All Things Lost (22 page)

     "I can't believe this," I said, trying my hardest not to cry. "You knew about this?" I asked Novak.

     "I was in on it," he confirmed.

     "I knew you wouldn't forget milk," I blurted out and everyone laughed.

     "It's going to be a night of surprises," Adam said with a broad grin, "this is just the beginning." He pulled a walkie-talkie off his belt and spoke into it, "Ready."

     "What's going on?" I asked.

     A car horn sounded from in front of the house in answer to my question.

     "I believe that's for you," Adam said.

     "Is it...?"

     "Go see."

     I took off in a full out run for the front door, the rest of the crowd close behind me. I threw open the front door and vaulted over the railing. There, sitting on the hood of a car in the driveway, was Mom. The tears I had been holding back burst out as I scooped her up in a big hug. It had only been a month since I'd seen her last at my graduation but it meant so much for her to be here.

     "You didn't think I'd miss my baby's 18th birthday, did you?" she asked.

     "I'm not a baby," I sniffled.

     "No, I guess you're not. I'm sorry I couldn't wrap your present."

     "Like I care," I said, "I'm just glad you're here."

     Mom glanced over at Adam. "He seems a little thick. Is it just me or has he been like this for long?"

     "Ever since he graduated," Adam quipped, "He got out of school and his brain went on vacation."

     "What's going on?" I asked.

     "Should we tell him?" Mom teased.

     "Tell me what?"

     "You tell him Meg," Adam suggested.

     "No, why don't you tell him. It was your idea after all."

     "You're his mother, you should tell him."

     "Somebody tell me!"

     "Ok, let's tell him together. One, two,
three
..."

     "The car is yours!"

     My mouth fell open as I took in the car for the first time really. It was a brand new Mustang; black and sleek, with chrome hubcaps and personalized plates that read KILLIAN.

     "You're kidding," I said numbly.

     "Nope, it's all yours," Mom said. She jangled the keys in front of my nose and took them reverently.

     "Oh my God," I whispered.

     "A step up from your bug, huh, Kill?" Kane called from the porch, "Can I borrow it tomorrow night for a date?"

     Everyone laughed.

     "Can I take it for a test drive?" I asked.

     "Can you save it for later?" Adam suggested. "I realize this probably stole the show, but you do have other gifts waiting inside."

     I tore my gaze away from the car and threw my arms around Mom, picking her up and swirling her around. I dropped her giggling back onto her feet and grabbed Adam. He proved to be a bit heavier so I didn't pull off the twirling trick, but he returned my hug with enthusiasm.

     "Thank you both so much," I said a bit shakily.

     "Ok, let's go back inside before this turns into a sob fest," Adam said.

     We all filed back into the living room where they sat me in a chair they had decorated with streamers. Someone stuck a goofy plastic crown on my head where it promptly slid down over one eye. Someone else snapped a picture before I could take it off and I knew I would live to regret that photo.

     Then they started handing me presents to unwrap. The first one was from Laura and
Gabe
. It was several boxes inside of each other, graduated in size like the Russian nesting boxes. Inside the last one was a book of coupons from the local movie theater.

     Next was a
US
savings bond from
Ilana
and
Lysander
, practical as always. Calvin and Bryant gave me a year's subscription to XY magazine. Kane gave me a box of condoms, causing me to blush furiously, much to his delight, and a club shirt to replace the one he'd ruined a few months ago.

     Judy and Jake had gone together and bought me a stack of CD's. "To listen to in the car," they explained.

     Asher's gift was a delicate silver necklace with a small charm hanging from it in the shape of a question mark.

     "Because you're always trying to answer questions," he said softly.

     "Me next," Steve said. He pointed to an enormous box sitting in the center of the room. I opened it to find a brand new computer. "I thought you might need one of your own," he said.

     "I get the old one, right?" Kane said quickly.

     Will
gave
me an envelope. Inside was a slip of paper he'd printed out on his computer to look like a coupon. It read, "This entitles the bearer to one painting of his choice by the artist Will Keegan."

     "You're going to paint again?"  I asked him with excitement.

     "Yeah, I've decided it's time," he said simply.

     "Is that everyone?" Adam asked.

     "No,
here's
mine," Novak said as he handed me a small box wrapped in plain brown paper. "I'm not much of fancy wrapper," he apologized.

     "It's what's inside
that counts
," I told him. The box was full of business cards. I looked up at him in confusion.

     "Take one out," he said.

     I pulled one out and read it as a grin spread across my face. They were printed with my name and under that the words Investigative Assistant, Novak Investigations.

     "Oh wow," I breathed, "I've never had my own business cards." Everyone wanted one so I handed them around.

     "Ok, last one," Adam said, "It's from me."

     "But you and Mom already gave me the car," I protested as he gave me a small flat box.

     "Just open it."

     I lifted the lid and pushed aside the tissue paper. Nestled in a bed of cotton was an antique silver magnifying glass. I looked up at Adam, a blank look on my face.

     "If you're going to run around pretending to be Sherlock Holmes you should at least have the right equipment," he said with a slightly crooked smile.

     And then I understood. It was his way of saying he was accepting my decision to be a private investigator. Out of all the incredible gifts I had received that evening, I think that was the most meaningful.

     Everyone stayed for a huge dinner. Steve cooked his famous chicken wings on the barbecue grill using his secret sauce. In addition we had two bushels of steamed crabs, corn on the cob, potato salad, and of course, birthday cake.

     After dinner, as the sun set and the bugs came out in full force, citronella torches were lit and a few people began to leave. Will was the first, saying he wanted to get home to
Darin
, followed closely by
Ilana
and
Lysander
and Calvin and Bryant.

     The evening began to take on a more intimate feel as the group grew smaller. The music was changed to a smooth jazz that set the tone for quiet conversation. Kane and Jake disappeared into the house, probably to play video games. Novak and Judy were deep in conversation and Mom and Asher were chatting. I noticed Adam and Steve slip off in the direction of the beach, their heads bent in towards one another as if they were talking seriously.

     I was still watching them when Mom sat down beside me.

     "You really cleaned up tonight, kiddo," she said.

     "I can't believe you and Adam bought me a car."

     "Believe it. I can show you the payments if you need more proof. I was surprised that Steve bought you a computer, that's not a cheap gift."

     "He has a lot of money," I said.

     "So I gathered. So, you're set in being a detective, huh?"

     "Yeah, it's what I really want to do." We'd only had one other discussion about this on the phone and she hadn't been very happy about it then so I was expecting a bit of an argument.

     She sighed. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised, not after what happened after Seth," she said in a resigned voice. "I can't say it's exactly what I would have chosen for you if I'd been given a choice in the matter, but it's not my decision to make. You're an adult now. My baby's all grown up. I'm very proud of you, Killian. If
you 're
sure this is what you want to do then I'll support you 100% percent."

     "That means a lot," I managed to say after I had struggled with my emotions for a few seconds.

     She patted me on the leg. "Just don't go and get yourself killed, ok?"

     I nodded as Novak came across the patio. Mom excused herself and went over to talk to Judy.

     "Well, kid, it's a hell of a nice family you've got here, but I have to get going. I'll see you in the morning."

     "Thanks for coming," I told him.

     
"My pleasure."

     I looked around and saw Asher sitting cross-legged on the sand, looking lost and alone. I went over and sat down next to him.

     "Thanks for coming tonight, Ash," I said softly.

     "It's your birthday," he said, as if that said it all.

     "The necklace is beautiful," I told him.

     He stared out over the ocean for awhile without saying a word,
then
finally said, "I had planned on giving you a ring tonight, before everything happened."

     
"A ring?
I...oh."
I didn't know what to say.

     "What happened with us?" he asked the ocean.

     "I don't know," I said truthfully. "I've been thinking about that a lot lately."

     "I miss you," his voice was almost a whisper.

     "I miss you too."

     We sat quietly for a few seconds then I said, "What do we do now?"

     "Do?" He shrugged. "What is there to do?"

     "Do we try again?"

     "What would be the point? Nothing has changed. I don't want things to just be like they were before. Obviously something was wrong. I think we'd better figure out what that was before we try anything again."

     "How do we figure it out? Maybe it was just me. Tell me what I need to change and I'll change."

     "It was both of us, Killian. Maybe we shouldn't try again at all."

     "Asher, I love you."

     "Maybe that isn't enough." He jumped to his feet. "I should go."

     "Asher, wait!"

     "I need more time, Killian," he said desperately, "I'm just not ready for this." He turned and ran around the corner of the house.

     I flopped back onto the ground and squeezed my eyes shut as hot tears spilled down my cheeks. I hoped Adam and Steve's talk was going better than mine had.

Chapter 13

     I must have fallen asleep on the ground because the next thing I knew someone was gently shaking me awake. I sat up with a start to find Adam bending over me.

     “Too much partying?” he asked jokingly.

     “How long was I asleep?” I asked.

     “I don't know. Steve and I just got back and we found you passed out on the ground.”

     “I wasn't passed out, I just dozed off. Where'd Steve now?”

     “Your mom and he went inside to start cleaning up.”

     “Did you guys have a good talk?”

     “Well aren't you full of questions. You wouldn't be fishing for information, now would you?”

     “Yes.”

     He laughed. “Yes, we had a good talk.”

     “So things are ok now?”

     Adam gave up on trying on my feet and sat down next to me. “Yeah, I think things are ok now,” he said. “We had a lot of things to talk about. Most of it was things that should have been said a long time ago. Some of it was just a matter of misunderstandings or pent up feelings that we've been avoiding. Communication is so important, Killian. I hope you can learn that now; it'll make things easier for you down the road. If you can't talk to each other you don't have much hope.”