For Sylvian, it was just another Saturday. He got out of bed, opened his curtains, and let the sunshine shine in the room. The clock read 9 a.m. He released a soft sigh, and already began to think about crawling beneath the covers again.
Then a knock at the door arrived. He opened the door and there was the nanny, standing patiently.
"I have a gift for you, dear. Also, your aunt will come by around noon so consider yourself prepared."
Sylvian blinked and felt a mess of emotion in his stomach, a combination of struggle and resignation. His aunt said she would come over weeks ago, three days after his parents left, but never showed up. But better late than never!
He made his way down the stairs and on the table was a box. The gift was from his aunt, the books he had asked to borrow a few months ago. Finally the books came, after all this time, and almost as an afterthought. He sighed again, but took the books upstairs to his room and arranged them on his shelf.
Not long after, breakfast was made. Sylvian usually just skipped meals, but he was having breakfast with the nanny, instead. The nanny's kindness made filling.
By noon, Sylvian's aunt had arrived. She entered the apartment unannounced.
"Hey, Sugar, Shelby! Here I am!" she exclaimed happily and instantly produced pastries from her large floral satchel.
Sylvian leaned over the balcony. "Wow, you made it; its about time! It has been weeks since you said you would."
"Oh honey," she laughed nervously and rubbed her hands together. "I have been so busy with my photography! But look, I made it! And your birthday is coming up! I wanted to make plans with you."
"Isn't mom and dad coming back for my birthday?" Sylvian asked.
She looked at him with genuine concern. "No dear... they are still overseas very busy, but that is ok... I am going to stay with you this time. No late night surprise visits, this time no silly gifts. Just you and I having fun, okay?"
Sylvian looked at the calendar hanging on the wall. "But... my birthday is still four weeks away."
His aunt was clasping him in a bear hug and seemingly shaking him to death with excitement. ""Four weeks?? That's nothing! And you'll be basically eighteen then! Puberty! Adulthood! Ohhhh! I can't believe my little nephew is growing up!"
He was sighing to himself at that moment. Classic aunt was what he thought he never said (out loud). That evening, he had dinner with his aunt and the nanny, another one-and-done, once-a-lifetime dinner with family. Things he was asking himself the entire time, was, why can't Mom and Dad come?
When he finally settled into bed, he sent out a short text to his parents:
"Aunt came today. We had dinner and fun. But ... can you explain why you can't come for my birthday in four weeks? Love you."
He put his phone down and dove into bed. In the stillness, he was wishing he had a friend to celebrate on his birthday. And, stupidly, the only face he kept seeing over and over again was Akiel. Exasperated, he thrust his face into a pile of pillows and allowed sleep to take him.
The next morning it was Sunday, and Sylvian first thought to check his phone. His father had written back in the night--a long message explaining that they had a business issue that would keep them away for a month. They were very sorry to miss his 18th birthday, but they would send gifts and money.
Sylvian let out a long breath. At least there was an explanation. That did not take away any sting, but at least there was a reason.
He did not waste any time, and immediately sat down to complete homework, finishing everything by noon. He had completely the entire day free! The only thing he had to do was wonder around the house doing nothing, talking to the nanny for a few minutes, and then he decided to check on his aunt.
She was in her room putting on her make-up.
"They explained everything," Sylvian said quietly to her.
She looked at him smiling in the mirror. "I won't let you feel alone. I will throw you a great birthday party, lots of people, to celebrate you."
He, considered the idea of somebody receiving the same song from 3 strangers to be amusing, although the effort still made him feel warm inside. He strained for a small smile. "Thanks Auntie. It.... means a lot."
He went out a walk on that afternoon. He ran into a bubble tea joint, he was intrigued by the pastel packaing and the soothing music. He had never been a big fan of strawberry, but when he ordered it, he sipped it as he lazily meandered down the sun soaked fences above the road. It felt good; felt as if the world was actually not asking anything from him.
As that evening went on, Sylvian helped his aunt back into their house. He helped carry in the groceries too. Dinner was simple; opened takeout containers on the kitchen table. It felt like they were now family, even if it wasn't meant to be.
After dinner, they watched a movie together; a type of movie he did not like personally, but he was staying regardless. When the credits passed by, the drowsiness lingered and weighed down his eyes. He said goodnight, set his alarm for six o'clock, and laid down in bed.
Across the city, in a modern apartment, Akiel stared at the familiar face looking back at him in the bathroom mirror. The mask that was once unblemished was now cracked and marred. He sighed deeply, picked up a razor blade, then tossed it into the trash. Then he crawled into the king sized bed and just before succumbing to sleep, he felt the corners of his mouth pull into the barest hint of a smirk.
Tomorrow. I can tease him again tomorrow.
And as the day turned to night, the boys sunk into sleep in their respective worlds - one heavy with desire and the other full of secrets - decidedly moving closer to each other, by the minute.