“Thanks for helping Evie.”
“I didn’t do much,” he said. “She’s got the smarts to make this work.”
I agreed. If I could be any part of watching her flourish, I’d be the brother she deserved. Watching the people around me succeed filled my heart. That fullness spilled over and had me smiling as I thought about what successes awaited me. I need only to pull the trigger.
“I should head home.” When I glanced up, he smiled, admiring the flowers. “I need to get these in some water.”
I got to my feet, pulling him from the chair. With my hands on his hips, I pulled him close, careful not to crush the bouquet. Caught up in the moment, I nearly blurted out the news of the calendar. No. As much as I wanted to see his eyes widen and light up at the news, it’d be even better when the entire town partook in the reveal.
I needed to ensure this carnival happened.
He raised an eyebrow. “What are you thinking about?”
I gave a slight shake of my head. “The carnival. I’m brainstorming ways to save it. I might have over-promised the committee.”
Tyler leaned in, his lips brushing mine. “I’ll help any way I can.”
I believed him. Maybe he had a grimoire stowed away,and we could summon little demons to run the carnival? I’m sure Firefly had seen weirder.
“You’re amazing.”
Tugging on his hips, we kissed. I could have stayed here, in this moment, and died a happy man. Where life had once felt stagnant, I imagined myself running toward something, toward him. I didn’t quite know how it’d pan out, not yet, but I wanted to see him at the finish line. When he tried to pull away, I held firm. I needed one last taste to motivate my sprint to victory.
I started making up for twenty years of missed kisses.
When I let him go, his eyes stayed closed. “Wow,” he whispered.
“I’ll call you.”
“You better.”
“Always,” I confessed.
Tyler took a step back, nearly running into a column as he stepped off the porch. He got in his car and waved as he backed out of the driveway. I turned to head into the house to see Evie’s nose pressed against the window. With every exhale, a bloom of fog spread along the glass. Evie pulled back, doodling hearts, before heading toward the kitchen.
I wasn’t ready to go in, not yet. Picking up the knocked-over chair, I took a seat. I imagined Mimi in the other, the two of us living our best lives. I hoped for a gust of wind to make it rock, a sign she admired her handiwork here.
No luck.
Instead, I watched the yard, the street light barely illuminating… a small fleck of light hovered in the yard. Squinting, I couldn’t find it again. I assumed it was the dark playing with my eyes.
Then another appeared, and then another.
Fireflies.
I held still in the chair as hundreds of tiny lights faded in and out. Glancing at the chair, I could almost see her smiling. I received her sign loud and clear. This is where I was meant to be. Settling in, I wanted to enjoy the moment with the memory of her.
“This is my adventure.”
OUT OF IDEAS
Amanda: The theater troupe is out.
Jason: The Gaming Guild was no help.
Amanda: I have an idea…
Jason: I’m scared.
