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“It is what saved me Of that I’ realat the stars It was exciting Likea friend for the first time, if that makes any sense But I was very alone, Julia, for s were my only constant My companion and my enemy”

“I can’t even iine, Ferro, but I do try”

“I know you do” It ht What Julia did for him was more than any person had ever done

“So showto the telescope

He got up and positioned it, bending down and looking, searching “There,” he said “The Orion nebula I took particular joy in being able to see that Once I got the telescope”

“New discoveries opened up to you,” she said

“Yes”

She stood up, dropped the blanket He stepped aside and went back to the divan while she bent and looked through the telescope

“Such a fantasy, Julia A naked wo at the stars I should think that’s a very rare thing for a man to possess”

She straightened and looked at him “And I have a ht core processor That is also fantasy material”

“I love it when you talk nerdy to me”

She laughed and joined hi the blanket up over both of them “It’s beautiful,” she said

“What is?”

“The nebula All of it This place Your place What you’ve done with your life, Ferro, it’s not a sraphy—”

“That damned book”