Page 76 of Night and Day
Izzy steered away, out to the middle of the river, pushing upstream. He wondered what the scenery looked like to Mia. She compared it to the Amazon, which he found funny. But everything around here must have looked so different to Finland. What was it like over there? Izzy hadn’t even considered travelling, other than maybe to L.A. one day, once he had his short film ready. It had been a hazy dream, one he’d only thought of in that vague way young people talked about retirement, as if all of that would one day happen to someone else. If he was completely honest, the thought of approaching those production companies scared him stiff, and he’d been happy to push it out of his mind, focusing on the painstakingly slow process of creating his vision, frame by frame. After years of saving, he had the money to upgrade his equipment and carry on with the task. Mia had even helped him figure out the ending. Thanks to her, he could actually reach this goal. But was it worth it?
“Wow, we’re going fast!” Mia appeared behind him, hugging his waist.
She poked her head under his arm, looking up at him with sleep-bleary eyes, her blond bob mussed.
“We don’t have a lot of time.” He wished he could make the words untrue.
Mia’s body tensed against his. “Oh, right. The last day.”
She squeezed her arms around him, breathing into his T-shirt. Her head, nuzzled under his chin, smelled of strawberries. Izzy wished he’d washed in the river. Even the nitrate-rich water would have been better than no shower at all.
“How are we getting the boat out of the water?” she asked.
“Deke’s meeting us at the ramp, bringing his dad’s car.”
“Oh, great. I get to say goodbye. I’ll miss that guy. And Casanova.”
Izzy shut his eyes for a second, trying to expel the image of goodbyes. In ten minutes, they arrived at the boat ramp, met by a broadly grinning Deke in his favourite rainbow-coloured tie-dye shirt.
“Deke!” Mia shouted above the puttering engine. “I love your shirt!”
His grin widened to cartoonish. “I love your dress.”
Mia’s hand brushed at the white cotton, her face brightening. Izzy slipped his hand around her waist. “Ilove your dress,” he added quietly. Why hadn’t he told her that? He wanted to be the one to make her face look like that. The regret of all the opportunities he’d missed and would miss blackening his thoughts, Izzy jumped out of the boat and helped to manoeuvre it back on the trailer.
“I can’t believe you’re leaving already.” Deke enclosed Mia in a tight hug, which in Izzy’s opinion lasted at least five seconds too long as they both whispered something he couldn’t hear.
“I can’t believe it either.” Mia’s voice choked up. She swiped a tear from the corner of her eye, casting Izzy a grateful smile.
“You have to come back.” Deke gave them both a meaningful look.
Mia nodded, meeting his gaze. More tears spilled out. Last night must have opened the floodgates, Izzy thought, his chest filled with pride and wonder. He’d never thought there was anything wrong with her, he simply couldn’t accept the premise, yet he sensed the significance those tears held for her. Whatever life she’d lived before, it didn’t matter to him. The real Mia was the one here with him, smiling through her tears, barefoot in a white cotton dress like a bohemian bride, her hair ruffled by the gentle wind.
Deke climbed back into the car. “Sorry, I have to take the car back.” He started the engine, lifting his hand in a showy wave. “Don’t look so sad. Love always wins!” he shouted before driving off.
Izzy and Mia walked down the river path towards Izzy’s house, watching as the sun climbed above the opposite riverbank, bathing them in light.
Mia seemed quiet, her eyes fixed on the flowing water as they climbed up the path that eventually swerved away from the river, towards Bader.
“Let’s take the scenic route,” he suggested, wanting to avoid the abandoned car carcasses lined up in front of the state housing.
He led them to a path weaving through a small forest, its floor covered with tiny flowers, like white stars twinkling against the dark green canvas.
Mia breathed deeply, her face splitting into a wondrous smile. “How does this country smell so good? Is it perfumed?”
Izzy chuckled, hoping the flowery smell covered the sweaty odour he’d definitely worked up on the way. He hadn’t paid much attention to the greenery around his house, but now the flowery carpet filled him with gratitude. Good job, late New Zealand spring. Maybe the flowers would weigh in his favour when she returned to the ice and snow.
Once they arrived at his house, it was already past eight a.m. Knowing they’d have to be on the road by nine, Izzy made eggs on toast and coffees, while Mia packed her few belongings. She presented back in the kitchen only fifteen minutes later, having showered and changed, carrying her small backpack and guitar.
“I feel weird boarding a long-haul flight with so little stuff.” She lowered her bags on the floor and her eyes lit up when she noticed the breakfast. “Thank you!”
As they ate, the clicking of the wall clock grew louder. Why did it have to march on?
Izzy hesitated, the question burning in his mind. “We should really get on the road now, to be safe. But I’d love to record that song. I understand if—”
“Let’s.” Mia lifted her eyes and he saw the flame.
They left the dishes on the table and rushed downstairs. Mia took Izzy’s guitar, running through the chords while Izzy set up the microphone in the corner he used for audio recording. It wasn’t exactly a recording booth, but the strategically positioned audio panels along the wall softened the sound and the basement was fairly quiet. Mia took out her phone and brought up the latest version of the lyrics. “Do you mind if I keep this phone?” She asked him. “I can send it back once I get home.”
