Arch stayed silent and stroked his hair.
He dropped his head back, and she tucked her chin in herneck to look down at him.
And he said, “I love him and have no memory of him.I misshim and I never knew him.He’s everywhere and he’s never been there.All thatshit is whacked.It makes no sense.”
She cradled his cheek in her hand and replied, “It makesperfect sense to me, because he’s right here and I’m so, so,sogladhe is.”
He’s right here.
Jag pushed up and took her mouth, rolling on top of her.
Archie rounded him with her arms and kissed him back.
He ended it and shoved his face in her neck.
She returned to stroking his hair but added his neck,shoulders and back.
“Iwannawatch that movie withyou,” he said into her skin.
“Right now?”
“No.I don’t know when.But soon.Though, tomorrow duringthe day I’m hanging in the shop with you.”
“Okay, we’ll go to your place after we close.”
“No, here.When we watch it, I need to watch it here.”Helifted his head and looked down at her.“I need to be in your space when I seeit again.”
She nodded, swiping her hands over his forehead, his cheeks,pushing back his hair, touching him constantly.
“I have to talk to my mom,” he admitted.
“Yeah, you do,” she said gently.
“Will you be there with me?”
“At your side, baby.”
At his side.
He bent and touched his mouth to hers.
He lifted away and told her, “I also need to sit down withTack.They were best friends.I need to know my father.I need to feel what hefeels when he says the words.I need to look at his face as he’s saying them.”
She nodded.“You want me there for that too?”
“I don’t know.Can we see?”
“We can do anything, honey.”
We can do anything.
They could.
They were alive.
Breathing.
They had time.
