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"I don’t think I can do it" Clara leaned forward, feeling faint She could feel the walls closing in, and see Peter’s polished black leather shoes on the floor ahead Where he’d finally stopped Noton the floor

"I knohispered Olivier "But I also know you Whether it’s on your knees or on your feet, you’re going through that door" He nodded toward the end of the hall, his eyes never leaving hers "It ht as well be on your feet"

"But it’s not too late" Clara searched his face Seeing his silky blond hair, and the lines only visible very close up More lines than a thirty-eight-year-old man should have "I could leave Go back hoain her garden, as she’d seen it that , the mist not yet burned off The dew heavy under her rubber boots The early roses and late peonies darant She’d sat on the wooden bench in their backyard, with her ht about the day ahead

Not once had she i to leave To go back to the garden

But Olivier was right She wouldn’t return Not yet

Oh, no no no She’d have to go through those doors They were the only way home now

"Deep breath out," Olivier whispered, with a sooddown there?" Gabri asked as he watched Clara and his partner "I knohat Olivier usually does in that position and I hope that isn’t it" He turned to Peter "Though that hter"

"Ready?" Olivier handed Clara her purse and they got to their feet

Gabri, never far fro "You OK?" He exah Gabri preferred to call himself "burly," his face unscored by the worry lines of his partner

"I’otistical?" asked Gabri

"Exactly"

"Great So’estured toward the door "What they aren’t is the fabulous artist with the solo show So you’re both fine and fa toward Clara and s Peter’s hand, they walked together down the corridor, the sharp echoes of their feet not quite , thought Clara They’re laughing at my art

And in that instant the body of the poeht Clara Still the dead one laybut drowning

From far off Ar He knehere it was coh he couldn’t see the children through theleaf He sohter cained his son Daniel and Roslyn were in the park, watching their children And that soon they’d walk hand in hand across the quiet street in the very center of the great city, for dinner Or he and Reine-Marie would join thele" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>