July

Sparks

The next night we made our way to Rory's. Her little workshop sat along the gravel way that led to her small cottage like home. It sat right on the water like Kate's did, but It was sat back a bit more, and the rocky shoreline made its way up her front yard.

When we got there she was grilling up sweet potato burgers. She wore a white t-shirt with a little pocket on the left breast and faded overalls splattered with paint.

"I hope you guys like these." She said with a small smile as we approached her. The grill was set in the opening of the workshop.

"Dont worry, they look great." I said as I took a paper plate. Isla eyed hers with an apprehensive stare. She was never one for trying new things. What with the cherry pie and now this, I was beginning to realize that Rory is quite the cook. After we all ate, we began our walk to the bridge for the fireworks.

It seemed as though the entire island had gathered here. We all took our places along the bridge looking out over the little inlet, Seaway's, and then the ocean. The first one shot up into the air with a loud hissing noise and as it exploded, everyone clapped and cheered. The fireworks came one after the other after the next and it was then that i realized that its been about ten years since I've seen them. The brilliant colors shown on the glass-like water. Isla seemed genuinely happy as she looked up to the sky, her arm intertwined with her sister's. I looked to my right at Rory, whose eyes were also pointed up, but she didn't look happy. I felt the smile on my face fade. For the day or so that I've known this girl shes been non-stop smiles, so whats up?

She caught me staring. "You're gonna miss the show." She said with the same expression. I almost couldn't hear her among the fireworks and the cheering that came after each one. I shot my gaze back up to the sky, but my mind never strayed far from who was right beside me.

A Week Later
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We didn't see Rory for a while after that night. The look on her faced burned in my mind even still. It made my need to see her even worse, but what I would say, I wouldn't have a clue. I wonder if she even realized that I noticed.

"I'm gonna go for a walk." I said to Isla one morning.
"Dont get lost," She said with a smile before taking a gulp from her coffee.

Not so absentmindedly, I made my way to Rory's. She was in her studio hard at work. She stood in front of a large canvas, and the closer I got the more amazed I was at what she had put onto it.

The fireworks were a spitting image of the real thing. Even the reflection on the water was just right. Soft, folky music played from her IPod on her worktable and I smiled at the familiar tune. It was the stuff Isla always told me to turn off because it was bringing her down, but for some reason it always made me happier than ever. I walked up to the garage opening and leaned against the side. She looked up and her smile came back. My breath caught in my throat at her old self returning. It was such a relief that when I smiled back I felt my heart become much lighter than before.

"Sorry to interrupt." I said, walking towards her.

"Dont apologize. I'm happy you came." She went back to work on her painting.

"Thats really amazing." I said."

A small smile played across her lips and some pink color painted itself onto her cheeks.

"Is this where you've been all week?"

"Oh," She looked down momentarily then back at the fireworks. "Yeah I guess I haven't been out in a while."

"Are you alright? You seemed a little......off the other day."

"I'm fine, really, i am. I just get a little off sometimes. I've been told that afterwards I hole myself up and no one ever sees me for a while. Sorry."

"Now its your turn not to apologize."

She smiled. "Nasty habit."

"Apologizing too much?'

"Seems as though it only makes people worse off."

"Indeed it does seem that way."

She put her brush down and turned to me, wiping her hands off onto her canvas apron.

"You can handle the truth right?"

"Id like to think so."

She bit her lip and seemed unsure, but she also seemed as though she had something she needed to get out. "Never mind. Not today."

"You sure? Honestly I'm here for you."

"Not now, please." She quickly returned to work on her painting. "I'll see you later then."

"Okay." She didn't look back at me and I took that as my que to leave. I walked back to Kate's with my hands shoved in my pockets. The overcast blew cold wind in from the ocean. What a beautiful day.

When I got to Kate's the smell of pancakes and coffee filled the air. I tried to think about these good things and Kate's company and my gorgeous fiance rather than the look on Rory's face when she was about to tell me the truth. But in that moment I found that my heart was stirring. It was not happy.

No that's not right. I love Isla. I love Isla. I love Isla.

But maybe if I truly did I wouldn't have to constantly convince myself of it.

I do love her, I do.