"That's good."
"I'm very grateful to you for what you've done for me. I don't know if I would have had the courage to do this if it weren't for you, Holly. Thank you."
She didn't smile.
"I hope I've done the right thing," she said.
I could only wonder what it was she saw in the stars that made her even doubt it.
It's better, I thought, not to ask.
2
Innocence Lost
.
Billy wheeled himself out to watch Holly and I
get into her car the next morning. After I loaded in my luggage, I paused to say good-bye and he took my hand into his and looked deeply into my eyes.
"Often, most of the time, I should say, we feel like ships passing each other in the night," he said. "We spend so little quality time with each other, barely getting to know each other, but I don't feel that way about you, Melody. You have been kind and trusting enough to open your heart to me. Thank you for sharing."
"Sharing? Sharing what?" I asked with a smile. "My problems?"
"Your problems are part of who you really are, but you didn't just share your problems. I got to see your excitement. I was able to feel your energy and it's strengthened me."
I looked at him with astonishment. How could I strengthen anyone at the moment: me, trembling on the sidewalk, terrified of the journey ahead of me.
He leaned forward and removed the gold chain and unique locket he wore around his neck. Then he handed it to me.
"I'd like you to have this," he said. "This is a lapis lazuli. It helps release tension and anxiety, but more important, it will enhance your ability to communicate with your higher self. It has helped me a great deal."
"Then I shouldn't take it," I said.
"No, it's all right. I want you to have it. Please," he insisted.
I saw he wouldn't be satisfied until I accepted his gift, so I took it and put it on. He smiled.
"Thank you, Billy." I leaned down to kiss him on the cheek, which automatically turned crimson. Then I hurried to the car.
"Mind the galaxy while I'm away," Holly called back to him. He laughed and waved as we drove away. I looked back and waved again until we rounded a corner and he disappeared from sight.
"It's funny. I haven't been here two full days, but I feel like I've known Billy for years and years," I said.
Holly nodded.
"That's the effect Billy has on everyone. I'm glad you had a chance to spend some time with him before you left for California," she added.
California! Just the way she said it and the way I thought about it made it seem like another planet. I sat with my knees together, my hands nervously twisting on my lap as we wove our way out of the city and toward the airport. Think of something pleasant, something calming, I told myself.
On the way to the airport, Holly described her sister in more detail, but admitted they hadn't seen each other for nearly a year.
"I won't go out there, and even when she comes here, I feel like I'm embarrassing her. She's seven years older, so there's nearly a generation between us, but deep down she's really very kindhearted."
"It's very nice of her to do all this for me, a complete stranger," I said, wondering just how deep was deep down.
"Dorothy loves being magnanimous. It makes her feel even more like a queen," Holly said, laughing. "I have something for you to give her." She reached into her pocketbook to produce a small jewelry box wrapped in paper decorated with the ram, the sign for Aries, Dorothy's sign. "It's a bracelet filled with amethyst. The gems for the Aries are amethyst and diamond, but she has enough diamonds. You'll see."