for following his dreams and they would work together to continue their relationship.  His anger would've caused him to make a mistake that would have ended in his death.  He would have been ecstatic to finally have lived his dream, and gone on to live his life.  He would still have been disappointed after fulfilling his dream because of how things ended with Mary.