He laughs and tugs on his bottom lip with his teeth as he steps down off the porch. “Yeah. I’m well aware. But you said you liked it.”
“And I did. I do. But it might make me move a little slower sometimes. Especially because I’m a little out of practice.”
“I see.” He inches closer. “After our walk, we can come back, have some hot chocolate, take a bath, and then maybe get you some more practice.”
“Yeah. I mean, it might make future trips quicker.”
He laughs, reaching me, and Huey rushes behind him before biting at the dangling leash in my hand. I pat him between the ears, “Okay, okay. We’re going, buddy. Sorry we took so long.”
Setting the walking stick in front of him, Henry uses his other hand to adjust his scarf, looking all warm and snuggly. Nothing he wears matches, but he pulls it off anyway. The gray jacket, purple scarf, pink beanie with snowflakes, and his black snow boots hugging his gray sweatpants.
“That’s some outfit.”
He points his eyes downward and shakes his head. “I’m going to stop trying to look like a hot mess eventually. Or maybe that’s some an inner part of me clinging to hope.”
“Hope is good and I think you look fine. Better than fine actually.” Hope is was brought me to him. Something bad might yank us apart, though. Something bad and dark inside me. It’s a ticking time bomb. It scratches at my skin, wanting to get out, and I’m worried I’m losing what little control I have over it.
Standing on his tiptoes, he pulls at my chin and sweetly kisses my lips. “If this is what hope feels like, then yes, it is very good.”
Twenty-one
Rafael
Huey pulls me forward down the trail and the surrounding trees shake, snow falling around us. Henry’s arm is locked in mine and he inhales the air, smiling as he lifts his face to the sky. “I’ve missed this.”
“Having something wet and cold on your face?” I say smugly.
Laughing, he pushes his shoulder into mine. “No. Being outside. Going for walks. Smelling fresh air. Sitting on the front porch every day doesn’t hit the same way.”
“Sounds good enough for me, as long as I have the perfect company that is.” I nudge my nose into his cheek.
“Yeah, the perfect company can definitely make the difference, but you also have other options. I still feel so stuck, scared to step outside my comfort zone alone.”
“Good thing you no longer have to,” I say, kissing his cheek, and he sucks in a breath.
“I can’t rely on that, on another person. You stop talking to me and then what? It’s important I do these things on my own too.”
“And you will. We’ll walk together today and tomorrow. Then you can try it again on your own. Even if it’s just a few feet before turning back around. Also, I hate to say this but you’re stuck with me in your life now.”
“Am I?”
“Yup.”
“That means you’re stuck with me too, then, doesn’t it?”
“It’s not stuck if it’s by choice.”
His face beams. “You know just what to say and when to say it. I’ve met many smooth talkers like you before.”
“I’m only saying how I feel. I’ll never bullshit you. That’s a promise.”
“Well, as long as it’s a promise.” He lays his head on my shoulder and we keep moving forward. We stop whenever Huey does and I describe everything around us.
“Sounds wonderful.”
“It’s very serene.” I stroke his cheek and Huey tugs me forward, pulling a laugh from us both at how impatient he suddenly is to move along. We talk about our hobbies. He tells me about his artwork and how he misses it. I tell him how I miss being around more people but also how the idea stresses me out.
“You still go to therapy?” he asks, his face growing serious.
