“Well, I only want good news. Don’t forget,” he says.
“Oh, it’ll be good.”
“Emi, you can’t stop there. What do you think it’ll be?”
I catch myself staring into the depths of Danner’s stormy eyes, feeling a heavy sensation in the pit of my stomach. The back of my neck grows warm, and I close my eyes. “I—well…” Another chill spreads through my body and I can’t find my words.
“It’s the worst news ever,” Felix calls out, interrupting us. “It’s my turn. Move over,” he says, squeezing himself in between Danner and me.
“I just read your fortune!” Gerty shouts at Felix.
“I’m not taking in a stray cat next week. My father can’t even be around them without breaking out into hives.”
“Fine. Otto, I have your fortune ready.”
He groans and tosses his head back. “I don’t want to know.”
Danner shoves Felix to the side and sits back down beside me. “I wasn’t done yet,” he tells him. “Emi, you have to tell me if it’s good news or bad?” Danner asks again as Felix wraps his arm around Danner’s neck, horse playing like usual.
It’s bad news. I’m not sure why that thought is running through my head, but I’m trying to keep the words inside. There’s no reason to say something like that. I force a smile and say, “It’ll be good. I’m sure of it.”
“Okay then, if that’s the case…will you come to the bee farm with me on Sunday?”
His question takes me by surprise, but I answer without a second thought. “I’d love to!” My voice rattling with an awkward squeak as I startlingly remember my fear of bees. Danner winces at my response. He’s aware of my silly fear.
“Are you sure?” he asks again, still wincing.
“It’s time to get over my fear. I can do that,” I tell him, forcing myself to sound more positive than I feel inside. Regardless, I couldn’t imagine turning down an offer to spend time with him—bees or no bees.
“I’ll keep you safe, I promise,” he says as I step out the front door on this bright, sunny Sunday morning.
“I trust you,” I say, unable to hide the blush blooming through my cheeks.
“Here, I brought you a pair of gloves and a hat with netting to protect your face and neck.”
I’ll look ridiculous wearing this, but I assume he’ll be dressed the same way, so put my sense of style aside for today. We walk side by side toward the shallow woods that separate our homes from the rest of the city.
“Do you think you’ll be a honey farmer like your papa someday?” I ask, curious since Danner doesn’t talk much about his future dreams.
“I’m already a honey farmer. I’ll prove it to you today. Papa said I’m as good as any other and I’ll be well known for this honey someday.”
The leaves crunch beneath our feet as we enter the woods. “I know you’re scared of the bees, but are you aware that bees are one of the most important species on earth?”
I twist my lips to the side and raise my brow, questioning his statement, ready to argue the absurd fact. “I don’t believe that,” I say.
“It’s true. Albert Einstein said that mankind would be extinct within four years if we lost all the bees.”
“When did he say that?”
Danner shrugs. “It’s a fact. I don’t know. But I do know that bees are responsible for a third of the world’s crops and agriculture. A honeybee’s entire purpose in life is to keep our world from falling apart. Kind of like you. You talk about wanting to become a nurse so you can take care of people and keep them healthy. Some rare beings are born with a gift that keeps us all alive.”
“Like honeybees?” I repeat.
“And maybe you too.”
“I’m not a honeybee,” I argue through a giggle.
“Sure you are, a rare one only a few are lucky to be acquainted with.”
