Looking For Space // Josh Kiszka

X

Hello my friends--it's here...

---

I would usually wake up earlier than Josh, which meant I was able to revel in his silent, peaceful beauty whenever we had what he called "sleepovers." When I woke up after our rooftop viewing party he was curled into my side, his head nestled against my shoulder and his face not even visible until I gently shifted. I turned over onto my back and sat up, and he lifted himself away from me by a couple inches, still asleep, and ended up with his face next to my thigh. He looked like an angel with his curls a messy halo around his head, his lashes resting on top of his cheeks, his smooth skin a little flushed.

If we were together on Saturday mornings we usually went out for breakfast--we liked observing the other patrons and making up stories about their lives, going back and forth with one another in whispers, our cups of coffee being refilled until we felt it would be rude of us to stay any longer. Sometimes the observations made for interesting poetry and interesting film ideas.

I wanted to actually make us breakfast, so I gathered whatever I could find from my own kitchen. Omelettes were easy enough and I even had some strawberries that were right on the edge, so I decided to make French toast, too. Soon enough the kitchen was warm from the two burners, the pans on top melting butter and grilling the bread, me bouncing from one thing to another, and I saw Josh in the corner of my eye just as I was flipping over the second omelette.

"Want help?" he asked, still looking a little sleepy, leaning in the doorway.

"It's okay. It's almost done," I said, carefully flipping the omelette--everything was turning out surprisingly well, except for me not having syrup and realizing it too late.

He moved to my side, observing the stove. "Omelettes?"

"I used all of the cheese I had," I said, plating it. "So they better be good."

He opened the drawer next to me and started taking silverware out. "It looks good. Sorry I slept through it." He yawned. "I could've helped."

"That's okay. You always look so cute when you're asleep, I never wanna wake you up."

He smiled and kissed me on the cheek before going to set the table.

The pure carbs, butter and sugar from the French toast seemed to cancel out the potential energy we would have gotten from the eggs, so Josh and I ended up lying face-up on my bed, full and tired. Not that I had any other plans anyhow--I was content to just be with him.

"It was the bread," I said, staring up at the ceiling light, which was off, the only light around us coming in through the blinds. "I should never buy white bread."

"I think it was the cheese," he replied.

I scooted up the bed and curled up against my pillow. "Nothing like a morning nap."

He followed and wrapped his arms around my shoulders and hooked his leg over my hips. "You'll be upset with yourself if you do that. I'll make more coffee."

I buried my face in my forearm. "No--nap time."

He lifted my arm and put it around his shoulder, pressing his forehead against mine. "Darling?"

I opened my eyes. "Starshine?"

His smile was pure star shine and sunshine. He kissed me, pressing me onto my back and getting on top of me, keeping his mouth on mine. I instantly felt more alive--he still had the ability to make my heart race with his kisses. I felt it drumming heavy in my chest, rising into my throat, and I kissed him back as my hand held his face.