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“Yeah,” I mutter as I lean in next to him.

From my tone, he seems to have the same realization. "So that’s not like the stars. I'm pretty sure that's not supposed to be there, right?"

"No, it's definitely not," I say before taking a sip of my lukewarm beer.

"Uh, excuse me." I feel him pull away, but I am still planted to the spot, eyes fixed on the swirling shadow.

Just as I finish my sip, the shadow shifts. Its edges blur from a soft, cloudy absence to a sudden billowing, like a cloud tearing itself apart before gathering again.

"You all saw that, right?" I ask.

"I always thought it was like steam from the HVAC since it's getting to be that time of year," Carol says, having now joined us. Both she and Terry seem curious for my sake but not concerned.

The idea of a black cloud of humidity sounds absurd, but if it could happen anywhere, it would be here. I glance around to see what Kayvon thinks and realize he’s gone. I search the rooftop, but he’s nowhere in sight.

"Did you guys see where Kayvon went?"

"I think he said something about the bathroom," Carol says as she goes back to nursing her drink.

My lips droop at his sudden disappearance, wondering why he couldn’t have just told me. "Oh, okay."

"Oh my God, you are so desperate for this guy," Carol says in an uncharacteristically crass dig at my glum look.

"No I'm not!" I spit in reflex, eyes scanning the sky as if I'll find salvation in the stars.

"Yes, you are," Terry adds.

"Are we talking about Kayvon?" Max asks as he walks up.

"Yes!" Carol says.

"No!" I shoot back.

"Where was that guy even hiding?" Terry asks.

"Mary's roommate," Carol says.

"No, he’s not my... Listen, he’s... I... We’re... Fine, I like him." I huff, my brain too tired to hide it anymore and too eager to finally admit the truth.

I brace myself for more teasing, but what comes next is pure celebration, as if I’ve accomplished something monumental instead of just stumbling into my neighbor’s life. Carol and Max practically squeal with delight. And with Terry, it’s the first time I see a side of him that feels so openly vulnerable.

They each put a hand on me and eagerly guide me to sit on the lawn furniture. They gather around, and we all chat about first dates, me sharing about mine and Kayvon’s date, minus the more intimate parts, while Carol complains about guys and Max corrects Terry's every story. But eventually I realize Kayvon has been gone for what feels like far too long for the bathroom.

I look up at the sky and then to Carol. "You sure he said bathroom? It's been over thirty minutes."

"Has it?" Carol asks as she pulls out her phone.

I look up again. "Yeah, I distinctly remember it was 6:30, and now it's like 7:15."

Carol looks at me, then up, then back to me. "What are you looking at?"

I point up. "The stars?"

She looks up again. "What stars?"

I look up at the vast night sky twinkling above me, minus the small portion obstructed by the funnel. I gesture broadly with my arms. "The stars."

I stand up and point to Andromeda. "You can see a Galaxy right there."