Chapter 64

“I remember you,” Jackie said. The family resemblance to Micha was stunning. “We met before.”

“Briefly.” Goose extended a hand. “During combat. Both of you.”

“Yes.” Jackie shook it. “You, uh, mentioned the korolkowii. I never say that right.”

“I’m not sure I do, either,” Goose admitted. “But I pronounce it like you did.”

“We just said, ‘What’s up?’ to each other that day,” Jackie recalled. “Then, you pointed to the flower and said something about it looking like a little sun.”

“I kind of stole that from you, to use in my letter.” Jose looked down at his shoes. “I just confessed that to Jackie.”

“And I told him I couldn’t care less.” Jackie put his finger to the corner of Jose’s eye to trap a tear, both of theirs still wet from joy. “I’m so pumped to have you beside me, there’s nothing you could say to make me feel anything else.”

“I’m glad we’re meeting again, and that you can meet my Patrick. Jose, Patrick. Patrick, Jose.”