Life in the Land Read Free

his breastbone, down his arms, and through his fingers. Slowly, Bobby withdrew his hands from the soil, and he could hardly believe his own eyes as the lines on his palm began to glow, lit up in gold. He turned his hands over to see the same golden color swim under his fingernails.
    “Bobby?” Mike looked thunderstruck, and Bobby couldn’t blame him. He held out his hands, and cautiously, Mike stepped forward, taking hold of one of Bobby’s hands and holding it tight. “You’re glowing.”
    “I think I’m meant to.”
    He found himself with an armful of an ecstatic Mike. “That’s amazing. I knew you’d get there.”
    Bolder than before, Bobby kissed him, and Mike responded, their kiss inexperienced but filled with enthusiasm. As they parted, Bobby could see flickers of gold dance across Mike’s lips, and his heart swelled with happiness knowing he had left them there.
    “Well then, Mr. Hero, show me what you can do!”
    Euphoria engulfed him. Bobby grinned and laughed out loud. He grabbed Mike and dragged him over to a dandelion and pulled him down so they were both kneeling.
    “Don’t get too excited. I’ve seen my dad do something similar, but I’m not sure if this will work.”
    He cupped the yellow dandelion in his glowing hands; the soft petals and velvet stalk tickled him as he cradled it. Drawing on the warmth inside his belly, Bobby sent out a small cloud of golden sparks from his fingertips. The dandelion began to change: its little petals shuddered with excitement as the yellow flower burst like popcorn into a dandelion clock, its white fluffy crown ready to spread its seeds across the land. Delighted, Bobby blew gently across the flower, and the seeds with their parachutes glided into the air.
    Mike whooped as the seeds flew, and Bobby grinned at him, thankful Mike had been there to witness him come into his powers.
    “I want to try something,” Bobby said and reached out, snatching a seed from its flight.
    “What?” asked Mike, and he sounded as eager as Bobby felt.
    “Watch this.”
    Bobby held the seed tight, buried in his fist. The seed trembled in his grasp as he fed it with a touch of the powers growing stronger inside him. Uncurling his fingers, a fresh young shoot wiggled out from the seed husk. Hearing Mike gasp, Bobby stroked it carefully, and it grew again, the seed giving birth to the start of a new flower. With a little more encouragement, the beginnings of a stalk wobbled precariously into view. It elongated in fits and starts and pushed out gangly, white roots from the bottom and arrow-headed leaves from the side. Bobby laughed with joy as the yellow head emerged. Initially encased in green, it sprang open to reveal a vibrant flower, each petal perfect in every way.
    The tiny plant sat in his hand, and Bobby beamed at his creation. He held it up to Mike, who stroked one of the petals with a long finger and said, “Wow.”
    Bobby placed the little flower down next to the roots of the oak tree and planted it securely, making sure the dandelion remained undamaged.
    “You’re amazing,” said Mike in awe. “I knew you were special, but this….”
    “It was you—I’m sure of it.”
    Mike looked confused. “What do you mean?”
    Bobby kissed him again. “You being here. I couldn’t have done this without you. Mike, I—”
    “Don’t be silly.”
    Bobby cupped Mike’s cheek. “Don’t you get it? I’ve been up here day after day for weeks. Then, you come up here with me, and you didn’t punch me when I kissed you—”
    “Why would I punch you? I’ve been hinting forever that I liked you…. I thought you weren’t interested in me that way.”
    “I didn’t realize.” Bobby smiled. “Months, Mike. I’ve been feeling like I’ve wanted to kiss you for months .”
    “You idiot,” said Mike, more fond than annoyed. “How could you not know?”
    Bobby toppled backward as Mike leaned against him, and he found himself underneath his smirking friend. “I still