Page 80 of Flying

I follow his eyes to see the rest of our friend group piled out in front of Pages on a mix of seating they brought out. Seth doesn’t even seem mad about it, which may be the most surprising thing at this moment.

Before we know it the mail carrier is doing the usual loop of the square. It’s the last spot, meaning we’re at the tail end of this thing. Or at least the first half of this thing. After slamming the large door to the series of mailboxes for Grant’s condo and the apartments he owns above the rest of the buildings on the block shut, Nessa whistles. She takes her pointer and middle fingers in a V and points from her eyes to the mailboxes, telling us to watch.

Just then, I hear the condo door open, a summery wreath bounces against the door and the nautical door knocker clunks. Tall and thin as ever, Landan makes her way gracefully down the steps. Her long brown hair is flawlessly straight, not a single flyaway or strand out of place. She’s in her usual all-black outfit with a smug tight expression. She glances at us and makes a disinterested face. It’s funny that she could miss how her actions made her the villain in my story for so long.

Opening their mailbox, she takes out a gift box and immediatelyrips open the perforated strip. As if controlled by a spring-loaded device the top flies away suddenly. I can’t contain my laughter. It is raining glitter and confetti all over her perfect little face. Not just confetti, a gust of wind sends some flying our way and I see that the confetti is made up of tiny penises. Lifting a bag from the box, I see large, blood red letters: Eat A Dick. She shrieks before dropping everything and running into the house. A second scream follows shortly thereafter, and Nessa whistles again before winking.

Prudence arrives with an old iron key, large and heavy, “Get out of here now, and,” as she stares at Nessa with narrow eyes, “do not tell me how you managed that, you hear? Let Elizabeth and I handle the committee. As far as we’ve decided, you did the hard thing. You talked it out, welcome home Lily. I missed you.”

The lock drops open before the boards are lifted by Lee and Seth and we slowly stand. Linking arms with the guys, River is helped to stand for a moment. It’s like having to get on solid ground after a long boating trip. Next, the guys do the same for me. Once we’re all on solid footing, we run towards The Featherweight shrieking with laughter.

Once inside, Delia heads behind the bar. Her shirt is tied up into a knot over high-waisted jeans, and she’s wearing a pinup headband. She’s clearly been preparing, and she’s not only done up to the nines but has a full spread of the best bar snacks.

Seth joins her and begins to uncap bottles for us all. She’s lining the bartop as he goes.

“Stef, you’re on music. It’s time to celebrate the official return of Peacock Springs, New Jersey’s number one firecracker. The girl who has a heart almost as big as her hair, Miss Lily Jayne Long!” Delia orders.

A cheer rips through the room and I bask in the warmth of their affection. All of the years of stress and worry that started to melt away earlier evaporate. The love these people have for me fills me to the brim. There is a rush of footsteps before I’m crushed from all sides. Delia and Seth start to pass out drinks.

A familiar drumbeat begins to pump through the speakers and the joy in the room swells greater than before. In a rare moment of boisterousness from Lee and Seth, a cry of, “give me a second,” rings out in deep baritone. The introductory bars shift into the pre-chorus lines about bars closing and carrying each other home. Home.

I am finally home.

Glasses in the air, the room bursts with the chorus to a cheer of setting the world on fire, and the irony not lost on any of us. I dissolve into hysterical giggles as we clink bottles to cheers before taking long sips of our drinks.

This is not the kind of evening where we’ll be hung over tomorrow, this round is followed by water and snacks. More sing-alongs happen as each person takes over the playlist mixing songs from the last three decades of our lives. When the snacks are depleted and the plates are loaded into the dishwasher, Stef yawns and tells Lee she can’t stay awake another minute with school bright and early tomorrow.

Nessa looks at her phone, rolling her eyes as she exits. Delia ropes Seth into finishing the last of the trash haul to the dumpster with her before shooing us towards the door. Glancing his way and assuring River, “Boss, come on, go home. We got this.” Then skillfully shuts the door behind us calling out, “I don’t want to see you here before noon, River. I will lock you out of your own place!”

fifty-four

River

Tuesday Night

“You got it, Delia!”I shout to the closing door. The ability to lean on someone else has been an important change these last months. I won’t look the gift horse in the mouth. The only mouth I want to be focused on is Lily’s. Placing my palm on her cheek, I tilt her until our eyes meet. I glance down at her plump lips, counting the freckles across her nose out of habit. Placing a gentle kiss on the middle of her forehead, I watch her eyes fall before placing a soft kiss to the tip of her nose.

“God damn, Lily, you gave me a scare that I would lose you again, I don’t think I could have survived that. Can I take you home, please?”

Her gentle nod presses our mouths together, and that’s all I needed to press forward against her and into the front door of the bar. Breaking our kiss, she places a palm on my chest and breathily repeats, “Home. Take me home.”

There’s a sharp realization that passes through me. With a boyish grin, I tease, “Are you admitting that youlike me, Lily?”

“I’ve already told you, I love you, you goofball,” she chides.

“Yes, but youlikeme. You want to spend your time with me, youwant to be on that picnic blanket in ten years with me… so you’re saying that you’re mine?”

With really intense eyes, she is determined. Strong, like I always knew she could be. “No, River. What I’m saying is that I’m mine.” Gaze softening she adds on, “Just like you are yours. But, when the two of us are together things just work better. I’m saying that this team we started in elementary school is for the long haul. That when we have gaps in what makes us great on our own, the other steps up to gently support the other forward. So, no. I’m not yours, but this right here is ours.”

Then, she leans over and kisses me. “Let’s go home.”

Along the walk she suddenly laughs out, “Hey! Maybe I’ll even buy myself a hamper this time.”

Arrivingat the door a few moments later, I fumble with the keys. Tumbling inside all I can think about is how badly I need to get this woman naked. Now.

Watching as she unzips her hoodie and steps out of her shoes.

“What? Did I get something on me? Why are you staring?” she flushes.

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