Memory Documentation

chapter nine | documenting who has my love

But, of course, this was typical Darcy behavior. To question when something good comes along. His asking to come hang out was as normal as asking a new friend to grab a cup of coffee with you. I took in a deep breath in and out, as if I was inhaling confidence and exhaling anything but.

"Text me the address. I'll be there."

✿❀✿

"This totally blows."

Marissa and I exchanged pitying glances as the boys stared down at the disappointment that was the indoor fireworks kit. It held nothing more than a couple small sparklers and a single stick that lit into high, bright flame like that of a sparking birthday candle. It didn't live up to the promised expectations advertised on the box.

Cooper's head dropped. "What a waste."

"It was your idea to get this stupid thing," Bryson muttered, throwing the empty box onto the floor beside him.

Cooper tossed a glare at his friend. "No, it was my idea to get some cool indoor fireworks to do, not crap indoor fireworks," he retorted.

Philip sighed from where he rested on the couch, head on Marissa's lap. He covered his eyes with his arm and said, "Can't believe you dragged me here for some stupid sparklers."

"But sparklers are pretty, aren't they?" Marissa offered, running a hand through his unruly curls.

"Always." I reached out and took one from the plastic wrapping. "You can't go wrong with some sparklers."

They weren't the most exciting thing in the world, but they were pretty to do all the same. Too bad it didn't satisfy the boys' desire for something more exhilarating. Cooper let out another disappointed sigh and stood. "I'm making hot chocolate. Anyone else want some?"

"Coffee for me or I won't stay awake to ring in the new year tonight," Phil muttered. His eyes still drooped with exhaustion.

The rest of us agreed on hot chocolate, and Marissa rested Phil's head on the couch as she joined us on the floor. "We might as well light these sparklers, right?"

We shut the blinds, trying to block out as much sunshine as we possibly could. It was still early, but the winter morning light was approaching fast. Once we made it as dim as we possibly could, Bryson lit his sparkler first. I touched the tip of mine to his until tendrils of light began its wild dance of life. Marissa lit hers against mine.

They weren't jaw-dropping, but they were mesmerizing. Even with the faint sunlight filtering into Cooper's living room, the small but strong light emitting from the sparklers lit up the faces of everyone in the room. I saw Bryson's grin and the way Phil observed Marissa's awe. Cooper came in bearing drinks and he, too, smiled at the sight.

"We should've just gotten a load of sparklers instead of this whole kit," he said rather woefully, setting the mugs down on the table.

Bryson shrugged as the sparklers died much too quickly. "Lesson learned. Maybe I'll see if I can get some before I head to my mom's tonight. The kids will like it, I'm sure."

"My family will make due with last year's noisemakers and hats. Dressing up and being hella loud is their idea of a good time," Cooper laughed.

"Will you and your dad be coming to celebrate with us tonight?" Marissa asked Philip as she joined him back on the couch. He nodded, brushing back a piece of her red hair.

Cooper added a heavy heaping of whipped cream to his drink. "Your mom working at the hospital tonight then?"

"Yes, she is," he answered. He looked at me. The others followed. "What about you?"