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"I don’t knohat’s going on," I tell him "He loved me, then he loved me not Now he needs me I’ for a few minutes in silence I know Tony hasn’t lost the subject, though

"Are you sure that’s healthy?" he asks at last

"I think it’s good he’s opening up," I say

"I don’t mean for him Ifor help Why would it be unhealthy foris, I’m not vulnerable this ti to me"

"Did you know you were vulnerable last time?"

This one I can answer in confidence "Yes Of course That’s what falling in love is all about"

Tony sighs "I wouldn’t know"

The part of ht now has an equal part in Tony The difference is that his longing doesn’t have a name or a face

"Someday your prince will co to say to hi?’"

We reach the mountain’s steepest incline We pick up fallen branches to use as walking sticks--not because we really need them, but because it’s e ("Sasquan helderfigglebarth?" "Yeh sesta" "Cumpsyl"), then stop when Tony hears a birdcall that interests hireatly (The only birdcall I know is the Road Runner’s BEEP BEEP)

Tony’s sights alight on the highest branches I can’t see a thing, but after a moment, he looks very pleased

"A bohunk Not native to this area But that o for

"So what’s up with you?" I ask

"Not s?"

"Fine"

RRRRRRRRR I ame-show-buzzer noise "I’nize ‘fine’ as an acceptable answer We see it as a conversational cop-out So please, try again"

Tony sighs again, but not that heavily He knows he’s been snagged If I ever say "fine" to hi about life lately, and this one i to ainst traffic? You look down the street and see a car coets to you So even though there’s a DON’T WALK sign, you cross anyway And there’s always a split second when you turn and see that car co, it will all be over That’s how I feel a lot of the time I know I’ll make it across I always make it across But the car is always there, and I always stop to watch it coives me a low smile "You know, sometimes I wish I had your life But I’ood at it"