Page 89 of Spark

Pulling her phone free from her pocket, Mia dialed Aurelio. The phone rang twice, and then his voicemail beeped to life. “Hey, Aurelio, just checking in. I know you are in the middle of something, so no worries. I’m okay, just was wondering about…” she paused. Should she worry him about Mac? If he was in the middle of a job, she didn’t want him getting distracted. She sighed, “…if I should buy a dress that matches the color of your suit.” She gave a little laugh. “Maybe I’ll drag my brothers along to pick it out. Anyway, I love you. Be safe; drive fast.” She clicked the phone to hang up and turned off the screen. Shesighed, her hands crossing over her chest. Her belly rumbled again, and she turned to go back in.

The food went quickly between the four of them. Amy even brought out more fries as Mia returned to the table since the boys had already devoured the first round. They chatted, laughing with each other as they were filled in on their day-to-day lives. Flory came over and sat; Mikey gave up his seat for her and squatted at the end of the table. The only thing that was missing, Mia felt, was Aurelio. She tried not to let it get to her, but she wished he could have been there, with an arm around her shoulder, and getting to know her brothers. Amy brought the check, and Flory tried to swipe it, saying it was on the house, but Mia couldn’t let that happen.

“Flory, we just ate a lot[HF24].” Mia chuckled. “Please, let me pay.”

“No,” Melvin insisted, pulling a credit card from his wallet, which still hung on a chain from high school, and slid it toward Amy. “Let me pay.”

She smiled and ducked away before anyone else could argue.

“Fine, waste your money,” Flory said, still smiling. “Be good, boys; watch after my Mia.” They all nodded and said, “Yes, ma’am.”

Mia rolled her eyes. “Flory? Do you need a ride to graduation?”

“Oh, that would be lovely. Pick me up here?”

“Sounds good; one work?”

“Works perfect, love,” Flory said, shuffling behind the counter.

Amy came back and handed over the card and receipt to sign. “I can’t believe you’re graduating, Mia.” There was no more sadness in her eyes. “That’s so crazy.”

“I know. I can hardly believe it myself.”

“Your folks must be so proud!” Amy exclaimed, and Mia realized she had never talked about her parents to her.

Before she could let the comment sink in, Mikey threw his arm around her.

“They are.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

The car ride home was slow, with Matty behind the wheel. Melvin sat up front again, with Mikey and Mia in the back. They all complained they ate too much; the third milkshake was one too many over the line. Mia was ready to crash. All her responsibilities were done; all she had to do was wait for graduation day. When they made their way up to her floor, Mia slid her keycard on the lock.

“Oh shit, here.” She said, pulling her extra guest pass out. She handed it to Mikey, his eyes wide.

“One?” He asked, Melvin taking it from him.

“Yeah, the other one…” she paused, pushing through the door, the boys following behind. “Aurelio has it.” She said quietly. Her brothers looked between each other and gave hmmp’s.

As they reached her door, they realized her broken mirror was gone.

“Huh,” Mia mused, “maybe someone took it.”

They all shrugged. Once they entered the loft, and the door was locked, Mia looked at her phone—a quarter to twelve. Aurelio was definitely in the middle of the job; the time wouldonly count down to when she got to see him again. Matty and Mikey fought over blanket space as Melvin settled on the couch.

“Goodnight, guys,” Mia called, slipping out of her jeans and untying the knot in Aurelio’s shirt. She placed her pants and jacket on one of the stools as grumbles of “Goodnight, bug” echoed from the living room. She pulled the little privacy curtain closed and fell into bed.

The next few days went by like a blur to Mia, thankfully. She was distracted from Aurelio’s absence by her brothers. They went around the city, exploring all the sights. They bought two small air mattresses and more blankets. Mia had a blast; she loved having her brothers around. They made her feel safe, the same kind of safe Aurelio made her feel when he was around. They wanted to see her school, so on that Monday morning, when Mia had to return her books and pick up her gown, they eagerly agreed to go. The morning was a bit chaotic; Melvin and Mikey went for a run, and Matty did his “room drills.” Mia couldn’t help but feel very unfit compared to her brothers. When the routines were done, they all dressed quickly, and Mia locked herself in the bathroom despite the boys’ groaning that one bathroom wasn’t enough. Half an hour later, they were in the car, with Mia driving, heading towards her school.

“I have to go deal with the books, and then we can walk around,” she said as they parked. “If you guys want, you can go check out the little cafe in building E. That’s my favorite one. I’ll meet you there in like half an hour.”

They headed in the direction she pointed as Mia went to the library, meeting a few students as she passed. Thankfully, the return process was easy, and the librarian didn’t say anything about the slightly damaged books.

On the way to the cafe, Mia decided to take a quick detour to Professor Soara’s office. But as she approached, she saw a janitor scraping off the name plaque on the door.

“Excuse me? What are you doing?”

“Professor Soara passed away this weekend,” the man said plainly. “She left mid-semester to be with her family during the last of her illness.” He kept working, not even glancing at Mia. “The office is being given to a new teacher, and I have to get it ready.” He stopped for a moment as if realizing how insensitive he sounded. “Sorry, but I have to get it done now, or else I’ll have to come back right after school lets out, and I like to take a vacation.”

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