She paused.
“Guess?” I tried.
She lifted the box to her nose, sniffing as if scent might reveal its secret.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, gazing at the square glass candlestick inside. Transparent green glass, one piece, four little legs. A stunning piece of handmade work. She held it gently, peering through it toward the sunset glowing through my window.
“Open yours. Let’s see the other color,” she asked, just before leaving.
I tried to mimic her careful moves, but being too keyed up, I tore the wrapping and even the box. I pulled out the candlestick and set it in her hands. She held both – one in each hand – studying them as if searching for something.
“This one’s the female, yours is the male,” she finally said.
“How can you tell?” I asked, baffled.
“I can’t explain. I just know.”
“Look through them at the sun. You’ll see – each has a different hue. Yours is bluish, mine green.”
“No way – they’re almost identical. Handmade, sure, but still…” I objected, confused.
I did as she said. And she was right – the light through each candlestick was different. I searched for another explanation, something physical, a prism effect maybe, but found none.
“You said they were different even before you looked west at the sunset,” I said in wonder.
“I can’t explain. They’re so alike, yet so different. Maybe one day you’ll understand – when you have the tools.”Was I hearing the voice of the future? My heart raced. I looked at her. Lily dropped her eyes.
“Can I kiss you on the cheek?” I asked.
“I should be the one kissing you,” she replied.
“Then both of us – me because I asked, you as thanks.” I leaned in and kissed her cheek, lingering a bit longer than a casual kiss. She didn’t pull away. Then I offered her my cheek. She lifted slightly and kissed me back, her lips resting just a moment longer than necessary. When she pulled away, I held her gaze. She broke it first. I felt something forming between us. Something different.The way she said she had to go made it clear this wasn’t the end. That’s why I didn’t argue. Standing at the door, she promised to call by the end of the week. I wasn’t surprised. I felt a little more confident that something real might happen between us – but I was still buzzing with nerves. We both knew something had begun. Neither of us had a clue what it was, or where it might lead.
Chapter 7
Two Become One
The next day, when I came back from the hospital and opened the apartment door, I saw the answering machine blinking.
“I just called to thank you again. The candlestick is simply wonderful!” For the first time, I heard her voice on the machine. There was something magical about it that captivated me. I felt her filling me up more and more. Even the empty living room suddenly seemed alive, flooded again and again with the sound of her warm voice. Then it hit me – Lily hadn’t left a number to call her back. The euphoria drained out of me, and I felt bound, trapped. As I wavered between frustration and excitement, the phone rang.
“Are you coming over for dinner? My mom’s inviting you,” said David.
“Sorry, I’m busy,” I answered, disappointment flooding every cell in my body.
“With Lily?”
“Not yet,” I said. The truth was, I had no idea what I’d do, but I wanted to be alone – maybe to check in with myself, to figure out what I was feeling.
“I’ll tell you when I see you. So – what’s going on with Shira?”
“I’m meeting her tomorrow.”
“Please, be careful with her,” I urged.
David had dated plenty during our internship. He was handsome, loved to flirt, and every woman was sure she was the only one. He, on the other hand, had a habit of vanishing. More than once, I and others had to cover for his sudden disappearances. But with Shira, I knew my tolerance was at its limit – I couldn’t let him hurt her.
“What are you, my mom?” he sounded surprised, but not angry. I could almost see his grin through the phone.
