Find You in the Dark

teenagers have sex. I've seen you with Clayton. I know sexual chemistry when I see it. Your dad and I had plenty of it when we first got together.” I made a gagging noise. “Yuck, mom. Are your trying to kill me here?”
    My mother rubbed my cheek with her finger. “Just don't do anything stupid and I will try and trust you. Just don't make me regret it.” Her words echoed ominously in my ears. Why did I feel a twinge of premonition at her words?
    I straightened my spine and gave her my best smile. “I won't. Now, I'm just going to go take a drive. Maybe stop by and see Daniel or something.” “Okay, but take your cell phone and don't be home any later than 9:30. It's a school night.” I grabbed my purse and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “I'll be home soon. Love you.”
    I hurried to my car and got in. After driving around for ten minutes listening to my angsty indie rock at full volume, I ended up where I should have figured I was headed; Clay's house.
    I knocked lightly on the door. I was startled when Clay's aunt Ruby swung it open. “Maggie!” She said brightly, pulling me into a lavender scented hug. She was dressed in her normal gypsy/hippie wardrobe, with a patch work sheer blouse with bell sleeves and a long, leaf patterned skirt that hung over her bare feet. Her bright red hair hung loose and her green eyes sparkled. She was one of the most sincerely kind people I had ever met, and I loved her for loving Clay so much.
    “Come in, honey.” She closed the door behind me and ushered me into the living room. Ruby's girlfriend, Lisa, sat at the computer, a pair of black glasses perched on her straight and severe nose. Lisa was what you would call “butch.” She had short black hair and dressed very masculine. She was a little intimidating if you didn't know her. But the smile she gave me as I came in transformed her face into something lovely.
    “We didn't know you were coming over, Maggie. Nice to see you.” Lisa's rough voice said. I smiled back and dropped my purse on the armchair. “I was just out for a drive and wanted to come and see Clay.” Ruby squeezed my shoulder. “Didn't he just leave your house an hour ago?” She teased. I laughed. “Yeah.” I said shyly.
    Lisa chuckled. “Ahh, young love. Remember what that was like, Ruby?” Ruby crossed the room and leaned down to give her girlfriend a loving kiss on the mouth. “I still do, Lis.” She murmured in her ear.
    They were so sweet together. Their love for one another apparent. Ruby straightened up. “Can I get you some tea? I've made some delicious raspberry wheat germ that is wonderful for cleansing your aura.” Lisa shook her head at me from behind Ruby's back. “No!” She mouthed, letting me know not to take Ruby up on the offer.
    I tried not to giggle. “Um, I'm fine Ruby. I think I'll just head up to Clay's room if that's okay.” Ruby waved her hand. “Go ahead. Just follow the depressing goth rock.” She laughed. I gave her another hug before going upstairs. I loved how laid back she and Lisa were. No stupid rules about girls in Clay's room and they sure as hell didn't care if we were in there with the door closed. It was nice to be treated like an adult.
    I could hear Thirty Seconds to Mars blaring from the room at the end of the hall. Clay listened to his music at an ear splitting volume. How he hadn't gone deaf was beyond me. I was eager to see him, make sure he was cool after the episode at my house. Mostly I just needed to kiss him and touch him.
    I pushed opened his bedroom door, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. The only light came from his dim table lamp. I could make out Clay over at his desk, his back to me.
    He had no idea I was standing there. Not that he could hear anything with the music reverberating around him. I could see he was hunched over, his head down. Looking around his room, it was so Clay. Stark, not revealing much about his personality. Basic gray walls and dark blue comforter on his bed. Television on an oak dresser. No photographs or knick knacks that would help someone know the person he was.
    But there, on the other side of the room, tucked away from everything else, was a little strip of wall above his desk that was literally covered with sheets of paper. I knew they showed different pictures Clay had drawn. Some in pencil, others in ink, some in charcoal. Depictions of animals, or random bridges. Some were things as small as a tiny flower, others were people he saw in