Chapter 43

“I’m not certain I can ever see myself the way you claim to. Though haven’t I already when I’ve let down my inhibitions? That first night, those first moments we shared together, not before I felt the doubts, but before I let them consume me? The day we played tag and…and had some version of sex here, I was open then, and I enjoyed the beginnings of our romance so much.” Frank had delivered the flowery speech in character. He glanced at Liam’s expression and sighed. “Poop.”

Liam smiled.

“I talk as much as I think, and you must grow so bored with me.”

“Love.”

“Is that your answer for everything?”

“Yes.”

Frank melted. “I suppose it is the only one we need, then.” Frank picked up a wooly bear caterpillar from the ground. He let it crawl across one hand, then onto the other. Nothing happened to it. It did not spontaneously combust, nor did its hair frizz out fuller as if electrocuted.

Sometimes the mosquitoes sizzled and sometimes they didn’t.