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With no time to make it onto the back porch, I duck into the supply closet, where I press ainst the door and sink slowly to ainst my knees, I cross myself and let the tears flow

Stone the cows!

I pushout a

I think of Declan coe For what my life is For the mockery I only now can see I think of Mue’s elderly—often aor a er, though sometiether I think of the ones alone—ed or never wed—and hoe bury therave stones I think of rave stone

“Finley”

My body freezes and I start to tremble, shaken as if I’d heard a phanto that But there he is, so tall and strong and handsoainst the closet’s back ith his arms folded in front of his chest

His face is grave His face is flawless His eyes hold to aze rushes up and down him Declan! He looks taller, broader than I recall froray tee shirt that clings to his chest, chino-style pants that hang from his hips, and black boots, he looks like the worldly allops with such force I feel it behind my eyes

How is he here? Sorips me as I rise to my feet One look at him and I feel bloide open So much so, I can’t bear it

As I turn toward the door, I feel him step to my side

“What’s the matter, Finny?”

My heart pounds fast and hard, and I can scarcely keep nificance”

What a liar I’ve become I can’t look at him, have even shut my eyes “You never showed up at the clinic,” I whisper

In the ensuing silence, my blood crashes between my ears

“You didn’t come and find me either” The rumble of his low voice makes me shiver, and I think di so close now, I feel the heat of him

“I never said I would” I wrap my hand around the doorknob