 Why does Ben leave Laura?
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] And yet, at the same time, to be filled with a terrible, gnawing fear—a fear locked in my mind during the day and bursting out like an evil jack-in-the-box at night. The Academy, with its great halls and classrooms and laboratories, lay hollow and silent, an exhausted thing at sleep after spawning its first-born. For it was June in this year of 1995, and we were the graduating class of the U. S. Academy of Interplanetary Flight. They're going to bring us the metals and minerals that we desperately need. They're going to find new land for our colonists, good rich land that will bear food and be a home for our children. Let him leave Jupiter and the others alone! My parents had died in a strato-jet crash when I was four, so I hadn't needed many of those "You are cordially invited" cards. Just one, which I'd sent to Charlie Taggart. He was Chief Jetman now on the Lunar Lady , a commercial ore ship on a shuttle between Luna City and White Sands. I remembered how, as a kid, I'd pestered him in the Long Island Spaceport, tagging after him like a puppy, and how he'd grown to like me until he became father, mother, and buddy all in one to me. The Universe was mighty big, but with two of us to face it together, it would be only half as big. They expect us to make a new kind of civilization and a better place out of Earth. And you, Laura, were with him. Charlie gulped helplessly, and Mickey said: "Still going to spend the weekend with us, aren't you, Ben?" "Charlie has only twenty-four hours liberty. "Ben," he called, "don't forget that offer. A moment later Mickey said, frowning, "What was he talking about, Ben? That's what most of you want, isn't it? Then your last words came back and jabbed me: "That's what Mickey used to want." "It doesn't change anything, Ben—right now, I mean. Charlie was muttering under his breath, smoldering like a bomb about to reach critical mass. You kept looking at me until I had to ask: "What are you thinking, Laura?"
 Ben leaves Laura because the call to explore the universe is irresistible.
 Ben leaves Laura because he feels guilty that he dragged Charlie to Mickey and Laura's parents.  Ben leaves Laura because she wants kids, and he doesn't.  Ben leaves Laura because the call to explore the universe is irresistible.  Ben leaves Laura because he knows he'll grow to resent her if he stays.