Chapter 12

His embrace was so sudden that it sucked the breath right out of me, and in my frail condition, I surrendered to Remember. Jonson's The intensity and perfection of his hug were just what I needed.

Sorry, he said.

To hide my disgust from him, I leaned my forehead into his collarbone. “Don’t. Believe me, this is not your fault.

I'm sorry, whatever, since I'm aware.

Nothing else was said. In the silence of the kitchen, only the distant ticking of the wall clock could be heard. My arms slipped and settled around him as I put my face to the smooth plane of his chest. Neither one of us tried to escape.

Admittedly, I was a greedy person. Even though I knew it was bad of me, I desperately sought his hug. I finally felt at home. I closed my eyes and followed the rise and fall of his chest as he took a deep breath, wishing the clock's hands would stop moving.

They didn't, however.