The next few days flew by in a rush. Since Derek and I were both leaving soon, I decided to throw a going away party. Elian offered his house as a venue, since Mrs. Hill would not allow that many people in her house. I knew. I asked.
As we were setting up for the party, I realized the house was so clean. All the stacks of old mail, magazines, and newspapers had vanished. The knickknacks that once littered the shelves had all but disappeared. The house was practically empty, except for the furniture. Elian really had been keeping himself busy. While I spent my days at the pharmacy, he'd been here, ridding the house of every trace of his grandpa. How had I missed that?
Elian spread a tablecloth over the dining table before laying out the food that we had brought in from cafe. Cathy gave it to me for free as a going away present.
When I mentioned my observation, Elian laughed at me and kissed my cheek. "What did you think I did all day?"
I shrugged. "I don't know."
It was odd. As much as I thought about him in his absence, I never gave much thought to how he filled his time.
"You are so oblivious." Elian wrapped his arms around me. "It's a good thing you're sexy."
"I'm sorry."
He kissed me, holding me tighter.
After the kiss, I hung my arms around his neck and said, "I don't know how I ever lived without that."
"Now, you don't have to."
When the doorbell rang, Elian pulled away and crossed through the living room to answer the door.
Mom walked in, a pan of her famous brownies in hand. She gave Elian a one-armed hug. Ray squeezed by behind them. He walked over and greeted me, handing me a gift bag. "That's a going away present."
"Can I open it?" I asked.
"You'll have to ask your mom."
I lowered my voice so Mom couldn't overhear: "Whipped already and you haven't even got a ring on her finger yet."
Ray stuffed his hands in his pockets and grinned. "I'm not responding to that."
"That's probably smart."
Mom and Elian walked over. I raised the bag for him to see. "I got a present."
"Good for you."
"Well, aren't you going to open it?" Mom asked.
Ray and I shared a look and smiled. I nodded. Digging through the tissue paper, I felt a hard metal box. I found a handle and pulled it out. "Did you get me a toolbox? Because I'm not handy at all."
"Do you really think I'd buy you something that practical?" Mom asked.
When I got the box out and saw the front, I couldn't help but smile. It was a case of assorted nail polishes.
Mom gave a small shrug. "I figured since you won't be working at the pharmacy, you'll need a supply to keep up your nails." There was a thickness in her voice.
"I love it." I put the box on the table and hugged my mother. Her shoulders shook with silent sobs. I felt a tiny spot of wetness on my shirt where she pressed her face against my chest. "I love you."
"I love you, too, Stevie." She squeezed me extra tight before releasing me. She went over to snuggle up to Ray's side. He offered her his handkerchief before he wrapped his long arm around her. She looked so tiny next to him. I suppose she was tiny no matter who she stood next to, but it seemed especially significant today.
The doorbell rang again. This time it was Shelly and Nathalie. Shelly rushed over to hug me. "I hate that you aren't coming to Seattle, but I'm really happy that you're getting out of here."
"I can always come and visit." I said.
"Hell yeah you can." She leaned back and punched my shoulder. "And by can, I mean you absolutely will. Or else I'll track you down and drag you there by your dick if I have to."
"That sounds painful and gross. So, I'll definitely make a point to come out there soon."
"Also, I got you a gift." Shelly turned and gestured to Nathalie, who held a tiny cactus in a terracotta pot. "A little piece of home to take to Chicago."
"That's really sweet of you." I said, accepting the plant from Nathalie. "It's so unlike you to be so sentimental."
Shelly grimaced and pressed her fists against her hips. "I'll have you know I went out to the desert yesterday to dig that thing up for you, asshat."
"No, you didn't." Nathalie scoffed. "We got that at the florist forty-five minutes ago."
I laughed and put an arm around Shelly. "I don't care where you got it. It's perfect, Shell."
Shelly shrugged. "I did think about going to get one from the desert. It's just so hot. And I don't even know how you would dig one of those up. I mean, do they have roots? Do they need special soil?"
"Hey, people," Derek said, moseying through the open door. "I heard there's a party going on."
"You heard right." I went over to hang my arm over his shoulder.
"Well, I hope there's booze because I need to be buzzed immediately."
Shelly raised her hand. "I second that emotion."
"Drinks are in the kitchen." Elian announced.
Everyone filed through the house in search of alcohol. I heard bottles clinking and ice being poured as Elian came over to hug me. "I got you a gift, too."
"Why?" I furrowed my brow. "I'm coming with you."
"Come on." Elian glanced through the doorway to the kitchen, where everyone was bustling around. "It's in the bedroom."
I leaned my head close to his to whisper, "I don't think I can have sex with my mom in the house. That's just too weird."
He laughed. "It's not that kind of gift."
Elian took my hand and pulled me toward the bedroom. He shut the door and turned out the light. With the curtains drawn, I could barely see anything. His hand stroked my arm. "Lay on the bed."
"I thought it wasn't that kind of gift."
"Just shut up and lay down." he said. I could hear the amusement in his voice.
Even in the dark, I knew my way around. I'd probably spent more nights in this room over the last few weeks than I had in my own. I made my way over to the bed and laid down. I startled when I felt his hand brush along my arm, unaware that he was laying down too.
"So what's this gift?" I asked.
I heard a click, then the darkness above us burst into a sea of stars. Not just any stars. These were my stars. It was the view of the sky from the spot I took him. I sucked in a breath. My eyes burned as tears threatened. "What is this?"
"I wanted to make sure you always had the stars. You told me it was your favorite place. That you go there to think and find peace. I felt bad that you have to give it up. So, with a little help from Ray, now you'll always have them."
"What does Ray know about stars?"
Elian sighed. I could just imagine his annoyed squinted eyes focused on me right now. "You really need to learn to pay attention when people talk to you. Ray is a photographer. He took the pictures and helped me set up this projector thing."
I actually knew that. I just didn't put the pieces together.
I rolled over to face Elian, even though I could barely make out more than his silhouette. "This is awesome. I love you for thinking of this."
"I love you for taking this huge leap for me."
The bed shifted as he moved closer. His hand caressed my cheek just before his lips found mine.
He broke away and pressed his forehead to mine, our breath mingling between us. "I know it's not as good as the real thing, but I hoped it would suffice."
And just like that, all my doubts vanished. As fearful as I was to be leaving all this behind, I had so much more to look forward to. And someone amazing to share it with.
"It's perfect." I said.