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A flicker of hope sparked in my chest "They would help me… immensely People like to put a name to a sculpture, and they love it if there’s some explanation behind its creation The press like it too, so they can reference their favorite piece in their reviews I’ve already had requests for that from some major industry heavy hitters"

"Fuck sake," he hissed under his breath, but I heard it I waited on tenterhooks for his answer, every part of e encounter, when he finally dropped his shoulders "Fine, whatever"

"Thank you," I replied,with butterflies

Elpidio drew the curtains "I’ll coht"

"Okay," I replied, heat infusing ain

Just as he turned to leave, I quickly asked, "Elpidio?"

He stopped but didn’t turn

"Any chance you’re from Bama?" His shoulders stiffened "I only ask because I’ham, and I picked up on your accent too"

He hesitated "Mobile," he reluctantly replied, quietly A sht ere from the same state, when he added, "It’s Elpi Elpi," he e to say h the parted curtains, leaving me next to the sculpture we’d just discussed As it sat in the glare of the silverdrawn-out exhale, as a cold shiver of realization engulfedon the floor, the uilt…

Chapter Seven

Axel

"You don’t know irl,"