Page 83 of Robbin’ the Rich

"There," I said.

"Better?"

His smile was soft and completely unguarded. "Much better."

He looked into the telescope and adjusted some nozzles. Why was this almost as attractive as watching him play his bass?

“Come here,” he said, reaching for me.

I took his hand as he settled me down next to him.

“Here, look through this.”

His arm wrapped around my waist as I lowered my head to the telescope. The eyepiece felt cool against my cheek.

“If you look slightly to the right, you will see ursa major.”

“The big dipper?” I pulled back from the telescope to look at him.

“That is part of it. If you look further to the right, you see those three stars?”

He pointed to the sky and I followed his gesture.

“I think so.”

“That is the bear’s head. Below it are the feet.”

I lowered my face back to the telescope and I saw it.

“I see it!” I called excitedly.

I pulled back and looked at him, and I wasn’t sure who’s smile was bigger, his or mine.

“In about thirty minutes there will be a meteor shower. I brought us some snacks while we wait.” He opened the picnic basket and pulled out some pizza flavored Pringles and Sour Patch Kids.

My mouth fell open.

“I pay attention,” was all he said as he opened them for me.

We sat on the blanket with our shoulders pressed together beneath the blanket. The picnic basket turned out to contain hot chocolate in a thermos and enough snacks to feed a small army. We passed everything back and forth while talking about absolutely nothing and somehow everything at the same time.

Every so often, Micah would point toward the sky and direct my attention to a constellation. He knew them all. Not in a show-off sort of way, but with the enthusiasm of someone sharing something he genuinely loved.

"There. Did you see that"

I squinted.

"No."

His laugh warmed me more than the hot chocolate.

"There was a shooting star."

"I missed it?!" I moved to the telescope and looked at the night sky.

He shifted closer behind me and guided my gaze with a gentle hand. The warmth of him settled against my back. His voice dropped slightly as he explained what I was looking at. I wasn't paying much attention to the stars anymore, I was paying attention to him.

Then suddenly something streaked across the sky. Gone almost before I could process it. My breath caught. "Micah!"