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I nod Unlikely

After a brief silence, he looks atout a way to say so

“You know…I hope this doesn’t seeht see ure…over time Someone ants to look out for you Help you when I can” He glances down briefly beforein h it was”

As it turns out, I don’t sleep until after we stop for a re-fueling in Amsterdam

I listen with a tissue pressed perpetually toh to ask them—and with tact and kindness I learn they kissed beneath the arches that trapped Declan and I in the burrow He begged her daily to return to New York with him

“So…why didn’t she?” It’s perhaps est question

He smiles sadly “I think she was scared Too scared to leave her h letters—” I arch ot them in my crates— “she felt more comfortable But by then she knew I had a fa promised to someone” He adds, “To Declan’s mother, Katherine”

“Oh” I nod slowly

I see hi, but I know the contours of his face so oddly well, for they’re so like my Declan’s It’s a bit of pain leftover…lasted decades

He lifts his brows “Your mom didn’t want to interfere” After a moment of silence, he says, “I think she was too aware of the differences…in our economic situations It was probablyto court her, you know?” He smiles wistfully “I think it intimidated her”

He’s so kind, talking through the entire situation withI confess I read some of the letters

“You were co for us, weren’t you? You and Declan”

He hesitates before he confir to take the two of you back to New York Whether the powers that be agreed with it or not Your mom was married, but that shouldn’t make someone a prisoner”

“The laws are archaic They’ve been changed now I think they were never meant to be a chain Or so I was told…after”

He nods “That’s good”