Chapter 14

The day was beautiful in my opinion: wispy blue-white clouds, beams of rainbow sunlight in all the windows, a heated wind that caressed our faces with such loveliness and ease. How could a day be so utterly perfect and hauntingly poisoned at the same time? Why did life tease the both of us like that with such malice?

My eyes strayed to Seth’s hairy chest: rounded pecs with pink nipples, furry abs, comma-shaped navel, bristly thatch of pubic triangle. I don’t know why I said, “You’re not going to die and leave me alone,” but did.

“I’m going to die, but you’ll never be alone.”

“The great soothsayer speaks.”

“My destiny.”

“Our destiny,” I corrected, nuzzled against his still body, and drifted off to sleep.

* * * *

July 2—Eli.