When I spin the camera around, Glory’s silhouette fills the screen. The sun shines behind her, like the heavens putting her in the spotlight. A pain stabs me in the chest and I rub my hand over the wound. I missed her bringing me my sweet syrupy tea this morning on her way in and I’ve missed her teasing smile and that dirty lip bite she always had for me. I’ve just missed her in general.
I can’t even go back to how things were before, because being close to her and not being able to touch her is even more torturous.
* * *
Sitting on my porch steps, I lean back against the wooden post, knocking back a swig of beer. The waves crash against the pebbled shore and the sound of home comforts me. It’s different from the west coast and the wild surf of the Pacific Ocean. Here, I’m always at peace, or I was until now. Thoughts of Glory whip around my head, like the ocean breeze nipping at my skin. She’s infiltrated every cell of my body and there’s no shaking her off.
The wind picks up, rattling the screen door behind me. Smells like a storm is on the horizon. I look up at the dark heavens above me. The clouds hide the stars tonight. Lifting the bottle to my lips, I take another swig, tilting my head back. The first spots of rain land on my forehead. A rumble of thunder sounds in the distance and all I can think of is Glory alone in her parents’ house.
I check the time. It’s too late for a cab. Candy Cabs closed at midnight. As I stand from the porch, a flash of lightning fills the sky, followed by another rumble of thunder, sounding closer this time.
Glory hates the storms. And I hate thinking of her alone. There’s only one thing for it. I’m about a thirty-minute walk from her parents’ house. If I jog, I can make it there in half the time.
GLORY
The crack of white lights up my bedroom. The teddies at the top of my wardrobe all stare down at me as if I’m in some sort of horror movie. Storms always played tricks on me. Ever since my childhood, when a tree was uprooted and smashed into my father’s windshield. The branches seemed alive with claws scratching the car to get to me. The sound of bark on metal and the thundering din of rain hammering against the roof gave me nightmares for months.
My body jerks at the thunder getting closer with each passing minute. I pull the duvet around my neck, gripping the sheets until my knuckles turn white, But I keep Hero, my stuffed gator toy, nestled tightly in my arms. It's not as good as my real hero, but it's all I have right now. Shadows sway outside my bedroom window, threatening to break in at any minute.
I tremble under the duvet, contemplating calling Gray, but I need to learn to manage this on my own. Usually my parents are here and Mom always checks on me. Even now, she will come in my room with a warm cup of camomile tea and sit with me until the storm passes.
The shutters blow open, and the wind howls through the cracks in the old wooden frame. Rain pelts against the glass, reminding me of that night when Dad climbed in the back of his car to get me out of my car seat.
A knock at the door makes me jump out of my skin, then a stone hits my window. My name travels in the wind as if the elements are calling for me. My heart pounds against my ribs, then a pounding on the door below makes my chest tighten.
A familiar voice calls out my name, barely audible with the din of rain and pounding in my ears. But with the faint whisper of Noel’s voice, I reach for my phone and see several missed calls while it’s been in sleep mode.
Are you all right?
I’m on my way.
* * *
“Glory,” he shouts as a bolt of lightning strikes, propelling me down the stairs and racing to the front door.
With trembling hands, I turn the key and swing the door wide open. Noel stands on my parents’ porch, dripping from head to toe. The sight of him puts me at ease.
“What are you doing here?”
“It's storming,” he offers simply. He knows. He remembers. Noel steps over the threshold. His hand warms my cheek, despite it being wet and cool from the night air.
I lean into his rough palm as he holds my face, gazing into my eyes. “You came all the way across town in this storm for me?”
“I would travel across continents in stormy seas for you. My only regret is that I didn’t tell you sooner.” Both hands grip my face, his thumbs stroking my cheeks.
I’m still clutching the stuffed toy like a safety blanket. It’s been my only comfort this last week.
“I love you, Gloria. I love how creative you are. Kind. Beautiful inside and out. I even love your teasing. I love how you look at me like I'm your hero. And I want to be your hero. Whenever you need me, I’ll be there for you.”
My mouth hangs open, but no words come forward. I don’t know what to say, so I wrap my arms around his neck and press my lips to his.
With his muscular hands, he tilts my head to his desired angle and deepens our kiss. Our tongues tangle like tinsel wrapping around a Christmas tree. When he breaks the kiss to come up for air, his eyes glitter like a snow globe, and I see all my dreams coming true with this man.
“I love you, too, hotshot. Always have.”
Gray clears his throat, making me jump. He came over earlier to stay the night, knowing a storm was forecast.
My body tenses, ready to play referee. I can’t let him interfere with us anymore. I won’t let him ruin things again.
