The Enchanted Ones

Opening Up

Everett

My mom is seated opposite me and dad beside her, sipping some wine. They acknowledge looks and my dad nods at her.

I frown. What the hell is going on?

"Everett honey, I know I just came back  a week ago. But I have to leave again." Mom says.

I sigh and lean back on my chair. Nothing new.

"With dad."

I raise my eyebrows and turn to him. His lips fall into a thin line and he nods.

"For what?" I ask.

"We have a meeting with Fabiano Lister. In Italy."

I nod and wait for them to go on.

"It's about some licenses and contracts for the training fields. We want to start with Italy, and Lister wants to go through the process of signing in person." Dad explains.

"Okay." I nod, "You're not asking for my permission right?" My eyebrows raise, "I'll be fine on my own."

"Yes that's not the problem, honey." Mom sips her wine, "We know you'll be fine on your own. It's just..." She turns to dad.

"We leave on Friday." He says and I frown.

"Alright...have a nice trip?" I'm confused. Where are they going with this?

"Saturday is your birthday, son."

Oh.

"That's fine."

"No, we always have dinner together and blow the candles." Mom takes my hand in hers, "We don't want to leave you alone but we have no other choice."

"It's okay, I'm almost twenty four years old, I don't need my parents to celebrate my birthday." I chuckle.

Mom smiles sympathetically and I return it.

It's no big deal, I mean it's embarrassing enough I don't have any friends to celebrate my birthday with.

I once had Enzo, but I don't anymore.

And that's my fault.

***

My feet are moving in circles in the pool water. I've been sitting here, feet in the water  for the past hour. I don even know how late in the night it is. I couldn't care less.

I don't usually allow myself to think about Enzo but it's been a while.

My head is hung low and my hands resting on my lap. The words he said the night before were, 'You're my one and only friend, Everett. I trust you with my life."

My skin is itchy. I get goosebumps only thinking about it. Next thing I know, I burn him alive. I hang my head back and look at the sky. The stars are lovely tonight. I wish you were here, Enzo.

"That one is definitely a boy. Hmm, how about Milo? It suits him." Her soft voice interrupts me. I turn to look at her and take in her side profile looking at the sky. Her hand touches mine when she places the tip of her toes in the water and slowly her legs. Wow, her hand is so small compared to mine. Both her hands could literally fit in one of mine. She turns to me and I feel my features soften whenever I look in her hazel eyes. "What are you doing here in one in the morning?"

I shrug and look back at the sky.

"Are you okay?"

I shrug again.

"Have you forgotten how to speak?" Her face is now closer to mine, frowning at me.

Every time you're around me I forget how to speak.