She glances over her shoulder one last time.Her golden hair catches the light, lifted by the breeze.She gives me the bright, adorable smile I’ve missed before.
And then she’s gone.But not reallygone.Disappearing into the doors of the Elmwood Center.
I stand there for a while.
Certain that I am the happiest man alive.
For the first time in a long time, or maybe for the first time ever, I’m not really afraid of the changes that come next.
Chapter 71
Ella
September 4th, 2009
Friday
I walk down the stairs of the Research Institute.The clock strikes 6 p.m., and my body feels electric with energy.
There’s a handsome young man waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs.
Our eyes meet, and we share a silent smile that lingers.Not really saying anything, yet knowing precisely what the other is feeling.
Silly, imprinted smiles on our faces.Impossible to erase.
A glance full of something unspoken, yet completely understood.
Drunk on what happened today.
I notice the moon up in the sky.It’s one of those nights where the moon itself seems to smile, its curve thin and discreet.
Miles gently places his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer as we begin our walk.There’s no rush, no need for more words.Just the simple joy of being together.
“Got a swimsuit with you?”he asks.I raise my eyebrows at him.“Thought we’d celebrate in Evermere.”
“Yes!”I answer, sounding a little too excited, and he laughs, big and unfiltered.
We don’t leave.
We stay long after the sun has dipped to kiss the ocean.And the sky has painted its clouds pink.
The crystal-clear blue water is changing colors, too.
The sound of waves crashing in the sand is my favorite sound in the world.
I look at Miles, wrapped in a towel, walking toward me.
It’s funny how life unfolds.We were driven apart when our inner selves needed to grow on their own.And the big romantic part of me believes that we would always find each other when we were ready to.
I stand still, also wrapped in my towel, just watching the moment.This second.
But I’m not on alert.
I’m not trying to predict a storm on the horizon.
I’m relaxing.
Feeling the sand beneath my feet.
