With a grunt, I push the box away, almost tossing it clear off the table. I get to my feet and walk into the kitchen, fumbling around in the dark to retrieve my fresh pack of smokes that I know is on the counter somewhere. Once my hands close around it, I turn it upside down and pack it against my palm before using my teeth to rip off the plastic wrapper. I jam one of the cigarettes between my teeth and use my gift to light it, inhaling deeply as I run a thumb across my forehead.
The only illumination in this lonely home besides the few times the clouds have granted a semblance of mercy in moving from fucking view, are the embers from my cigarette, and I don’t know if it’s too much right now or not enough.
I let out a grunt of frustration as I walk back to the kitchen table and sit down in my chair. I reach for the box to pull it back toward me and flip the lid open. I want to do this right now—I want to fly high above the clouds and not look down until I have to again, but I want Molly to be here with me. I don’t want to go anywhere without her close by and I know she’ll want to fly with me too.
I get back up and walk into the living room, pushing the curtains completely open. My hands begin to drum against my thighs as I slowly bob my head up and down to a tune I heard the other day. It’s something of a nervous tick lately but it seems to be working better than fucking with the box.
I reach up with one hand to pull the cigarette from my lips, while keeping the melody going with my other, and that’s when I see the familiar flash of wild blonde hair coming down the street. I move closer to the window, pressing myself against it as much as I can to make sure she’s okay because she keeps looking over her shoulder and it seems like she’s talking to someone I can’t see.
I roll my eyes at the last thought. There are days that Molly spends talking to someone I can’t see, and it’s never bothered me before since I know that the “someone” is usually in her head.
I’ve got to get her back on her meds, I think as she disappears from sight.
A few moments later I can hear the echo of her boots as she trots up the stairs to our place, then the sound of the keys jingling. The door creaks softly as Molly attempts to slip in unnoticed, probably assuming that I’m asleep.
I keep my back to the door—I don’t want to upset her by not being where she expects me to be.
Molly huffs as she wrestles her boots off, then walks into the kitchen. Her small, bare feet making the cutest sound as she moves across the floor. I turn ever so slightly to glance over my shoulder and steal a look in her direction. She has her back to me as she chugs from the orange juice carton before she puts it back into the fridge and I turn away again.
“Baby?” she calls out nervously.
I bring my fist up to my mouth and take a deep drag from my smoke before I turn to face her. I want to ask her where she’s been, but I know she’ll tell me when she’s ready to. I just hate the fucking sneaking around and secrets.
“Why are you up?” she asks, tapping her leg with the boots still clutched in her hands.
“Can’t sleep when you’re not home. You know that,” I say as gently as I can.
“Sorry,” she replies, looking away and running a hand back through her hair. “I wasn’t doing anything bad though, okay? I promise.”
“I know,” I say with a nod.
Molly drops her boots in the kitchen as she walks quickly toward me, sliding her arms around my waist and placing the tip of her chin against my chest. The way she’s looking at me right now—like me believing her possible lie is the only thing giving her life right now makes me smile slightly.
“I have something that I wanted to try, but I was waiting for you to get home,” I start slowly. Molly tilts her head to the side and waits for me to continue. I drape my arms around her shoulders, lean down, and kiss the tip of her nose.
“Wanna fly with me?” I ask her softly.
“What?” she asks with a nervous grin, screwing up her beautiful face in slight confusion.
“Tonight’s the night that I give you everything you ever wanted, Molls,” I tell her, my smile slipping into a grin. “Everything you didn’t know you needed starts once we take what’s in that box.”