As I pull up to a stop in the circle driveway, with the landscaping overgrown, the bricked flower beds now home to weeds and wild trees, I begin to wonder what Callie will think about it. It looks like something out of a horror movie, maybe. Still, I get the oddest sensation of being home when I’m here—which is weird as hell since I’ve never felt like I’ve had a home in Macon. Mostly, I’ve come to hate the place.
“What is this place?” Callie asks as we park and get off the bike.
Luckily, the moon is bright and full tonight and shines down, lighting our way. She hands me her helmet and I hang it on the handlebars. I grab a blanket out of my saddlebags. I see Callie raise an eyebrow as if wondering what it’s for, but she doesn’t ask, and I remain quiet. I take her hand and we walk toward the house.
“I found it the other night. It used to belong to the town mayor about ten years ago. When his wife died, he couldn’t stand to live here anymore. He couldn’t bear to sell it either, so it just stayed empty, wasting away.”
“That’s so sad. You can tell it was a beautiful home once,” she says, and I nod.
“I think it still is—or could be, I mean.”
“Probably,” she responds.
We’re quiet as I lead her around the house and when I hear her audible gasp, I know I made the right decision. The yard is large. There’s an in-ground pool that is more than likely beyond the point of repair. Yet, it’s what is out from the pool that is the star of the property. There’s a huge level yard that is grown up, although I’ve cut a wide path down the middle and there are solar lights everywhere at the end of the path. I didn’t supply those. They were shining the night I found this place. We walk through the path I’ve made, the lights shining over us, to reveal a creek bank, and something large that’s covered in a blue tarp.
I know what is under the canopy, of course. I wanted to make sure Callie was surprised, however. We stand there a minute listening as the water splashes over the rocks in the creek, the noise soothing. I let go of Callie’s hand to pull off the covering from what I want to show her.
Underneath, there’s a large daybed swing. The cushion is a beige color—or was at one time. It’s almost faded white now, but because there was a top on the daybed, the bed itself is in good shape. The canopy that was on top was toast. I got rid of it, bringing the tarp to protect the bed. Most nights lately I come out here on my own. It helps to get away from my dad, from Mitch, Mom… Everything.
“Oh, my goodness! I’ve seen these in magazines. I always thought they were so nice,” Callie murmurs.
I use the blanket to cover the mattress and then pat it. “Have a seat, Bluebird.”
She looks at me and then back at the bed. For a moment I wonder if she’s going to tell me no. I hold my breath, afraid anything I do will make her run. Then, she walks over and puts her back to the bed and tries to climb on. The problem is that it’s kind of high and she’s shorter. It moves and she laughs because she can’t climb on it. I walk over, smiling because I love the sound of her laughter. I put my hands on her hips and stare into her eyes.
“I’m not the most graceful person on the planet, Reed,” she mutters and it’s dark and even with the glow of the solar lights and the moon I can’t make out if she’s blushing, but I think she is.
“You’re perfect,” I tell her honestly. She puts her hands over mine, her touch warm and I can tell she’s searching for something on my face. I don’t know what it is, but I wish more than anything I could give it to her.
“This is different,” she says, sounding as if she’s been jogging. My gaze drops to her lips and then further down to her neck and finally landing on her chest. It’s rising and falling quickly.
“What is?” I ask, my voice sounding strange even to my own ears.
“This feeling between us,” she murmurs, moistening her lips.
“I guess so.” I admit, not knowing what else to say.
“I don’t know what it means anymore,” she responds, as I sit down on the bed beside her. I move us so we’re lying down.
“How about, we don’t worry about it right now and we just enjoy the night. I like having you in my arms and the stars above us,” I tell her as she settles her head against my chest. One of her arms moves over my stomach and my eyes close at how sweet that feels. For the first time since prom, I feel my heart settle into a steady rhythm that doesn’t feel like I’m running from something.