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Just make sure you’re ready by 11, the text message read.
Kit looked over the message once more but the words revealed no more clues about the plans behind them than they did the first time. With an exasperated sigh, she tossed the phone back on the bed and she turned her attention back to her closet.
For two weeks they had been trying to arrange a date that was more than a cup of coffee in the hospital cafeteria or falling asleep in front of the television and every time an excuse would materialise and force them to reschedule. Between meetings and surgeries and consults and sleep, time always seemed to run away from them.
It was Randolph who decided enough was enough. Both of them were aware of the strain the demanding schedules of surgeons were liable to have on romantic relationships, and both had made the mistake of not accounting for it in the past, but it was still so easy to push the thought away, explain away the situation as unavoidable and keep saying ‘next time’ only for the cycle to repeat again. At last, Randolph cornered her in the hallway and insisted they needed to take time out for themselves. I’ve got everything planned out, he messaged last night, Just make sure you’re ready by 11.
After some deliberation Kit settled upon a dark red sundress. Wherever they were going, it was a good occasion to wear something other than a pantsuit or scrubs. On her way out, she remembered Randolph mentioning something about being outside, so she grabbed a white knitted cardigan from the shelf. The August weather has been pleasantly warm – the reward for enduring the hot humidity of July, Kit believed - but it was best not to take any chances. Kit made her way down the stairs and waited, filled with curiosity, for the appointed time to arrive.
At 11 o’clock on the dot, headlights illuminated her driveway and the sound of the engine turning off was her sign that it was time to head out.
As Kit walked out of her house, by the pale lamplight she could make out Randolph standing outside his car, leaning on the door with his arms crossed.
“Punctual as always,” he called out with a grin.
Kit made her way towards him. “You were very specific.” She gave him a peck on the cheek by way of greeting. “Are you going to tell me where we’re driving at this ungodly hour when we could be blissfully asleep in bed?”
“A surprise is a surprise. Telling you would take all the fun out of it." He opened the door to the passenger’s seat. "Now, we should get going.”
Kit hesitantly climbed in, not taking her eyes off Randolph and the mischievous smile on his face. Once he was seated beside her, he turned the engine back on and began to drive.
In the darkness and without her glasses, Kit could not make out in which direction they were going, and one last attempt to uncover their secret destination was made. “You could at least give me a clue about where we’re going.”
It was, however, quickly shut down. “Do I have to explain the concept of a surprise? Just wait and I promise it’ll be worth it.”
Kit shook her head in feigned annoyance. “Oh very well,” she said, resigning herself to waiting as instructed. She leaned back in her seat and turned her head to gaze out of the window. The city landscape, with its noise and bright lights, was soon replaced by long stretches of empty road surrounded by densely packed rows of trees. The sight of them whirling by calmed her, almost as though she was put in a trance. She allowed her muscles to relax and her eyes to shut, as all trust was placed in Randolph and his navigating abilities.
She did not notice herself drifting off until the sudden stop of the car jolted her out of her nap. Wearily, Kit looked over in Randolph’s direction.
"We're here," he said quietly.
In her sleepy state, Kit climbed out of the car and took in their new location. They found themselves faces a small stretch of land that boasted nothing but a view of the night sky and, if Kit looked closely enough, the sight of city lights in the distance.
She watched as Randolph opened up the trunk of the car and took out a blanket and a plastic bag. Feeling the night breeze on her bare shoulders, Kit gladly slid her arms into her cardigan, pulling it tighter around her.
“How long have you been planning this?” Kit asked as he spread out the blanket on a patch of grass and motioned for Kit to sit down on it.
“Few days. Our schedules don’t allow for much date time during the day so I had to get creative. So, I present to you an activity you can only do at nighttime.” Sitting down beside her and opening up the basket, he continued, “And for our very gourmet dinner, we have peanut butter sandwiches.”
“Very nice.” Kit took the sandwich that was handed to her and took a bite. “My compliments to the chef.”
“Noted,” Randolph said with a smile.
"I have to say, this is not what I expected."
"That was my intention."
"How did you find this place?"
“I used to come here when I was younger. It was kind of an end-of-summer ritual."
"And you'd have a picnic?"
"Sometimes. Sometimes I'd just sit and watch."
“That sounds lovely.” Kit moved the now empty sandwich bag out of the way and stretched out her legs. “Am I right in thinking we didn't just come here to sit and eat?”
Randolph started to respond, but then instead pointed towards the sky. “There!” Kit looked up just in time to catch sight of a white flash of light moving across the darkness. “That’s what we came for."
"What was that?"
"That was the Perseid Meteor Shower. It happens every August, but if you know when to come, you can see it at its brightest."
"I don't think I've ever seen a shooting star before."
"They're not really stars. Tiny bits of dust trains enter the Earth’s atmosphere, where friction with the air causes the particles to heat and burn up. That creates meteor showers like this one.”
“I didn’t realise you were such an astronomy aficionado.” Kit glanced over at him, but his gaze remained firmly fixed on the night sky.
"It's just interesting to think about. A comet that comes around only every century or so leaves behind debris that it lights up the sky every year." Kit found herself drawn to the child-like fascination in his voice. She imagined a younger Randolph Bell, driving out to this clearing every year and watching the same scene play out on the star-filled stage. She suddenly felt as though she was witnessing a private moment, like she had been entrusted with some secret.
“Make a wish,” Kit heard him whisper. She closed her eyes and uttered her silent wish. May this feeling of belonging never go away.
They sat in silence, staring at the meteor shower with an unarticulated awe. It was so rare for them to be surrounded by such stillness, to be able to focus on the moment without being pulled by responsibilities in every direction.
The stars continued to fall and Kit wondered how many other people were sitting outside just like them, taking in the sight and mumbling their own wishes. It was a natural phenomenon that united its spectators, while at the same time prompting thoughts about individuality.
Eventually, the sky went quiet, and Kit was forced to admit it was time to head back home. Together, they packed up their belongings and headed back to the car with their arms wrapped around each other.
When they were seated inside, Randolph turned to Kit and said, “So, was it worth driving out at - how did you put it? - this ungodly hour?”
“Yes. Thank you,” she replied, then added quietly, “I’m glad we finally got our date.”
“We both need to be better at making time for each other, cause otherwise…”
“I know.” The alternative did not need to be said out loud.
After they began their drive back, Kit looked over at Randolph and asked, “What did you wish for, by the way?”
“I can’t tell you that." He chuckled. "It won’t come true then.”
Kit smiled and turned her attention back to the road. In the darkness, it was easy to believe they were the only ones in the world. Under the night sky, their peace felt protected and sanctified. In several hours, they will be forced to rejoin society with its duties and obligations, but as long as they were travelling down this road, they could simply revel in each other’s company.