Gaze Quote by Kristin Rae

““Well, I just wanted to say hi.” Darren blows out his candle and tosses it behind us into the box with the rest of them. “I should head back and finish getting everything together for tomorrow. Are you all ready to go?” “Nearly,” I lie. He grins. “Our first train leaves here around 7:30 in the morning, so I’ll meet you at the mouth of the tunnel,” he says, pointing toward the bottom of the hill, “around ten after. Sound good?” I nod. “Guess I’ll see you in the morning then.” We shift forward slightly, unsure if we’re supposed to hug or go our separate ways. Darren opens his arms and pulls me against him, patting my back several times. I do the same, his sweat-dampened shirt warm to the touch. “ A domani ,” he says as his cheek brushes across my ear. I watch him start down the street, and wave when he’s about twenty steps away. “Don’t forget your camera!” he calls back to me. I wave again and smile. “And the battery charger!” he calls, feet moving him backward down the hill. Laughter escapes my mouth as I continue to wave good-bye. “And memory cards!” I lose sight of him in the darkness, but the smile he brought to my face stays put.””

— Kristin Rae