Solomon couldn’t sleep that night. He wished it were like Christmas when he was a kid—that nervous excitement keeping him up in anticipation of a living room full of new toys and gadgets. But it was more like an aching pit in his stomach, a deep, low pain that pulsated all night and constantly reminded him of what the next day would bring.
At three in the morning, he tiptoed down the hallway in just a pair of pajama pants. He stepped into the living room, staring at the sliding glass door like he was staring deep into the void of space, a black hole leading into a world that had been so far out of his reach for so long. He moved closer, close enough to grip the door handle. Close enough to see his breath on the glass. And then he slid it open.
He didn’t move. But the cool early morning breeze swirled around in his face, lifting patches of his shaggy hair, and making him shiver. He wasn’t going to cry or anything. And he didn’t feel anxious or especially loopy, either. He was so close to the outside, but he was still standing, and that helped his breathing even out a bit. His heartbeat was strong, but not frantic like all the other times he’d secretly tried to go out there. All those times he’d never told anyone about. Now it was different, though. He was ready. And the pain in his stomach was starting to go away. So he just went for it.
He stepped outside. And then he kept going, until he was walking down the pool steps and into the deep end. When he got there, where the drain sat brand-new and ready, he lay down on the faux-pebble surface and looked up at the stars.
And that’s where they found him sleeping the next morning.
TWENTY
LISA PRAYTOR
Most people her age wouldn’t have been awake at eight thirty a.m. when Solomon called the next day, but Lisa wasn’t like most people. She’d already showered, gotten dressed, straightened her hair, and had a bagel with cream cheese. Sleeping in was for the unmotivated.
“You’re up early,” she answered.
“Guess where I am.”
“Very funny.”
“No, really. Guess.”
“Your bedroom?”
“I’m in the backyard, Lisa.”
“Shut your mouth.”
“I won’t. I can’t. I’m outside. It’s nice out here, right?”
“Oh my God, Sol.”
“Listen to me. I’m okay. Why aren’t you over here yet? Where’s Clark?”
“Is there even any water in the pool?”
“They just started filling it up. Said we could swim at five or six. I’m not sure I can make it that long.”
“Wait, you’re outside right now?”
“Yeah, sitting in the grass. I didn’t realize I missed doing this.”
“Wow . . . this is . . .”
“It was weird. I couldn’t sleep. At all. So in the middle of the night, I just opened the door and walked out here.”
“Amazing.”
“I fell asleep in the pool.”
“You what?”
“Dad found me before he left for work. I’ve never seen him so happy.”
“I can imagine,” she said. “I bet your mom cried.”
“She was already at work. But I’m sure she’ll attack me when she gets home.”
“This is so great, Sol. How do you feel right now?”
“Like I passed the entrance exam for Starfleet Academy.”
“I’m going to guess that means good.”
“I feel awesome. Did you know you can hear the freeway from my backyard?”
“Mine too,” she said. “I’m going to call and wake Clark up and then head over. Don’t get tired of being outside before we get there.”
“Yeah, right.”
Lisa couldn’t get Clark on the phone, so she drove over to his mom’s and banged on the door until someone answered. It was Drew and she was not happy to be awake.
“Lisa?” she said, sleepy-eyed.
“Hey, sorry. Is he here?” She stepped around her and walked down the hallway toward his room. She thought about knocking, but she didn’t. She walked right in and found him asleep with one leg hanging over the side of the bed and his face completely covered by a blanket.
“Clark?” she whispered loudly. He didn’t move. “Clark!”
He shot up and out of the bed so fast that Lisa jumped back, afraid he’d start swinging his fists or something. Then she laughed and looked him up and down.
“Clark, you’re naked.”
“Shit. Sorry.” He grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around himself. Then he sat down on the bed.
“This I did not know about you,” she said. “Must get cold.”
“What time is it?”
“Eight forty-five. I know it’s early, but Sol went outside.”
“What?”
“Yeah. He just called me. We have to go see this.”
“Okay. Right. Umm . . . don’t look.”
He quickly stood up and slid on a pair of boxers that was lying on the floor. Lisa pretended not to look, but it had been a while since she’d been alone with him and even longer since she’d seen this much of his body.
“I mean, we could wait fifteen minutes or so,” she said suggestively, reaching over to grab his wrist.
“Are you kidding me?” He pulled his arm away. “He’s outside. We’ve gotta get over there.”
With a defeated look on her face, Lisa watched as he threw on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Then, just as she stood up to follow him out, he turned back and gave her a huge smile.
“I need swim trunks, don’t I?”