They enact their special handshake, slapping their hands together, backward and forward, bumping elbows, and then wiggling to end it, while he giggles and tries to get it right.Mostly, he does.She rustles his hair before holding up her tablet victoriously and saying her goodbyes.
“Dad, we had corndogs,” he continues, “and watchedSpiderman, and Mom wants to get a cat?—”
He stops upon seeing Mr.Massie, who bows dramatically.“Olly!It’s a pleasure to meet you.I’m Eric the Sword-Swallower.”
Olly laughs.“That’s funny.”
Mr.Massie’s smile lifts to me.“Henry, I thought we might talk?I know you’re busy with this little tyke and Venus, but?—”
“Venus?THEVenus?”His brown eyes enlarge to the size of golf balls, and his jaw drops.
“Um, yeah, the real Venus.”I run a hand through my hair—I haven’t prepared for this.“She’s installing the garden on the roof.”
I refuse to lie, but this is awkward.Wouldn’t allowing them to meet break our no-attachments agreement?Olly’s already attached to her through my stories, and Venus doesn’t want to be attached to us.
But I think of what Dr.Blake said, that she doesn’t know what she wants, and Dot’s encouragement:Why not love her while you have the chance and let the future take care of itself?
“Dad!She’s here?”he asks again, impatiently.His pleading eyes end any debate.This might be his only chance to meet her.After all my stories, how could I deny him?
“Could you wait here, Mr.Massie?I have to…”
He waves me off and plops onto the bench.“Take your time.”
My son’s cheeks puff with his hopeful smile.
I try to predict Venus’s reaction.Will she run away?Is she already climbing down the fire escape?If she stays, will she be cold and aloof, ultimately hurting his feelings?Test her, then.If there’s any hope, you’ll see it.
I take his hand, leading him to the staircase.“I’m happy for you to meet her, but just remember, Venus isn’t like other people.”
He scoffs.“I know, Dad.That’s what I love best about her.”
Did he saylove?Everything inside me sinks a little.I stop him on the stairs and crouch to his level.“I’m sure she’ll love you, too, but it might be hard for you to tell that on the outside.”
“Right,” he says, rolling his eyes impatiently.“She’s short on smiles but big on brains and feelings.I remember.”
Olly pushes through the rooftop access door in front of me, almost tripping over his feet.
“Venus!”he shouts.“I’ve beendyingto meet you!”
Shoving her gloves into her fanny pack, she turns—a deer caught in the headlights.
At first.
Olly races over, dumping his backpack and all but forcing her to meet him at his level.She goes to one knee just in time for him to crash into her arms.
And there it is, this sweet and elusive glimmer as she accepts his embrace—one I’ve rarely seen.Her hand falls against his back, ring-covered fingers spreading over him, and her eyes close as she tucks in her bottom lip, like she’s tucking in her emotions, too.She nestles against his small shoulder.Her cheeks plump in an uncharacteristically wide and beautiful smile.
This is Venus,happy.
A sharp inhale makes my chest flutter at the sight of it.My heart catches in my throat—I never would’ve expected this.That Olly would be bold enough to hug a stranger or that Venus would be so gracious in her acceptance.Have I ever seen Venus hug anyone but me?
No—an answer that makes my emotions swell even more.
Olly pulls back, beaming at her.He grabs her arm, unabashedly touching and ogling her tattoos.“Aw, you’re all painted.It’s so pretty and cool.Dad didn’t tell me about that.”
Her eyes cut to mine.“You told him about me?”
“He’s told me all your stories,” Olly answers for me.“About climbing trees and Frank the Frog and ants in the pants and the gardens you planted and the adventures you went on?—”
