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With his back still to me, he says, “I’m glad you’re here, Firefly.”
He leaves, shutting the door behind him.
I stand and let the tears fall, unsure of how to even feel right now, but mostly just grateful that I’m here.
A week ago, I wouldn’t have dreamed Theo would tell me he’s glad I’m here.
And I lose it every time he calls me Firefly.
It’s something he started when we were thirteen. When most boys at school were awkward and jerks ninety percent of the time, Theo was the one consistent boy I knew. Even his brothers went through rebellious, scowly stages.
I walk into the bathroom, gasping when I see the beautiful bathtub in the center of the bathroom. There’s a nice shower too, but I run the water in the tub, excited to take a bath again. That’s one thing I’ve really missed, living out in the barn.
I open the closet and take out a towel and washcloth and smile when I see Calgon bath beads. Any time I wasn’t feeling great and Grinny knew about it, she’d send me home with a box of Calgon bath beads.
I pour too much in the water and am so excited that I get in before it’s even full, sinking back into the lavender vanilla-scented bath.
Heaven.
I close my eyes and don’t even feel like crying anymore.
We’d been swimming all day at the lake and then gone back to Theo’s house to have a barbecue.
I had a stomachache from all the watermelon I’d eaten.
When it started getting dark, I spread out my blanket and flopped back on it, holding my stomach. I took a deep breath and shut my eyes, trying to think about something else.
“You should’ve stuck with the Cheez-Its,” Theo said, bumping me slightly with his hip as he scooted next to me.
He must have seen me wince because he said, “Sorry,” in the next second, his fingers covering the place he’d bumped.
“It’s okay.”
I had a huge bruise on that whole side and was glad that my one-piece covered it up.
“Cheez-Its really are the ultimate swimming food,” I agree, sighing. “But that watermelon was just so good. Worth it.”
Theo took my hand and squeezed it.
“Sofie, open your eyes,” he whispered.
I did and gasped.
Fireflies surrounded us, their lights flashing on and off. There were so many of them, it was overwhelming. We stayed as still as we could and watched for the longest time, until there were only a few flashes from those that still lingered.
“That was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen,” I said.
I turned to look at Theo and he was facing me. He reached out and put his hand on my cheek and leaned in close, his forehead against mine.
“You are the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, Firefly. You shine the brightest of all.”
I startle and realize I’ve dozed off in the tub. The water is still warm, so it couldn’t have been that long. I wash and step out, going through my nighttime routine and wondering what Theo’s doing.
It’s something I’ve done so often over the years, but it feels completely different being in his house.
I grab my phone and text Marlow.
I know I texted you yesterday afternoon that I was okay, but I should’ve texted back later. I was kind of all over the place.
