ENSHROUDING LIGHT

THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER

CHAPTER 17

THE BEST BIRTHDAY EVER

Their second visit to Mark's was for Tom's fourth birthday. She didn't intend to go back into the city until she had her powers but, he'd offered to do Tom a party at the home just because he knew he loved it there, claiming he also didn't want him to miss out on another. Tom hadn't had any more visions that Ethan was returning, no doubt because he was staying away again for a while like he always did when Tom fought back, so she could feel somewhat safe. So when Mark told Tom that there wouldn't be any children his age there, but it would be fun as well as an honour to host it for him, that was all that it took for Tom to lift the ban he'd placed on the last two birthdays.

Like the sun possessed an ability to bless, it was a beautiful, scorching, hot day. Once Tom had opened his presents from everyone, he rushed upstairs to get dressed, eager to walk. Although she too was looking forward to going, and felt safe, for the entire forty minutes it took, she was turning her head from side to side, on guard, just incase. As they reached the archway to the Garden of Need, she let David off his lead.

Tom watched him run across the meadowy land. 'He turns bright when he's happy.'

She wasn't fully listening. She was now staring at a man turning down the side of the skate park. Did he just look at her?

'You know like you do when you hug me...or when you're near Mark?'

She turned to him. 'Pardon?'

'I think people who are feeling happy or being loving can turn into light. That's how I know David loves it when I tickle his belly. I'm light all the time. That's because I'm special, just like Ethan is dark all the time because he's my opposite and...'

'You see people as light and dark?' Was it Rose who told her something like this years ago?

'Yes. When a person is nasty, they turn darker, and when they're nice, they turn lighter. When they show love, they're actually bright white like me. If I see an actual dark person I get scary feelings inside me and then my body feels like it's filling with light.'

'Saying a dark person makes it sound like you mean skin colour.'

'Well, of course, I don't.'

'I know that, but I wouldn't like you to say you get scared in front of dark people in front of Adaeze or Winston. If people didn't know what you meant they may think you're racist.'

'I wouldn't say it in front of them anyway. They're both light. Adaeze is very light. I think Adaeze is like me.' He looked up at her.

'Yes.' The confirmation flying out of her mouth with no resistance gave her a strange sense of release in her tight arms. Why did it feel right to tell him? Was it because her subconscious knew she should be telling him things? 'So people turn light when they show love, do they?'

'Yes. Mark lights up blindingly when he's near you.' He began to dance and spin on the spot. 'When people feel love, they invoke a bug that takes over their heart and mind; if it is shared, then they must be paired so their love can last for a long time.'

Her heart panged as she absorbed the fact that Mark loved her. It may not have come from the man himself but to have the obvious sounded out felt just as good. It had always been apparent how much he loved Tom but, even though he always treated her with kindness and respect, she could never be sure if he also loved her and if so in what way. Now she had evidence that he loved her too! Tom loved Mark, she loved Mark, Mark loved them—it should be so simple. What was stopping him from making a move?