We didn’t speak for five minutes. Or maybe an hour. Our quiet contemplation was too serene to disturb.
I broke the silence. “Have you read all of the journal entries on his site?”
“I have.”
“He was content at the end and didn’t seem scared.” My voice was remarkably steady for someone as shaken as I was.
“True.”
I rolled my head until I could meet Grant’s gaze. “Why didn’t he tell us about it?”
“The other young men understood. You would not have.”
“I wish that I’d read it before. It might’ve helped.”
“The timing is no coincidence.”
“And you know this how?”
“Not all mysteries must be solved on your schedule.”
I swallowed a laugh. “You are such a jerk.”
“I’ve been called that before.” His smile was light.
Shoulder to shoulder, we shifted to take in the sky. It was amazing how something so big, incomprehensible, and distant could also be so comforting.
“My brother and I used to lie out here when we were younger. He seemed to know all of the constellations. Can you name any?”
“I can name them all.” Grant sounded insulted.
“Okay.” I pointed. “So is that one the Big Dipper?”
“In truth, the Big Dipper is an asterism, a smaller part of the constellation Ursa Major. And yes, you’ve indicated the Big Dipper.”
Such precision, but I had asked. “Is the thing that’s moving an airplane?”
“It is an aircraft of sorts, more commonly called the International Space Station.”
“We can actually see it?”
“Apparently so.”
“How about those two really bright stars near the moon?” I gave him a triumphant smile. “They’re stationary.”
“Venus and Jupiter.” He chuckled. “The planets.”
“Uh-huh.” My smile faded. “My brother had this poem he liked to quote. ‘She walks in beauty like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies.’”
“By Lord Byron.”
“Yeah. Sean said that it would be a compliment to be compared to starry skies. They’re always the same and always different. Mysterious, infinite, and vastly beautiful.” I reached for Grant’s hand. “Will you stay out here with me tonight? Until I recover?”
His hand closed around mine. “I shall remain as long as you need me.”
Status Report #9
Sunday’s Wish: Review of Social Media
