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His smile disappeared

"She's beyond being hurt," he said "You've got to be able to see and smell and feel to knohen you're in pain, and she's beyond that'

"That's not true Harley"

"It's true Okay" he said "I'll rise, but I'm not sure I will shine"

I stepped closer to his bed and seized his hair He looked up surprised

"You'll rise and you'll shine and you'll help make this the best birthday ofhim a little harder than he anticipated

"Ow," he cried reaching for my hand He held my wrist a moment and looked up at me

"You still haven't had the decency to wish me a happy birthday, Harley Arnold"

I let go of his hair, but he held my wrist

"Happy birthday Su me closer so he could kiss me on the cheek His lips were very close to azed them with his mouth

For a small moment, our eyes locked, and then I rubbed my cheek

"Shave," I ordered

My heart was thuo of my wrist

"And get dressed and come out to help," I continued

He just stared up at ht that now poured through his s