Stars, Here We Come

You know that moment when you realized your life just changed forever? Lucy knew the feeling very well. The day that the black notebook with the planets drawn on them arrived on her doorstep.

Lucy was a young woman from Boise, Idaho. She worked her butt off at a local dinner to pay off her tuition. She was currently enrolled in the astronomy program at her local university. Her biggest dream was to explore the stars. Not necessarily to be up there with them. But only to observe them and their behaviors.

Ever since she was young, she would spend countless nights staring through her telescope. She would spend so much time just looking, one planet, one star at a time. The night sky was her safe haven. Safer than home.

Her father made that home not so safe.

But now, she was twenty-two years old and far away from her previous home of Carson City, Nevada. Nevada felt more like a prison than a home. Her mother never helped with the issues and her father was the one creating them. And Lucy was an only child.

Lucy loved her current life. Her part-time job and full-time school kept her busy. Along with her wonderful boyfriend, Cash. Cash was a fellow student with her. He, however, was an English major. He dreamed of telling the best stories with good old-fashioned paper and pen. Or computer and mouse at least.

As a matter of fact, Lucy and Cash were about to spend their three-year anniversary together. Lucy didn’t know much of Cash’s plans. But all she knew was that she would love it.

As she walked down the street, she found her dorm staring at her soon enough. She lived in a dorm with one other girl. Her roommate, Kesha, was a quiet sort who mostly kept to herself. She did sometimes enjoy conversation with Lucy. But it was a rarity. But that was okay. Lucy loved her all the same.

She walked in the door and immediately went to her closet. After a long, eight-hour shift at the dinner, she was ready to change into something fancier. She pulled the doors open to find an assortment of clothes. Shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, and her graduation gown.

Her college graduation was only two weeks away. After six long years of school, she was finally about to get her master’s degree in astronomy. She couldn’t wait. She had even already put in her application to work at NASA. NASA only took on the best. But she knew that with her grades, an internship was just around the corner. The only issue is that NASA is in Florida. And she was in Idaho. And Florida wasn’t exactly a cheap place to live. She would have to get an apartment, pay the gas difference, pay a moving service. Plus, all the student debt she would have to start paying soon. All of it came out to about $18,000. It seemed so much to her.

However, she was not about to let money destroy all of her hopes and dreams. She was too close to her goals. She would figure it out. Even if she would have to take out more loans.

She drew her attention back to her closet and looked through her dresses. She had only a couple of dresses. But this was her three-year anniversary. She had to look fabulous. She scrolled through the four dresses she owned. Her eyes caught on a bright red dress in the corner. It was a red mini dress with no back. She didn’t even remember ever wearing it before. But she saw it and just knew this was the one. It had the embodiment of sexy and confidence. She pulled it off the hanger and walked in front of her mirror.

Seeing herself in such a dress got her feeling some type of way. She had always been such a nerd in front of Cash. But she felt somehow that today was special. She didn’t know how or why. She just did. She had had multiple anniversaries before. So, how was this one any different?

Either way, the moment she stepped into the dress, she felt like Cinderella. Only sexier. The red really complemented her red hair and brown eyes. Her skin looked like diamonds in this dress. Her reflection showed a girl that didn’t usually look like this. Normally, she was in jeans and a sweatshirt. The perfect look for an astronomy major. But tonight, she would be the most beautiful girl Cash had ever seen.

Lucy stepped out of her dorm, greeting the cold breeze that gave her goosebumps. It didn’t help that she was wearing a very small dress with only a jacket to warm her up. She absentmindedly turned around to lock her dorm, hardly looking at the lock. But once she locked it, something caught her eye. A blue sticky note was on her front door. She hadn’t even noticed it before.

It said, “Look in your mailbox.”

She was a little weary going there. Maybe it was a surprise from Cash. Or maybe one of her school friends playing a prank on her. Either way, she made her way to her mailbox before heading to her car. Once she got there, she unlocked it. She was curious at first about what she saw. But she was confused all the same. It was a little black notebook. She pulled it out of the mailbox to get a better look. It was a shiny black book with planets on the front.

Someone definitely knew she liked space.

She started flipping through the pages until she found a small envelope inside. Nothing was written on it. She opened the envelope. She gasped and nearly dropped everything. There was a bunch of cash in the envelope. And there was more cash than she’d ever seen in her life. She took it to her car, then counted it all. It was all in $100 bills. After a few minutes, she had finished counting it. It was $20,000. How could anyone give that to her? Why would anyone give that to her? Lucy wasn’t going to complain, but she was more confused than ever.

It was more than enough to pay for her expenses in Florida. Did someone give her the money for Florida? And if so, who?

She finally noticed the time and started the car. She put the envelope back into the notebook and put the book in her glovebox. She then locked it just to be extra safe. As she was driving to the restaurant, she couldn’t help but think about the book.

Who gave it to her? Why did they give it to her? What does this all mean?

All this thinking was giving her a headache.

Lucy finally arrived at the restaurant and couldn’t believe the restaurant Cash picked. It was one of the nicest restaurants in Idaho. It had crystal chandeliers and marble columns. There were romantic lighting and red tablecloths. She got out of the car and walked slowly up to the doors. She had never been here before. But her roommate had. She said it was the best food she had ever tasted. Lucy couldn’t wait to try it.

Cash was already waiting for her at the front. He hadn’t even checked in yet. Lucy flashed him the biggest smile. And she was very glad she wore such a nice dress. He was in a black and white suit. The outfit complimented his brown hair perfectly. He had it slicked back and his blue eyes shined in the lights of the restaurant.

Cash came forward and kissed her on the hand. Lucy blushed at the gesture.

“You look so beautiful, Lucy.” Cash was almost stumbling on his words. “Like, I’m not just exaggerating. You are the most stunning sight I have ever seen.”

Lucy could only blush. “Thank you, Cash. You look amazing too.”

She accepted his arm as they walked into the restaurant together. The hostess greeted them inside the restaurant. She smiled and was already showing them to their table. Lucy was a little shocked that the hostess didn’t even have to say a word. But Lucy just assumed Cash had already talked to her. They kept walking until they entered a private dining area. There was only one table in there. It was big enough to fit five people. But it was still small enough to make it look like it was meant for only two.

Cash pulled out her chair and glided her to the table. He sat across from her.

“This is amazing, Cash. I’ve never seen a place like this.” Lucy couldn’t help but keep staring at the chandeliers.

Cash chuckled. “Well, it’s our three-year anniversary. I had to make it special. Only the best for the best girl.”

Lucy just kept blushing. She was used to the constant compliments. But today, she really soaked it in. “Thank you, Cash.”

He smiled. “You’re welcome, Lucy. How has your day been? Anything exciting happen?”

Lucy thought for a moment. “Nothing super out of the ordinary.” But then she remembered. “Oh, actually. I got something really extraordinary in my mailbox.”

Cash’s eyes widened. “Really? What was it?”

“You’re not going to believe this but,” she leaned in to whisper. “it was a little black notebook with $20,000 in it.”

Cash’s eyes widened even more. It seemed like he was needing just as much time as she did, if not more, to comprehend it. “Wow. Who do you think gave it to you?”

“That’s the problem. I don’t know.” She rested her chin on her hand, thinking. “I guess maybe I’ll never know.”

The waitress came and took their drink order. And before she could leave, Cash ordered their food as well. Lucy was always amazed at how well he knew her. He ordered just the right food. Cheese pasta with chicken. But she had heard that this pasta was the best in the state.

The night progressed on. The drinks came quickly. There wasn’t much small talk between Cash and Lucy. It was almost as if Cash was nervous about something. The food also came quickly. And she was right. It was the best pasta she had ever had. She couldn’t help but make so many yum noises throughout their meal.

Once they were done, she noticed Cash looking even more nervous. She just kept looking at him, trying to figure out what was up.

Then, Cash finally spoke. “Lucy, my love. I have loved you since the moment I laid my eyes on you. You have been my motivation and my cheerleader. You have been my light and my love. And I can’t imagine life going on without you. If I didn’t have you, all the start may as well just burn out.”

Lucy was soaking all of it in. He had sweet talked her before. But nothing like this. This was different.

“And Lucy,” he took a deep breath before getting out of his chair. “I can’t imagine life without you. And” he kneeled down before her.

Lucy’s eyes widened; her breath bated.

“With that being said.” Cash took out a small, black box. He opened it to reveal the most beautiful gem. “Lucy, will you marry me?”

Lucy could hardly catch her breath. At first, she couldn’t speak. She could only nod her head. But finally, her mouth caught up with her head. “Yes. Yes! Absolutely, I will marry you.”

Cash smiled really big then stood up. He swooped her out of her chair and spun her in circles. Lucy squealed and Cash just kept saying yes over and over again. After they stopped spinning, he placed the ring onto her finger.

It was the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. It was a purple gem that shone with the light. But her favorite part was the band. It was silver, but it had the solar system engraved in the metal. It was absolutely perfect. She kissed him over and over again. Until they finally sat down. For a good few moments, they could only stare at each other.

Until Cash finally perked up and said, “I actually have one more surprise for you.”

Lucy just looked at him. “Really? How could it get any better than this?”

But another man entered the room. She smiled at him. It was Cash’s father, Raymond. Raymond came and sat next to Cash.

“Hello, Lucy.” Raymond sent her his best smile.

“Hello, sir. Good to see you again.” Lucy’s nerves were on fire. She wasn’t quite sure what he was doing here.

Raymond spoke first. “Did you like the notebook I gave you?”

Lucy’s eyes widened. “So, it was from you. But… the money inside. Why $20,000?”

Raymond could only chuckle. “Cash told me you were going to be my daughter-in-law. And he told me how much you were worried about affording life in Florida. I have always admired your dreams to study the stars. So, I told Cash I was going to pay for your expenses. Cash told me what you had said about the numbers to live there. And then I figured I’d give you a little extra for you two to find a place in Florida together.”

Lucy’s eyes started to water. She had always liked Cash’s father. But now she really felt the fatherly love that she had never had before. She got up and gave Raymond a hug.

“Thank you so much! How can I ever repay you?”

Raymond pulled away and just smiled. “Just take good care of my son. That is how you can repay me.”

She glanced at her beautiful ring and nodded in agreement. She could already see the future. A life filled with love, kids, and stars. She had the money and the fiancé. And by the time they would be married, she would be at NASA. She could already feel the future and how bright like the stars it was.