6:22pm
"Jackson? Where are we?" Mark holds onto my wrists as my hands cover his eyes.
"We're almost there."
I continue to lead Mark into the room.
"Watch your step." I guide Mark down a small flight of stairs.
"Where are you taking me?" Mark giggles.
I stop him in the middle of the room.
"Keep your eyes closed." I remove my hands from his eyes.
I turn him until his body is facing the large screen.
"Open your eyes."
Mark opens his eyes and he gasps.
"Jackson..." Mark turns to me, wide-eyed.
"Surprise!" I exclaim with a smile.
A smile forms on Mark's face as he admires the karaoke room I brought him to.
There are couches against the back wall, a large screen displaying a bright background with bubbly letters of the word 'karaoke'.
I grab a microphone off of the brown table in the middle of the room and I hand it to Mark.
"Let's have some fun." I smile.
Mark takes the microphone and smiles at me brightly. His eyes brighten with joy.
"Let us have some fun."
And for the remainder of our night, Mark and I sing with our scratchy voices, dance with our terrible moves, and laugh to our heart's content.
Mark sings me a song in English, his native language.
His voice is enchantingly beautiful. His eyes gleam in the dark room and his bright smile never leaves his face. Once the song finishes, he plops on the couch.
We've tired ourselves out from the hardcore karaoking.
"Thank you for this." Mark looks at me with loving eyes.
"Makes me feel alive!" He stretches his arms into the air.
"You are alive." I smile.
Mark smiles.
He gets up and sits on my lap. He wraps his arms around my neck and squeezes me into a tight hug. I squeeze his body in return.
Mark feels very much alive.
I want him to stay like this but....
"Thank you for making me feel alive." Mark presses his warm, soft lips against mine.
"Now," Mark hops off of my lap and grabs two microphones. "let's continue to party!"
I laugh at his energy and grab a microphone from his hand.
Mark and I sing some more until our voices literally give out.
Tonight was fun.
Mark was so happy, I never saw him so carefree and giddy like tonight. And I was just as happy to see and be there with him.
Tonight was amazing.
