onely shadow bear the
years tied to Preston Vale-and today, the registry dec
entia, stormi
reston Vale's name, applause shaking the rafters. He
intimate pose. Whispers slice me: "Presto
I collapse at t
ed for Thalia to come of ag
stayed -single." "B
m murmur to Thalia: "You're the
one vi
ache for you. Returning on o
w, spoken to
ever"; the thousand love scrolls stained with his essence; our g
lee to an alley. Rain mi
one! Preston Vale,
unk, I stare at
nts' shrine, then vanish-burying
healer's, voice shaking:
up, tea
d my passport-no hope
d skyship carries me
n, board the p
ler's wo
was grave. Conceiving is a miracle.
b-check scroll, I
wanting more moonlit days with you." Now my h
er's , I collide with Pr
rom the scan room,
fret-'tis a cub
d about you ,after all
"brother" since my
ore shatters: their visit celebrate
termination: no cub of mine will born
in the garage,
Diner-built for my last birthday. "Onl
atch Thalia in my plac
ond necklace: "Congrats,
m, tears fall. His "only
an alley,
shrine, I cancel the terminatio
all Preston's bonds, s
cleared of
amp, I collapse on the sofa, staring at walls