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“I like presents.”
“I’ll give it to you once you’re all moved in.”
I got Allie lemonade before Sidney and I wrapped the mattress in protective plastic, and hoisted it onto a dolly for our conspicuous walk to Stella’s.
It took us about ten times as long as expected. Tons of our neighbors along the way came right out of their houses to inquire what we were doing, with comments ranging from congratulations on moving out, to how devastated Mom must be now that her nest was finally empty.
Nova hovered, watching the move-in process and following us down to the suite. “How come Auntie isn’t helping?”
“She helped me pack. She doesn’t have to help me move too.”
“I don’t know. That seems like the job of a gi?—”
“You know what? You look like you could use a popsicle!” I hustled Nova up the stairs and into her own home. “Your auntie already told you we’re not boyfriend and girlfriend. She wouldn’t like you going around telling other people we are.”
Nova pouted.
“I don’t mind if you want to hang out, but you can’t say things like that, okay?”
She rolled her eyes, some of that new tween attitude sneaking in. “Fine.”
“I have to go back and get a couple more pieces of furniture, but I’ll see you when I get back.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Sidney and Allie were watching me speculatively when I returned.
“Everything okay?” Allie asked.
“Yep. Let’s go get the bedframe. Hopefully the trip is faster this time now that all the neighbors have gotten their snooping out of their systems.”
It was indeed faster, and within the next hour, my room at my parents’ house was completely empty. It felt a little bittersweet to stand in the space that had safely housed me for the last twenty-six years. Mostly, though, a giant weight had fallen off my shoulders. I had taken a step I’d been dreading, and even though I still felt guilty as hell every time Mom cried about it, it felt right.
Back at Stella’s, while Sidney and I got all of the bedroom furniture set up, Allie was rustling around in the kitchen with Nova at her side. I wasn’t sure if the two of them had met before now, but I knew Allie was at least aware of Luna’s nieces.
When Sidney and I emerged from the bedroom, Allie stood proud as a peacock in front of my open kitchen cabinets. They were full. I had no kitchen supplies on my own, so where had all of this come from?
“Do you like it?” Allie bounced on her toes. “We couldn’t have you starting this new phase of life with an empty kitchen.”
“Holy shit.” I belatedly realized I probably shouldn’t be swearing in front of Nova, but too late now. “You bought me a whole kitchen?”
“We did! Pots, pans, dishes, bakeware, cutlery, and a bunch of food basics so you don’t starve because you probably don’t have time to go to the store for a little bit.”
Emotion clogged my throat at not only how thoughtful the gift was, but how ridiculously expensive it must have been too. “You two are amazing.”
“I helped!” Nova piped up, accepting my offered high-five.
“It looks great. Thank you for helping.”
Nova beamed, looking just as proud as Allie at being able to assist.
Allie showed me how she had arranged everything and got me acquainted with all of my new implements. “I couldn’t decide on a bunch of designs so I made Luna vote.”
“Everything looks perfect.” My new dish sets were a sleek midnight blue with copper tones on the edges, looking neat and tidy all nestled together in their cupboard. “This is honestly a huge relief. I forgot how much stuff you have to buy to live on your own.”
Sidney swung his arm around my shoulders. “We figured you deserved it after having Mom’s laser focus all to yourself. She’s called me several times crying, so I can only imagine how she is in person.”
“It feels like she thinks I’m dying rather than moving out,” I admitted.
