Like Dragonflies

“I’m okay. Let’s get this over with.”

When we get out, Dad is already opening the door for us. I walk in and the familiar scent grips me. I remember the stress and the agony of hiding myself all the time for fear of judgment.

How did I ever live that way?

“Feels different after you’ve been gone for a while, huh?” Dad asks.

“Yeah, totally,” I remark with a sigh. “I’m gonna get my paintings and easel and get the hell out of here. No offense, Dad.” I laugh a little and Dad shoots me a look.

“None taken.”

“I’ll help you grab stuff,” Mars says.

We head up to my room and I can’t help but remember what happened the last time we were alone in my room. I draw in a breath and move over to what used to be my painting corner. I hand Mars canvas after canvas until his arms are full, then I load my arms up and all of the paintings are collected.

I place my paintings gingerly in the back of The Beast after Mars lays down a blanket for them so they’ll be safe on the ride home. “I’ll run up and get your easel,” he tells me. It’s the last thing we have to grab.

I nod and head back to the house with him to say goodbye to Dad.

“I’m proud of you, Sage,” Dad says with a smile.

“Thank you,” I say to my father. “Thank you for having dinner with us and seeing Mars isn’t anything like what Mom said.”

“I like to form my own opinions. And in my opinion, Mars is a good kid with a good heart.” I look up and see Mars standing behind Dad with my easel tucked under his arm.

He heard every word and I’m glad. He needs to know I’m not the only one who thinks he’s amazing.

“Thanks, Charles,” Mars says, a shy grin tugging at his lips. He tosses his free arm around my shoulders and I snuggle closer to him.

“I mean it, kid. Hey,” Dad grumbles, looking at Mars and aiming his index finger. “You better take care of my little girl.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“I’ve got a good feeling about you two.” Dad chuckles. “Now get out of here before Eleanor comes home, and I have to spend my night talking her down.” I need no further pushing. I give Dad one more hug and kiss then I rush to The Beast and climb in beside Mars.

Before he pulls off, I thread my fingers through his dark hair and crash against his lips. “I love you, Mars McKinney.”

“I love you too, Sage,” he says quietly against my lips. We break our embrace and he starts the engine. The Beast rumbles to life, filling me with a rush of excitement.

We’re going home.

I don’t care that our journey isn’t perfect.

Nothing about us will ever be perfect.

We’re just Mars and Sage.

Sage and Mars.

And we’re finally using our wings to fly away to our own world.

A world away from all the chaos that tried to keep us apart.

A world that we’ll paint whatever colors we want.

A world where we belong.

Mars

Two and a half years later…

“Break’s long over,” Aimee says, popping her head around the corner into the break room. “Come on, man. I’m not closing this place down again by myself.”

“Five minutes,” I tell her, unable to hide my grin.

“Yeah, yeah, slacker. Don’t make me call your wife.”

I chuckle as she leaves. When I left the Freemont Diner, about six months ago, I took a job bartending at Cantrell’s Bar. It’s a trendy little place that overlooks the Mississippi River here in Memphis. It made a helluva lot more money than the diner tips I was used to. Best part about it, though, was Aimee Cantrell. Not only does she treat me like a little brother, she took right to Sage. Those two are close and I’m happy Sage has made new friends in our new home.

Pulling out my phone, I text my wife.

Me: I got it.

Her response is immediate.

Sage: NO WAY!

Me: Yes way.

She sends me about fifty smiling emojis.

Sage: I’m so proud of you. I knew you could do it. Collette is going to freak out!

And by freak out, I imagine I’ll get a screeching phone call in the morning. Bradley will end up having to run her and little Hunter up to Memphis so we can celebrate properly. Now that Bradley stepped up and married my friend, I actually am okay with the guy. He’s one helluva dad, too, which is more than can be said for most of the Duncan dumbasses around there. Collette is happy, which is all that matters to me.

Me: I gotta close up with Aims and then I’ll be home. Love you.

Sage: We’ll celebrate when you get home. Love you more.

I’m smiling when I glance back up at my laptop screen. The email from Zion at the Harbor Town District sits open, and I can hardly believe it. They’re updating some of the older buildings by giving them an edgy, new age feel while still preserving the look of the past. It’s a quick, inexpensive way to make the area look more attractive without dumping tons of money into renovating the old buildings. Hundreds of artists submitted their entries, and only a handful were selected to run bids by. In the end, it was my art and my bid that won.