“I’m not talking about—you forced us together!”
“I didn’t force anything.” Gran lifted her chin and folded her hands in front of her. “I only gave a little nudge. The rest came from you two.”
The bit of sickness at Gran’s actions passed. Perhaps it wasn’t the most moral thing to do, but Shanna had to admit itwasmore of a nudge than a forceful command. No spell was needed to make that night in Ross happen. Or the days afterward, or the night at the lodge in Milford Sound. For however short a time, she and Simon were meant to share that journey. Be a part of each other.
“And, without any intention of sounding dirty,” Gran said. “I still feel him in you. In here.” She laid her hand over Shanna’s heart. “So go while he still keeps you in his heart, as well.”
Shanna closed her eyes, took Gran’s hand, and kissed her wrinkly fingers. “Thank you.”
“And don’t worry.” Gran winked. “I’ll pack you some pie for the road.”
***
Simon milled about outside the convention center hosting the weekend’s tech conference, Chris by his side. Night had fallen, and clouds disguised any stars that could otherwise penetrate the city mist.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to rat him out?” Chris leaned on a fence by the car park. “Like, really, really sure?”
“With absolute certainty,” Simon said.
“Because if I don’t do it now, I won’t do it ever. If cops come stirring shit up at the shelter, I’ll be clueless. Zip.” She drew a hand over her mouth.
“As you should be.” He grasped her shoulder. “I can get him with what we have. No need to get you dragged into this.”
“Would’ve loved to see his face, though.”
“You still can.” He motioned to her phone. “The presentation will begin soon, and I’m sure they’ll stream it somewhere.”
“You’d better make it epic. Maybe a rap battle.”
“Definitely not a rap battle.” However he was going to face Everett, it wasn’t going to include any sort of poetry.
Except for, perhaps, Everett getting a poetic ending to his scheme.
“I guess I’ll be off, then.” Chris pushed away from the fence.
“Hey.” He waited until she turned and tossed her an envelope.
She peeked inside.
“For Freddie. It’s not as much as Everett promised you,” Simon said. “But only because of my somewhat limited financial means at the moment. As soon as I get my stuff sorted out, I’ll set up a monthly donation to the shelter.”
Chris looked up, the corner of her mouth just barely edging toward a smile. “You didn’t have to do it.”
“I didn’t,” he said. “But I wanted to.”
She gave a little nod, as if embarrassed. “I could say I can’t accept it, and then you’ll insist, and then I’ll insist, and it would go on and on, but we both have better stuff to do. So … thanks, man.”
“No problem, kid.”
“See you around, yeah?”
He gave her a wave.
“Oh, and,” she yelled back, as darkness already began to consume her. “Say hi to Shanna from me when you go back to her!”
Shanna.The feeling came back in an instant, as strong as a little sun burning inside his chest. The feeling of happiness, nostalgia, like something precious and treasured he’d remembered after decades of it slipping from his mind.
Only he couldn’t remember what that thing was.
