The fullness of a clear sky

 “Do you have a minute?”

“When?”

“Right now.”
“Sure.”

“Ok, hang on a sec…”

He ran upstairs to grab the gifts he’d bought: two packs of Kent #4s and a collection of Jim Carrey movies on DVD. Throwing them in a clear plastic folder, he ran down the steps and followed Adilet outside to the driveway.

“I know it’s a couple hours early, but…happy birthday!”

“Wow, thank you!” he said, lighting up. “Ah, Jim Carrey’s good!”

They stood for a moment breathing in the sharp mix of night. “It will be sad to see you go,” Adilet said, his hand to his chest.

“I’ll miss you too.”

He tipped his head and looked up at the glistening drops of light, sprinkled across the sky. One star fell, then another, gracing each cheek before falling into the darkness below.