Chapter Twenty-Two
Congratulations to the happy couple.
Jove
Dear Jupiter,
You know I value our friendship above all else. I do not, however, value your wood carvings quite so much.
You’re ruining my furniture, Jove. I spilled milk on my table this morning, and it took me ages to get it out of all the cracks.
I had to use cotton swabs and go through every line individually.
I felt like one of those art restoration people I see online sometimes, except I wasn’t getting paid the kajillion dollars an hour I assume they get paid.
What I’m saying is, table takes priority over bed frame when you go shopping. I like oak.
I know I told you I was going to bed when you dropped me off after our date, but I have to admit, I’m doing this instead. Your letter was just too tempting to resist. You put glitter on it again !
It’s like you don’t even want me to get any sleep, actually. This is, surely, your fault.
I can’t say I regret it, though. Your letter was gorgeous, per usual.
Not as good as my butterfly, but then what ever will be?
She’s framed on my wall now. I ordered a shadowbox online that has a hinged window so I can get in and out of it easy peasy, the better to enjoy my butterfly whenever I please.
In case I haven’t told you, I really, really love her. She’s so thoughtful. So proof that when you say I can just be, you mean it sincerely. You see me, all of me, and you welcome it.
Truly, I have never once deserved a friend so caring.
Truly, I am forever grateful to have you in my life, even if you aren’t exactly what I thought you would be.
I hope that I’m giving back like you say I am. I hope you’re at home right now writing five hundred million words. I hope hope hope I’m not failing you.
I hope I learn how to communicate my thoughts and feelings better in person.
I hope so much. Too much, maybe. Too much for 2:00 AM, definitely.
Until Friday,
Lyra ?
Lyra will be so happy to hear that I am, in fact, writing five hundred million words. Basically. If six thousand a day since our date equals five hundred million. I was never very good at math.
Speaking of math…
“Babe!” I holler from my desk. “Meeting in five!”
He yells back an affirmative, and I spend my five minutes selecting stickers and paper scraps I want to include in my reply to Lyra. I find a roll of washi tape with squishy little cat faces on it and immediately decide to theme the letter around it. Squishy cutie kitty cats. She’ll love it.
Before I can get too lost in my supply drawer, Mars appears at my door. “Meeting time, Jovey. The carrot cake’s ready.”
I nod, tell my ephemera I’ll be back for it, and head for the kitchen table, where my darling brother has laid out two glasses of milk – one crisp white and one creamy brown – next to matching plates of perfect carrot cake triangles topped with frosting carrots. A meeting well prepped.
“All right, all right,” Mars starts, sliding into his chair. He lifts a pale blue notebook, the silver moon on its cover reflecting the overhead light. “Let’s see what’s on the menu today…” He flips to a page somewhere in the middle of the notebook, marked by a star-shaped paperclip.
I lean forward, reading upside down. Number one says ‘book progress update’.
“First up, your date!” Mars declares, snapping the book shut.
I sit back, snorting. “That was number four on that list,” I inform him, head shaking as I tsk. “You’re supposed to be the numbers guy.”
“I am known for being unpredictable,” he tells me. “Now, tell me everything .”
I laugh, then do as he asks. Who am I to deny him of anything he might want?
“Did you know that mini-golf doesn’t have flags?
” I ask. “I had to special order some and… donate them. After the fact.” Donate.
Break in and leave them with a mildly threatening note should they remove them.
Same thing. “We showed up and there were just… holes? Everywhere. Who cares about stupid holes? I’m there for the flags, and they present me with that nonsense.
It was ridiculous.” I stab at my cake, bringing a bite to my mouth with perhaps more force than the fluffy confection requires.
“That little twerp was there. The one who messed up your bike?” I speak around the cake in my mouth, then swallow.
“Lyra told me I couldn’t yell at him. Then, once I explained why actually I could yell at him, she suggested we key his car.
” I sigh, eyes wrinkling. “You should’ve seen her, Mars. Sticking up for you. It was glorious.”
Mars’ cheeks lift as he shifts in his seat, and I nod.
“I know. She’s incredible. Then we went to Sweet it’s blinding. “Sorry. I’m just not sure it’s proper for her to meet another man before our wedding.”
“I understand.” I don’t, but I’m not the expert on love here, so I’ll defer to his judgement.
“I’m so happy for you, Mars,” I smile, resisting the urge to pull my touch-averse brother into my touch-starved arms. “Do you need anything from me? I’m pretty tied up with Lyra and the book, but I can make time for you. ” I can always make time for him.
His smile warms. “Thanks, babe. I appreciate that, but you focus on your girlie. I’ll handle mine.”
Focus on my girlie. Not on my only brother’s impending nuptials.
Right.
I can do that.
For Mars.