They are walking home from a midnight movie at the Avon. 'I'm going to miss you,' Cal says a few nights before Elijah is scheduled to leave. 'Sweetheart, laundry hangs out.') Now he's being sent to Italy for nine days. At first, his parents weren't too thrilled about the idea. At the end of most parties, they can be found woozily collecting cans and bottles for the recycling bin.Įlijah had planned to spend the summer hanging out with Cal and their other friends in Providence. He playfully disapproves of her random boyfriends and girlfriends, and gives her flowers for no reason. She tousles his blond-brown hair and buys him blue sunglasses. 'You're a relic, not a saint,' Cal will continue, dragging him to the next party, parties called gatherings, dances called raves. He'll be offered the last slice of pizza, or the last hit from the bong. Most people are impressed, whether consciously or not. Some people (like his brother) can't handle it. 'You're such a relic,' Cal will taunt him playfully.Įlijah learned quickly that saying thank you garners a variety of reactions. I think she wants to know if I want to go to Italy with my brother.'Įlijah always says thank you, and oftentimes says please.

Elijah's boarding school frowns on having overnight guests, but Elijah doesn't really care if it frowns.Įlijah covers the receiver and whispers to Cal, 'It's my mom. 'Will you go?'Įlijah doubts highly that Danny wants him to go.Įlijah still doubts that Danny wants him to go.Ĭal is awake now, rubbing her eyes. Cal starts hitting his sneaker like it's a snooze button. He thinks his brother has won a prize on a game show or something. His mother is talking about Italy and Elijah's brother Danny and luxury accommodations.

'Good, because I have some great news for you.' 'No, no,' he says, disguising his own voice to sound awake. 'Oh goodness, did I wake you?' Elijah's mother asks, her voice so much louder than the dream he'd been having. Elijah picks up the phone and murmurs a greeting. Who can be calling him at eleven in the morning on a Saturday? Cal, his best friend, stirs from somewhere on the floor. Elijah looks at the blur of his clock as he reaches for the sound.

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