Warren Beasts

53: The Book of Genesis

The new year dawns.

The loss still stings, but the Jackalopes move on.

In the end, it's all they know how to do.

Jupiter Fusion Feast + Fortune Cookie Factory turns out to be the perfect peaceful oasis to spend the first day of the new year.

Artie looks around the restaurant, his nostrils filling with the scents of sweet & sour chicken, fried rice, and Wonton soup. His mouth waters. The Jackalopes are gathered all around him, wearing their fanciest clothes. Their parents and Peter's Oma mingle around them. Dr. Howder is even here, watching the proceedings from a quiet corner. The principal is an island of serenity.

Beside Artie, Wendy stands, for the first time ever, wearing a magnificent burgundy dress. She has lipstick on her lips. Eyeliner. It took Artie a few seconds to adjust when he first saw her walking through the door, but the expression on her face is radiant and he grows used to her new look in no time.

Artie's best friend nudges him playfully.

"Dude. Seriously." Wendy says, brushing long tawny hair from out of her face.

"What?" Artie replies.

"I can't believe you haven't called Jenny. She even came to see our playoff games! Batting those big brown eyes at you! She was shameless!"

"Jenny wasn't batting her eyes at me. She was just being friendly, is all. We have similar interests. She just wanted to talk shop." Artie says.

"If by shop you mean-"

Artie pokes Wendy in the hip. "Seriously Wendy, stop trying to get my hopes up!"

"Artie, c'mon. You're killing me here. You've been crushing on this girl since all the way back in the dark ages, when I thought I was a boy!" Wendy says.

Artie sighs, heavily. "Fine. Whatever." He pulls out his phone from a side pouch hanging from his wheelchair. He punches in Jenny's number.

It's already on speed dial.

Artie glances up at Wendy, now even taller than him in her impossibly high heels. She grins at him and winks.

Artie returns her smile, his heart thumping in rhythm with the dial tone...

Genesis leans over the balcony outside the main new year's party, watching small flecks of snow nestle their way into her tangle of golden hair. A flowery dress flutters around her ankles.

She feels Talia and Sage's presences before she turns to see them. They join her on either side, warm beverages clutched in their hands.

"So, an assistant coaching program at Atlas U after you graduate, huh?" Sage says, looking to Talia further along the railing.

Talia nods her head slowly, a smile creeping up her face. "Yup." She says simply.

"That's so cool, Talia." Gee enthusiastically pats her on the back.

"It is," Talia agrees, "but don't think I'll just get up and leave you all behind. I'll still be around. I'll still make sure I come watch some Jupiter Jackalopes games, from time to time."

"We wouldn't expect anything less." Sage chuckles.

"Damn straight." Talia heads back into the larger party, leaving Sage and Gee alone.

Like everyone else here, she can tell they may be in desperate need of some alone time.

The wind is the only sound between Sage Sawyer and Genesis O'Toole now.

It kicks up a half-hearted howl.

"Aren't you freezing out here?" Sage says, finally.

"No." Gee shivers.

Sage rolls her eyes. She takes off her trademark black leather jacket and wraps it around Gee's bare shoulders.

"So," Sage says, both to herself and to Gee, as she settles in beside her, "what comes next?"

She reaches for Genesis's hand.

Gee takes Sage's palm in her own and squeezes.

"Well, there's always next year..."

The End

***

Photo courtesy of Dương Hữu on Unsplash: https://unsplash.com/@huuduong. Edited.