Just then the doorbell rings. I glance at Janna as I raise my eyebrows.
“It’s Lyric. He said he was going to come hang out after he dropped Melody at home.” She stands up, leaving her cocoa on the table.
I nod at her as she heads for the front door. Curious, I follow her. Hey, if I didn’t, how would I tell you what happened?
I hang back in the archway that leads from the living room into the kitchen, but I have a clear view of the front door, and I’m within earshot.
Janna opens the door and greets Lyric, “Hi.”
Is it possibly true that Janna sounds a little shy? She’s got the sweetest, tiniest smile on her face too. Looking at her now, one would never know what a little lion she can be. She looks soft and sweet and safe. She’s gazing up at Lyric with delight in her eyes.
Lyric grins down at her, showing off that boxy smile of his. “Hey, there!” He just stands beaming down at her while she returns the favor.
I’m wondering how long they’re going to continue letting cold air into the house. Finally, Janna awakes from her reverie when Lyric prompts her, “Can I come in?”
“Oh! Yeah.”
She steps back and walks towards the couch. She sits down. He seats himself next to her. They both sit awkwardly next to each other. Privately, I’m hoping this awkwardness lasts for a good, long time. I rush back to the kitchen to make another cup of hot cocoa, making sure I add extra powder this time. Wouldn’t want to ruin Lyric’s cup of cocoa, now would we? I’d never hear the end of it from my only daughter. I put the cups on a tray with a bowl of marshmallows and head for the living room.
“Hot cocoa delivery,” I announce as I enter the room. “I bet all that dancing made you both thirsty.”
They’re sitting in the same spots, still staring off into space, neither speaking. Is it even possible that I see relief cross both of their faces at the sound of my voice?
“Thanks, Mom,” Janna responds, reaching for her cup of cocoa after I set the tray on the table.
I gesture towards the other cup. “Lyric, that one’s for you. I didn’t know if you like marshmallows, so I put some in a bowl. Help yourself.”
I watch in some amusement as he picks up the bowl, and after a curt question to Janna – “Do you want some?” – and her response – shaking her head – Lyric dumps the entire bowl of marshmallows into his cup. They pile up on top of the pool of hot cocoa. A marshmallow mountain soon forms, and three of the white barrels go rolling down the sides of that mountain before falling onto the tray. Lyric scoops them up, popping all three into his mouth before taking a long draught of his hot chocolate. I see four more marshmallows sliding off the mountain as he tips his cup towards his mouth. I can’t help grinning. The boy clearly loves marshmallows! The four escapees free fall until they come in contact with his shirt. Then they roll down his chest to deposit themselves in his lap.
Janna can’t take it anymore. She starts laughing. “Lyric, you’re like a little kid!” She reaches out and grabs a marshmallow off his leg. “Open up!”
She holds the marshmallow up to his mouth. Suddenly, he’s baring those pretty, white teeth of his at her, then his jaw drops to allow the marshmallow entrance. She tosses it inside his mouth as she laughs. She repeats the process three more times. Each marshmallow is hurled towards that open mouth. Two are safely admitted. But the last one bounces off his bottom lip and falls to the floor. Janna and Lyric look at each other, and they both laugh. I smile. They’re too cute together.
My mind wanders to the kitchen where Kookie and Emmie now sit alone nursing their cocoa. I wonder if they’re talking to each other or simply staring off into space, content to sit beside the other. Yet still uncertain what to say to one another.
I am surrounded by first love. The air so thick with it. It’s beautiful yet awkward. It’s poignant but hilarious. It’s touching and painful. It’s unexpected and amazing. I’m hoping that for both of my kids it will be mostly fun and safe. That they will each discover the person who will become their best friend for life and their dearest love. The one with whom their hearts will be secure and held dear. Their greatest cheerleader and kindest confidante. One who will cherish their dreams and give them wings to chase them. A safe harbor from the storms of life. That’s what I’m hoping for tonight. For Nana. And for Kookie too.
