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His brow raises hopefully "Cake?"
I smile and slide off the bed
"You’ve already done too h it’s clear he’s okay with it "The crèh "Only one of those gifts counted"
"But I like theave him a – poorly made, by myself – papier-lued into its butt And then I gave hiinal artwork by one of his favourite cartoonists I had it shipped overseas the e started dating, right after he offhandedly mentioned his October 24th birthday I’ve been worried that it’s too hted by both
My birthday is in late June I won’t be able to vote until the next election
I’ stops me The quiet I peer into the hall For once, it’s ele person in sight A wave of recklessness washes overseparation pounding throughout my body My hand hovers above my door handle And then I take action
I shut my door
Josh ss We’ve been so careful to follow the rules "Are you sure?"
"Positive"
"My birthday is looking ht
"Also much darker," he says
I fu slossy chocolateof candles around the edge and softly sing "Joyeux anniversaire" It has the sa voice, which he’s never heard before
"Sultry," he says
I can tell he approves It’s ehteen candles are extinguished in a single blow
"You got your wish!"
Josh nods at rabs the as we dig into the cake, but it doesn’t take long before I’ar I fall backwards into the bed Joshaway the platter and collapsing beside ht hand, and he winces in the lao "Tendinitis?"
"It’s fine"
I give hiht now"
We stare at his hand It twitches
"Oh-oh," I say sadly "Mon petit chou"
Josh’s head shoots up in surprise It’s the first tie It’s like calling someone "sweet pea" His expression melts, but he looks down and away "You still make iant around you You’re like this perfect porcelain doll Delicate and sweet and pretty"
I smile "I won’t break"
Josh returns the smile "No?"
"No And neither will you" I take his hand back into ht that they feel like cords of rope beneath his skin He gri I press harder, and he closes his eyes Harder still He er slowly, up and down, one after the other The muscles loosen, but they never relax They’re too overworked