"It's not that big of a deal, D."
"It is for me. We haven't been separated in almost ten years. I don't have many friends, in case you haven't noticed, Alec."
"We'll Skype every day."
"It's not the same."
"Well, it's going to have to do… for a while at least. Besides, you know I could never leave the Circle. It's in our blood. Like a vampire… I must return to my native soil."
"Demarco don't do pale. Unless maybe…Elvira: Mistress of the Dark."
"I could see that."
They were quiet for a minute… the jokes had played out, reality set in.
"You'll be OK, Demarco."
"I know. It's you I'm worried about."
"I need to do this, D."
"I know you do. And I support you."
"Thank you."
"Will I get to see you again, before you leave?"
"How about today? You could help me get all his stuff collected."
"Glamorous."
"Chinese delivery for lunch, my treat. See you in, let's say, two hours?"
"Perfect."
"One more thing."
"Yes?"
"When I get my head on straight, and my book is written… it'syourturn."
"What do you mean?"
"We're going to work on you… we're going to find you a boyfriend that you can take home to
mama… somewhere among the detritus of Hill brats, foreign dignitaries, and politicos."
"Yeah, right. Big words and promises."
"You'll see, Auntie Em. Dreams really do come true."
5
The snow was coming down so hard that Alec only saw flashes of white road and dark woods
between windshield wiper swipes. He had not driven in years—public transportation making things
so easy in the District that he had never really had the need.
