His sudden appearance jolted me back to the winter vacation of my senior year.
Shaun had traveled across the city, riding buses for a long time, just to come see me.
It was snowing heavily that day, and here we were standing under this same streetlight.
He had teased me, saying I looked like a little old lady with gray hair. I jumped into his arms, brushing snow all over him.
"Does this count as us growing old together?" I asked eagerly.
His eyes had sparkled brightly at me, like they were filled with stars. I had thought I owned him.
Unfortunately, in the river of time, those stars gradually dimmed, leaving only darkness. I had lost the most precious thing after all.
A moth made a sudden thud against the lampshade, pulling me back from my memories.
Shaun was looking at me.
After what seemed like a century, we spoke at the same time.
"Why are you crying?"
"What are you doing here?"
There was a moment of awkwardness in his expression, but he quickly regained his composure and replied, "I'm here to pick up some documents from a client who lives here."
I nodded, confirming to myself that he wasn't here to see me, strangely not disappointed.
"Missing my brother," I replied.