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“That will be my new place,” I tell her, and her head whips around to look at me.
“New place?” she asks, and I smile at her shock.
“Huxley is spending more and more time here, and while the house is big enough for both of us, I kinda want my own place. Something just for Harvey and me,” I explain. “Something more permanent.” I need her to know that I’m not going anywhere.
“It looks like it is going to be big?” she asks, looking back over at the concrete slab that is tucked away a little more, bordered by larger trees. The tranquility that space offers is in complete contrast to the city. I can’t wait to make it my new home.
“It is. I want a lot of space. It was something lacking for me in LA. Out here, I just feel so much better, more at ease.”
“I get that. That’s how I feel when I stargaze. Like everything is alright in the world.”
“Speaking of which, let’s get set up before it gets too dark,” I suggest as the sun is almost down.
The back of the truck is full of blankets, cushions, and a picnic basket. I pull it all down as I lay out a few blankets and as Lacy places the large cushions, I grab a few more blankets to cover us later.
“Don’t tell me… Rochelle?” she asks as she looks at the food that I pull out, the two of us now sitting on the ground, with a mix of cashmere and mohair blankets around us to keep us warm. The large cushions at our backs allow us to sit back and relax in comfort.
“Yeah. I got a few of the cookies you like, as well as some different things. She has the best food in town. Probably even better than my mom’s, but don’t tell her I said that,” I say, which makes her laugh.
“So true. She has cooked for this town for years. It really is comfort food,” Lacy says, the two of us digging in.
“Wow, it’s so peaceful here…” Lacy says, staring out into the distance as we eat. She has a serene look on her face, and I’m glad I can bring some quiet to her world. I know her days are hectic, and I can visibly see her shoulders lower the longer we sit here. The night sky really is her peace.
“Whispers is a great part of the world.”
“What about Harvey? I know he loves Whispers, but a small town doesn’t offer kids the same things the city can, right?” Lacy watches me, waiting for my answer.
“Well, you and I both turned out okay and we grew up here,” I say, smiling, enjoying seeing her smile back. “I think Whispers offers him more than the city, actually. He can still get a great education, even better if you think about all the outdoor activities he now gets to do. Plus,he’ll join the Whispers baseball team and try other sports.”
She’s trying to sound me out, ensuring that I’m staying, not yet believing that I am.
“And, of course, we can’t forget that he is going to fly your jet,” she says playfully, and I chuckle.
“Hmmm, I feel like I already regret that conversation,” I tell her, finishing my sandwich, shaking my head at my son's antics.
“It’s a wonder he isn’t asking you about it every day,” she says through a giggle.
“Oh, believe me, he is. Let’s pack up. The sun will be totally gone in a few minutes, and I don’t want to miss the highly educational lesson I’m sure you are going to give me tonight.”
“There will be a test at the end,” she teases as we quickly pack up our picnic.
“I’m ready for it.” I’ve read and reread the book she gave me already, and while I am nowhere near an expert, I hope I can at least put the theory I’ve learned to good use. We get busy getting the blankets around us as the midnight-blue night sky takes over and the temperature drops a little.
“Come here,” I tell her, putting some large pillows behind us and lying down on my back, my arm stretched out, wanting her to lie next to me.
“It’s still a little too early. The stars are starting to show, but not in full brightness yet,” she says, tucking into my side, my arm under her head.
“So when did you discover a love for the stars?” Although I can’t see her face, I feel her smile.
“Mom has been sick since I was little. One night was a particularly bad night. She had to go into the hospital, and while everyone was busy attending to her, I slipped outside. I just needed to get away. The noise, the smells, the conversation. I was about twelve or thirteen, and I was panicking and just needed to escape. So I went outside and sat on a bench near the back door of the hospital,” she explains, and I nod, knowing where she is talking about. “It was so peaceful. Everything was still. The birds were asleep, no people, no cars, no noise. After a little while, I looked up. I got lost in the stars that night. I think I stayed there for about an hour before someone came and got me. From that night and pretty much every night since, I have stepped outside and looked up.”
I lean over, placing my lips on her forehead, keeping her close.
“Everyone needs a stress reliever, time away, it’s good. Healthy,” I tell her, appreciating that she has this as a hobby of sorts.
“I looked at a lot of starry nights after what happened at Marie’s Place,” she admits, and my heart thuds.
“I had a lot of sleepless nights after that as well,” I tell her quietly, the conversation turning a little more serious.