7 Now I say “Adieu!”

Soon, the big day arrives. Today is when I leave. Can you imagine it? Can you imagine your old friend Stig packing a small bag, wearing a black beret, and hopping on an airplane?

I feel happy, and I feel sad. I feel bittersweet. How can these two feelings (bitter and sweet) make one word?

Everyone is here to say goodbye. I look at my family and friends:

Liam and Oliver, my two dads who I love very much

Quang, my best friend who paints invisible paintings

Randy, the man from across the street who makes shandy candy

Alma, the baker who also plays the ukulele

Francisco, the musician who wants to be an architect

Fiona, my agent who gets 15% of my two million dollars

Abdi, my cousin who plays the drums … loudly

Lorena, our neighbor upstairs who tap dances on our ceiling

Even Mr. and Mrs. Borgen-Yorgen come to say goodbye. They bring me chocolate chip cookies for the trip.

The only person who is not here is Kensho Holfina, the man who does not like my writing anyway.

This is the day that I have been waiting for. This is the day that I leave Portland. This is the day that I travel to Paris. This is the day that I become a poet in Paris. This is the day that I follow my dreams.

Oliver and Liam say nothing.

“Be brave, Liam. Be brave, Oliver,” I say. “We will meet again. Portland will always be my home. But you know I live in my dreams. And my dreams are in Paris. So I must live in Paris.”

“Remember your roots,” says Oliver.

“Remember your wings,” says Liam.

We hug. All of us together, we hug. One big hug, in a huddle like a football team.

“Time to fly, Mister Lemon Pie!” I say.

That doesn’t mean anything. It’s just a fun way to leave without crying.

Soon I am in the clouds above.

Later, Liam and Oliver receive a postcard from Stig: