Are We There Yet? - David Levithan

David Levithan and I have a good relationship. I think this is the eight book from him I read. I like his way to write a lot. Two brothers traveling in Italy. Watching art and trying to get on together. What's not to like?



Elijah moves over in his bed and Cal lies down beside him.
"Do you wonder...? she begins. This is their game  Do you wonder? Every night - every night when it's possible - the last thing to be heard is the asking without answer.
They stare at the glow-in-the-dark planets on the ceiling, or to turn sideways to trace each other's blue-black outlines, trying to detect the shimmer of silver as they speak.
This night, Cal asked, "Do you wonder if we'll ever learn to sleep with our eyes open?"
And in return, Elijah askes, "Do you think there can be such a thing as too much happiness?"
This is Elijah's favourite time. He rarely know what he is going to say, then suddenly it's there. 
Above them. Liftning.
A few minutes pass. Cal sits up and puts her hand on Elijah's shoulder.
"Goodnight, sleep tight," she whispers.
"Don't let the bedbugs bite," he chimes, nestling deeper under the covers.
---


Morning.
Breakfast.
"You fool," Elijah says, glancing at the menu.
"What?" Danny grunts.
"I said, 'You fool.'"
Danny looks at the menu and understands.
"No," he says. "I won't quiche you."
"Quiche me, you fool! Please!"
"If you say that any louder, you're toast."
"Quiche me and marry me in church, since we cantaloupe!"
Elijah is giddy with the old routine.
"Orange juice kidding?" Danny gasps.
"I will milk this for what it's worth."
"You can't be cereal."
"I can sense you're waffling..."
Danny looks up triumphantly. "There aren't any waffles on the menu! You lose!"
Elijah is surprised by how abruptly disappointed he is. That's not the point, he thinks.
He turns away. Danny pauses for a second watching him, not knowing what he's done.
---


Elijah watches the chair disappear around the corner and immediately feels loss.
He can't believe that you can meet a person in this way and then lose touch with them forever.
He could check all the hotels in Venice and look for a Greg and an Isabel, but he knows he won't.
He wants to, though. Because he wants to believe in sudden fate.