Chapter 22
Remy
The sun was going down the horizon, the last threads of light painted the sky in purple and pink.
Remy waited for Julie outside her home. She told him she wouldn't take long.
He'd been there fifteen minutes.
When she finally opened the door, he knew the wait was worth it.
She wore a white top and black leggings, with a thin, multicolored scarf and sneakers.
It was a super casual outfit, and she totally rocked it. He couldn't believe how he got to have her as his girl. Damn lucky.
"Sorry for taking so long!" She said as she hopped in his black Porsche and kissed him hello. Pretty damn lucky.
"Don't worry about it."
"I was on the phone with my mom, she wouldn't let me go."
"Everything okay?"
It took her a moment to answer
"Yeah, sure," she said with a smile, "where are we going?"
"You'll have to wait and see."
"Come on! I can't wait any longer."
She almost got him to say it. He couldn't resist her at all. He turned to her and she must have seen his suffering because she smiled and put a finger on his lips.
"Okay Mystery Man, I'll wait."
He pressed on the accelerator before he ruined the surprise.
***
Night came before they reached their destination. She promised to close her eyes five blocks back so she wouldn't see what he had in store for her.
He got out of his car and opened her door, then took her hand and guided her slowly, so she wouldn't fall.
"It's chilly in here… and I can hear— wait. Are we at the Lake?"
She opened her eyes.
Dozens of boats were docked in the harbor. There was almost no one else around. He didn't like crowded places, so he made sure his boat wasn't near a bar or restaurant. It was a weeknight, after all, so it was especially deserted.
"What are we doing here?"
"We're going on a boat ride."
"Are you sure they are still open?"
Not at this hour, no.
She opened her mouth, "Remy, I don't want to steal—"
He laughed out loud, walking beside her.
"Don't worry, honey, we're using our boat."
She smiled wide, "you have one?"
"Yeah, it's not too big, but I like it."
He turned left and pointed at it. The Ragged Edge
"Are you kidding me? You own a yacht?"
"I got it for cheap."
"You got this for cheap?"
He shrugged then hopped into the deck and lowered the bridge, raising his hand to her so she wouldn't fall.
The Ragged Edge wasn't huge, but it was cool and big enough for him and Mark to host one or two parties away from the city.
He'd thought of selling it —he didn't use it as often as he would have liked— but going out to the water on nights like this. And the smell… just like freedom.
In the end, he knew he wouldn't sell it, ever.
He guided her to the bridge, started the engine and sailed away into the darkness. He was used to this. Other boats floated in the distance, probably partying college kids but they were too far, they were alone.
"It's so beautiful," she said, and he knew what she was referring at.
The city. The Chicago skyline was a beautiful sight, glowing in the distance like a fire amidst the dark. Its orange gleam, coupled with the starry sky staring at them from above and the soft sound of the waves felt like something straight out of an old movie.
He enjoyed coming here by himself, but work had been tough lately and he hadn't had the chance.
"Do you want to steer it?"
He stepped aside.
"That's the throttle, and here's the wheel, captain."
"Where should I go?"
"Anywhere you like."
So she did. He thought she'd take a bit more time to learn the controls but after five minutes, she was going full throttle, softly swaying the boat away from the docks. The city glow was much dimmer here. They were surrounded by darkness and the sound of water.
They stopped in the middle of the lake, far away from the harbor. Julie took a deep breath and stood up.
"I love the air out here," she said, "it smells like freedom."
He froze. It was like she could read his mind.—
"Want to see the stars?" She asked.
"Sure," he said, grabbing a blanket from a small closet behind them.
She held his arm and they walked to the bow, where they laid down and stared up, to the night sky, in silence.
They held each other for a long time, there was no need for words. The open sky welcomed them, a billion stars shone brightly just for them.
It was a long time since he felt like this, it was incredible, how much just being with someone you truly care about can change the way you look at things.
The touch of her skin didn't just warm him, it made him feel alive, truly alive, for the first time in his life. This was all new. He now knew how different he was after he met her. How the world felt suddenly different, brighter, happier. How the good, in the end, outweighed the bad. No question about it.
Her happiness meant everything to him. He was ready to accept everything about her, good and bad, and try to be the best person he could be for this to work.
They held hands, the cold night air was held back by the warmth of her bodies, so close together beneath the blanket.
A shooting star flashed brightly in the sky. It was just for a second or two but it was enough for her to squeeze his hand tight.
"Did you see that?" She asked.
"Yeah, it was awesome."
"Make a wish."
"You first."
She closed her eyes, and after a few seconds she opened them again.
"Done."
"What did you wish for?"
She giggled, "If I tell you it won't come true."
"Come on, tell me."
"You know I can't, that's the rules. Now you go."
He couldn't think of anything else he wanted in life. He'd wish for them to stay together forever but then he thought of something else.
He wished for her to be happy. All her life. He wanted her free of troubles, a life she could look back on and be grateful, happy.
"Done."
"What did you wish for?"
He laughed and stared at her, surprised.
"Come on, tell me!" She said with a laugh, and he just kissed her.
Right then, he knew being by her side was more than enough for him to be happy.
He hoped he could be the one who was there for her forever, to hold her when she was drunk, help her wash the dishes after dinner, or just watch a movie on a cold winter evening.
He didn't need anything else.
His life was complete.