Page 94 of Crystal Iris
“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way—things I had no words for.” – Georgia O’Keeffe
Sweat still drips down my face as I head home from yoga. The new instructor really wanted to make an impression. I rarely have to hold positions for that long, but it felt good to let it all out on the mat. I have two more days of work, and then I’m free until fall. I’ve never taken the entire summer off before, and I’m not even sure what I’ll do with all that time. Perhaps it’s finally the right moment to book that Europe trip I’ve always dreamed of.
I stop by a smoothie shop and order a protein shake. Getting in the best shape of my life is part of my goal for the summer. “It’s the new me. You won’t recognize me in the fall,” I told Akira yesterday after ordering a salad for lunch. She cracked up, though she didn’t discourage me. I’m motivated to become the best version of myself—even if I have no idea what that looks like yet.
I enter my apartment, arms full of my online orders. I open each package like it’s a gift. I can’t quite remember everything I bought—between the clothes, shoes, books, and even furniture, I’ve lost track. I wanted new things to mark this new phase in my life, butI might’ve gone a little overboard.
I’m trying on a pair of shoes when my phone rings.
“Hey,” I say, grunting as I struggle with the shoe.
“What are you doing?” Hoyt asks.
“Trying on a new shoe.”
“It sounds like you’re wrestling it.”
I laugh. “What are you doing?”
“Cooking.”
“What are you making?”
“Littleneck clams.”
“It’s times like this I wish you lived closer.”
“It smells amazing here. And I’m always wishing you lived closer too.”
“I’m thinking of going to Paris this summer,” I say.
“Really? By yourself?”
“Yeah. Have you ever been?”
“No, only Italy and Germany.”
“I have the entire summer off,” I continue. “I don’t think I can stay put without work for three months.”
“You could come here.”
“Hoyt.”
“I know, I know. I promise I’ll give you space. You can take your old room.”
“My old room?”
“And you can read, maybe visit the resort nearby. There’s a lot to do around here, and it’s fucking beautiful in the summer.”
“I don’t know. I was planning on… working on myself.”
“I have a gym, and… I can cook you anything you want.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Okay, I gotta go. I’m eating my amazing dinner outside, looking at the stars.”
I chuckle. “You are mean.”
