3 YEARS LATER
I groan as my hearing aid emits a high-pitched ringing, taking it out and storing it quickly (and irresponsibly) in my bag. Damned fire trucks, always setting it off, I don't need the aid right now anyways, as I'm meeting Rune. I think about the presentation I just gave, feeling a wave of jittery nerves, pride and accomplishment, while I speed walk through the crowded sidewalk. What is it with slow walkers? Move!
My bag almost slips off my shoulder as I shift it, I regret bringing so much shit, I just wanted to be prepared. Granted, the university said they'd provide the computer, proyector and everything, but I just wanted to bring my own just in case. It was important.
A few months ago, when my book was published and the sales skyrocketed, I got the opportunity to start giving presentations to first year university students, faculty members and anybody who wanted to join in, telling them my story, how I've coped, mechanisms to use for themselves, crisis hotlines, how to support a family member, friend or stranger during a mental health crisis, and more. I've given three so far, and they've been great.
The first one, I sweat so much my shirt was sticking to my back by the end of it. For this last one, I can successfully say my voice didn't break. The auditorium was full, and so was my heart, a few months away from graduating with a degree in psychology, and my book still being #1 bestseller at most libraries around NYC, I couldn't be happier with what I'm doing with my life.
"Sorry!" I say as I accidentally bump my bag into the shoulder of a woman standing at the street corner. Why is she chatting in the middle of a busy sidewalk anyway? I wait for the pedestrian signal to turn green, the coffee shop on the other side
The huge sign stands out among all others "The Black Rune", in bold shiny letters, a little bit crooked but that's my brother for you. I cross the street and approach the double doors, instantly getting the feeling that something's off as I push the door open
I'm immediately startled and almost drop all of my things as my eyes register before my brain a group of people jumping at me
"Happy Birthday Nova!" a crowd of people screams
"Oh my God" I laugh, my brain catching up with what my eyes are seeing
I was meeting Rune here for coffee and a few birthday strawberry tarts, but as the confetti clears I see my dad, standing tall and proud holding a very pink, very flowery cake. Cheryl stands by his side, always, from the day they met two years ago during a storm, when she was stranded on the side of the road with a popped tire. They say it was love at first sight after they went inside a 7eleven to wait the storm out
She's kind, brave and knows how to style her hair in the prettiest black waves. I smile at them and then turn to look at my brothers holding a banner that says Happy Birthday Rune and Nova! Eli stands to one side, with a small smile, which I know is as much as one gets from him. He looks funny surrounded by all the flowers and decorations
Raf, Lucas and Santi stand by a pastry table. Raf has moved out of the nest, though only temporarily. He's fostering a twelve year old boy, Angel and he felt it would be best for the kid to have a bit of a less crowded space to adapt and heal. We don't know if he's gonna stay for long yet, his mom is trying to get sober through a program to get him back. He isn't here so it's probably visiting day
"We were supposed to meet at the house tomorrow, what are you guys doing here?" I ask while going around hugging everyone. It's been so hard living away to study, I so want to go back to living with my loud, busybody brothers
"Well, we wanted to see you give your presentation" Lucas says and I gape
"We know you've said not to go because you get nervous, so I talked to the Dean and they gave us access to the backstage" dad continues
Makes sense I didn't even think they could possibly be watching me, or else I would've puked in front of everyone. I just want to make them proud after everything we've been through
"It truly was a beautiful presentation Nova, you have a gift" Cheryl says, I get teary eyes
"Thank you, I'm glad you guys secretly did that" I chuckle
Rune comes over to side hug me, "Happy birthday twin" he says before pinching my side and moving away before I can elbow him
"Happy birthday asshole" I reply back
"I'm thinking about taking Angel to your next one if that's okay with you" Raf says and I smile, nodding in agreement. I've been slowly introducing myself to the kid, so has Rune, we have some similar background and I tink he'd benefit from having somebody who understands
"Well, I'm starving, how about we sing and cut the cake already?" Santi says, he's been letting his hair grow for a couple of years now, he keeps it in a bun but I bet it's as long as mine now. He also set a motorcycle shop up, and has been hanging out with a tough crowd, riding away with his new friends and doing illegal shit I'm sure
We have a bet going on, on how long it'll be until he gets arrested for blowing something up or speeding or whatever else he usually does. Dad is not very amused though, Cheryl has talked him down from making him close the shop
We sit around a table, with Rune's crocodile themed cake on his side and my cake on mine. The lights go off and we light the candles. I look around the table, seeing my loved ones faces illuminated by the glowy light as they sing to us
A few tears fall, as I think about how lucky I am and how far I come. I remember when I stood at that ledge my dad said to let him show me that life is worth living
As I close my eyes, I realize with a smile that my wish had come through long before I blew out the candles
Thankful, I wish for another year...
THE END
YOU ARE READING
Nova Grace
General Fiction"Give me three months Nova, only three months and I'll show you what having a family is. That this life - despite all the pain you've endured - is worth living" Emilio, my father, whispers into the cold night He walks with cautious steps as I stand...
