Clockwork [final]

Eight

On the evening of the fourteenth of September, Derek appeared in Adette’s doorway, wearing a big smile from ear to ear. He had been out for a large portion of the day, but had kept her in the dark as to what he had been doing. She glanced at him uneasily. “What are you grinning about?”

“Get your coat Adette, I have a surprise for you.”

“My coat? Where are we going?”

“I’m taking you somewhere.”

“Can you even drive?”

Derek laughed nervously, not sure if he should be offended or not.. “It’s been a few years, but I’ve coped okay so far; touch wood.”

She couldn’t help but laugh a little. “Alright, but if I die in a car crash I’m coming back to haunt you.”

“I’m terrified,” he replied sarcastically, a playful gleam in his eye.

He had to admit that he was nervous. It had taken more than he had expected to arrange this, especially at such short notice. He’d had to remember how to drive all over again and make convincing excuses to ward away Adette’s suspicions. After that, he’d had to go to the bank where he’d discovered a small fortune left to him by his uncle, which lead to his hectic search to find the perfect gift for her. He had been a little saddened to find out about his uncle’s passing, but he didn’t really remember him very well other than the fact that he was a kind, generous man, so the level of grief he felt was minimal. He’d then been forced to revisit his old apartment and forced down the nostalgia and emotions while he searched for his guitar. The night before he’d stayed up until dawn hunched over his desk, trying to craft together the perfect combination of words to sing to her. And now, after all that effort, he was starting to doubt himself; what if she didn’t like it?

“So where exactly are we going?” she probed as she clambered into the car.

“You’ll see,” he evaded.

“What’s the occasion, then?”

He paused for a moment, considering whether or not to tell her. “I found out it’s your birthday. Trying to hide things from me, eh? You been lying about your age?” he smirked as he glanced at her, his chestnut eyes alight with mischief.

“What? How did you know?” she spluttered.

“Calendar robot,” he said simply.

“Damn it, I knew I shouldn’t have programmed my birthday into that thing.”

Derek appeared to consider as they pulled up to a traffic light. “Why didn’t you say anything about your birthday anyway?”

“I don’t really celebrate it.”

“Why not?”

“It’s just not my thing. We never did it in my family- they thought it was sinful to celebrate the day of your birthday. And I guess, since I never did as a kid, I never saw any reason to now. Why would I? There’s not much point in celebrating a birthday alone.”

“Well, happy first birthday, Adette,” he smiled as they parked outside a building Adette didn’t recognize.

“Where are we?”

“Jeez, you and the questions tonight! Just follow me, you’ll find out.”

She gave him a wary look but followed him out of the car and into the building. She stared around with a newborn’s eyes at machines filled with popcorn, walls covered in posters, and glowing signs. It felt like she should know where she was, but she honestly couldn’t put her finger on it.