A Year Off
Part II
Post Flashpoint
"And that one, right there, is Orion."
"I know Orion. It's one of the only constellations I can pick out. I recognize the three diagonal lines that form his belt." Amy said, sighing and pulling her zipper higher on her jacket.
She and Jake had crawled out on the low, nearly flat roof of their small cabin they were renting for the week while the younger boys splashed and played in the hot tub on the back side of the house.
"Well, did you know that the orange one in his upper shoulder is called Betelgeuse?" Jake asked, looking over at her. They were both lying on their backs, finding constellations over the dark Spanish sky this post-Christmas night.
After they left Meenalapa, the brothers had traveled in Indonesia with their father before taking some time off to lay in hammocks and sip tropical drinks while they read all day. Jake had taken to learning constellations in the hopes of an evening just like this one. It was nearly the end of December and the two sets of siblings had decided to meet up for the holidays. The boys wanted to spend the week between Christmas and New Year with the Cahills and Amy and Dan were ready for some warmth after spending the previous month in Vancouver, skiing and skating and seeing the vibrant sights. Tarragona, Spain seemed to be the perfect fit.
"Betelgeuse?" Amy said playfully, "Like the old movie?"
Jake nudged her with his shoulder, "No, as in the celestial body that is over 750 light years away. That's one old star. In fact, when it goes Super Nova, it will take that long for it to reach us." He looked over at Amy, but her face was impassive, just taking in the night sky.
"And that one," Jake said pointing to the sky, is "Rigel. It's a blue supergiant."
Amy gave a shiver, despite the 50-degree weather, she hadn't worn a warm enough jacket.
Jake noticed, "Are you cold?"
Amy was about to answer that she was fine, when Jake unhooked his arm from his side and motioned for her to snuggle up next to him. She happily curled in the crook of his arm while he pulled her tight next to him. A shiver traveled down her body to her toes. It felt almost too personal to be snuggled up next to him like this, but she closed her eyes and sighed deeply.
Jake was having his own moment. He glanced at Amy and smiled to himself. He leaned his head down and rested his cheek on her head. Neither of them spoke for a while.
"What's that one?" Amy said, pointing with her free hand.
Jake had lost interest in their game, his focus shifting to the girl he loved lying so close to him. He took his free hand and pressed his palm against hers. The warmth of her palm felt electric against his.
Amy gave a tiny exhale. "I've never noticed how much bigger your hands are than mine."
Jake examined their pressed palms. She was right, only it wasn't his hand that was big, it was her tiny one. "It's alright, you can't help if you have tiny hands."
Amy scoffed. "I don't have tiny hands!"
"Yes, you do. See? Look how little your pinky finger is compared to mine?" Jake was teasing and loving it.
"No, you just have massive hands that are way too big for your arms," Amy retorted.
Carrying on as if he hadn't heard her insult, he said in his best baby voice, "Wook at dose itty-bitty baby fingers."
Amy scoffed louder and pulled her hand away, making to get up from the roof.
Jake laughed and pulled her back to him, "Amy, don't go, I'm only playing. You know that. I love your hands—and the rest of you." He added for good measure.
Amy sighed, sat and looked back at him over her shoulder. Jake had a very contrite look about him. It broke her resolve.
"Alright. But for the record, I do NOT have tiny hands."
"No, you don't. You have perfectly sized Amy hands." He took her hand and intertwined it with his, pulling her back into their comfortable snuggle.
A silence fell between them as they gazed back at the star-filled sky. In the distance laughter could be heard wafting up from the hot tub where the boys no doubt had been sharing jokes of the 'toilet humor' variety.
Amy gave a small laugh, listening to the two of them having so much fun.
"How's Dan?" Jake asked.
Amy glanced over at him, their hands clasped between them. "He's good. I think he liked Vancouver. I know I did. He's come back to himself more, I think. Of course, if I really want to see him at his best, I need to get him to Atticus."
Jake nodded, "Same for Att. He just comes alive when he's with Dan. I don't really understand it, but, they're more alike now than ever. He'll tell Dan things that even I don't know, and I've lived with him for twelve years!"
Amy smiled. "I guess that's what a best friend will do for you."
Jake gazed at her intently for a long moment before answering with purpose, leaning down to kiss her, "yes, that's exactly what a best friend will do for you."
