“A plane?” I interrupted.
I looked up at Rune. “A plane?” I repeated.
He curtly nodded his head once, but didn’t explain any further.
Mama placed her hand on my arm “I asked your specialist and he said,”—she cleared her throat—“he said, at this point in your illness, if you want to go, then you should go.” I heard the underlying current of her words.Go before it got too late to travel anywhere.
“I want to go,” I said with unwavering certainty, gripping onto Rune’s waist. I wanted him to know I wanted this. I glanced up at him; he met my eyes. Smiling, I said, “I’m with you.”
Rune, surprising me, but at the same time not surprising me at all, kissed me. Kissed me hard and quick right in front of my family. Rune broke free from me and moved next to my aunt. Beside DeeDee there was a suitcase. Without another word, he took the suitcase to the car.
My heart was beating a staccato rhythm of excitement.
Daddy squeezed my hand. His touch brought me back to his worry, his fear. “Poppy,” he said sternly.
Before he could say any more, I leaned forward and kissed him on his cheek. I looked him in the eye. “Daddy, I understand the risks. I’ve been fighting this a long time. I know you’re worried. I know you don’t want me to be hurt. But staying trapped in my room like a caged bird for one more day … that is what will hurt me. I’ve never been one to stay inside. I want this, Daddy. Ineedthis.” I shook my head, feeling a sheer sheen of water fill my eyes. “I can’t spend whatever time I have left locked away for fear it’ll make me worse. I need to live … I need this adventure.”
He sucked in a stuttering breath. But, eventually, he nodded his head. A light dizziness flooded through me. I was going!
Jumping on the spot, I wrapped my arms around my daddy’s neck. He hugged me back.
I kissed my mama then looked to my aunt. She had her hand held out. I took hold of it, just as my daddy said, “I’m trusting you to look after her, DeeDee.”
My aunt sighed. “You know this girl is my heart, James. You think I’d let anything happen to her?”
“And they stay in separate rooms!”
I simply rolled my eyes at that.
My daddy began talking to my aunt. But I didn’t hear it. I didn’t hear anything as my gaze went through the open door, and down to the boy dressed all in black who was leaning against the railing of our porch. The boy in a leather jacket who was casually bringing a cigarette to his mouth, all the time watching me. His crystal-blue eyes not once straying from mine.
Rune blew out a cloud of smoke. Casually tossing the butt to the ground, he flicked his chin and held out his hand.
Releasing Aunt DeeDee’s hand, I closed my eyes for a brief moment, committing to memory how he looked, right at this moment.
My Norwegian bad boy.
My heart.
Opening my eyes, I rushed through the door. Reaching the top step, I then jumped into Rune’s open arms. He enveloped me in his embrace. I giggled, feeling the breeze on my face. Holding me tightly, my feet still off the ground, Rune asked, “You ready for that adventure,Poppymin?”
“Yes,” I replied breathlessly.
Rune pressed his forehead to mine and closed his eyes. “I love you,” he whispered after a long pause.
“I love you too,” I said, just as quietly.
I was rewarded with a rare smile.
He carefully lowered me to the ground, took my hand and asked again, “You ready?”
I nodded, then turned to my parents, who were standing on the porch. I waved goodbye.
“Come on, kids,” said DeeDee. “We got a flight to catch.”
Rune led me to the car, holding my hand as always. As we settled in the backseat, I looked out the window as we pulled away. I stared up at the clouds, knowing that soon I’d be soaring above them.
On an adventure.