25

THE NIGHT BEFORE VALENTINE’S DAY, I get it in my head that my card for Peter isn’t enough and
cherry turnovers would be a fantastic idea, so I wake up before the sun rises to bake them fresh, and
now the kitchen looks like a crime scene. Cherry juice splattered all over the countertops and tiles.
It’s a bloodbath, a cherry-juice bloodbath. Worse than the time I made red velvet cake and got red
food coloring in the backsplash tiles. I had to take a toothbrush to the grout.
But my turnovers turn out so perfect, right out of a cartoon, each one so golden and homey, with
their fork-tined edges and the little holes to let out steam. My plan is to bring these to the lunch table; I
know that Peter and Gabe and Darrell will appreciate them. I’ll give one to Lucas, too. And Chris, if
she shows up for school.
I text Peter that I don’t need a ride, because I want to get there early and put the valentine in his
locker. There’s something sweet about a valentine in a locker—when you think about it, a locker is
much like a mailbox, and everyone knows that letters sent in the mail are far more romantic than when
they’re unceremoniously handed over in person.
Kitty comes downstairs around seven, and the two of us set a beautiful Valentine’s table setting for
Daddy, with his valentines from me, Kitty, and Margot arranged around his plate. I leave him two
turnovers. I miss the big reaction because I don’t want to get to school after Peter. He always cuts it
close, so I figure I’m fine being just five minutes early.
When I get to school, I slip the valentine into Peter’s locker, then head to the cafeteria to wait for
him.
But when I walk in, he’s already there, standing by the vending machines with... Genevieve. He
has his hands on her shoulders, and he is talking to her intently. She’s nodding, her eyes downcast.
What could it be, this thing that has her so sad? Or is it just an act, a way to keep Peter close?
Here it is Valentine’s Day and I feel like I’m interrupting my boyfriend and his ex-girlfriend. Is he
really just being a good friend to her, or is it something more? With her I feel like it’s always
something more, whether he knows it or not. Have they exchanged Valentine’s gifts, for old times’
sake? Is that me being paranoid or is that a thing that exes who are still friends do?
She spots me then, says something to Peter, and walks past me and out of the cafeteria. He strides
over to me. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Covey.” He puts his hands on my waist and picks me up for a
hug like I weigh nothing. Setting me down, he says, “Can we kiss in public since it’s a holiday?”
“Where’s my valentine first?” I say, holding my hand out.
Peter laughs. “Damn, it’s in my backpack. Geez. So greedy.” Whatever it is, I can tell he is excited
to give it to me, which in turn excites me. He takes my hand and leads me over to the table where his
backpack is. “First sit down,” he says, and I obey. He sits down next to me. “Close your eyes and
hold out your hand.”
I do, and I hear him unzip his bag, and then he puts something in my hand, a piece of paper. I open
my eyes.
“It’s a poem,” he says. “For you.”

The moon never beams without bringing me dreams