𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣'𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙣

𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒆𝒆

Calvin
• • •

Sometimes I thought that Saturn was made of stars. It was impossible for a human being to be so bright, so celestial. She was magic. She was guidance in the night. She was stars.

By Christmas, finals had come and gone. Thanks to Saturn's assistance, I was confident that I'd done well on them, especially in Literature. Now that we were on holiday, Saturn could finally pour her utmost attention into me and into us. We never truly made things official. It was not necessary to do so as two people who had never been so sure of anything in either of our lives. We were designed for each other.

I made sure to schedule Saturn and me in at the shop on the final day before we closed for the Christmas break. I knew it would be slow, and spending time alone together never hurt. My favourite thing on Earth had become sitting alone in a room with Saturn, simply existing together.

I opened the door for Saturn and the little bell dinged. I wished I could yank it down, but I knew that it would piss a certain someone off, who happened to love the bell.

Before following Saturn into the shop, I flipped open the mailbox. I had been waiting for a Christmas card from my mother, which she told me would be there soon. As for my father, I prayed not to receive anything from him. The constant dread in my chest was the only Christmas gift he'd ever given me.

In the mailbox, I saw an envelope addressed to me. I pulled it out, choosing to open it outside. I didn't want Saturn thinking I had anything on my mind but her right now. I peeled open the envelope and into my palm fell a letter, accompanied by a shiny gold locket engraved with a single star.

Dearest Calvin,
The other day, I received an email from a girl named Saturn. At first, I thought I'd read it wrong, but no, there it was at the bottom of her message. What a beautiful name. She mentioned how you'd asked her to send the November financial statements my way while you were absent. She also told me how welcoming you'd been to her, taking her under your wing at the shop. I am so proud of you, Calvin. I know it can't have been easy finding people to work in the shop while you are away. But it seems you have found someone quite wonderful indeed.

I'd like you to give the enclosed locket to Saturn. It was mine while I attended Kenton, when I opened the bookshop, and when I had you, son. It is so special to me, but it is time for it to be passed on to the next worthy woman. With the locket, send her my love and gratitude. As for yourself, I have sent a holiday bonus your way, and I hope you'll use it to buy yourself something extra special. You deserve it, son. You deserve the whole universe.

Happy Christmas, my boy.

    -Mum

I closed the letter. A single tear trickled down my cheek, another reason I wished to read the letter outside. My mother never failed to bring out my vulnerability, not unlike Saturn herself. But still, I did not want her seeing me cry over my mother's Christmas card. I wished that the two of them could meet, but my mother lived in Scotland now, so the trip was unrealistic.

Once I had collected myself, I went to her. Saturn was seated at my desk and wore a smirk when she saw me. She knew how it used to irk me when she sat at my desk, used my computer, and pretended to have the same level of authority as I did. But now, she could have sold the shop without my permission, and I would have thanked her.

"What took you so long?" she asked.

"We have mail," I told her, holding up the envelope.

"From who?" Saturn wondered, coming around the desk.