“I mean—why would you want to?” Cherry was upset.Why was she upset?“It’s always been... you know.”
“I know. But...” Tom shrugged. “I think it’s run its course.”
“Oh,” Cherry said. She was welling up.Whywas she welling up?Cherry didn’t even readThursday. She kind of hatedThursday. “So you’re just ending it.”
He looked confused. “I didn’t think you’d have a strong opinion about this.”
“I don’t. I just wasn’t expecting... So you’ll write an ending? Or you’ll just stop?”
“I’ll write an ending. I’ve got it all plotted.”
“Oh.” Cherry was crying now. She set down her bowl and covered her face.
“Cherry...” She felt Tom move closer to her. “Hey. What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
He touched her shoulder. “Cherry.”
“I just—” She cried a little harder. “I just—”
He stroked her shoulder. “What is it, baby...”
“I don’t want you to—”
“You don’t want me to end it?”
“No, I mean—No.I just—Tom.” The tears were coming in sheets. “Are you making them get a divorce?”
“Am I...?”
“In thecomic. Baby and The Guy. Are you—”
“Oh,” Tom said, getting it. “No.No, I would never.”
“Are they breaking up?”
“No. They’re not breaking up.”
“Because I know it’s your comic, and you need to express yourself—”
“They’re staying together, Cherry. I promise.”
“I just don’t think I could—”
“They’re okay, come here.” He pulled her into his chest.
She went. “Theideaof them—”
“They’re still in love.”
“Please don’t—”
Tom held her head in his neck. “It’s okay, they’re okay. I wouldn’t do that.”
“You can if you want to.”
“I don’t want to. Don’t worry.” He rubbed her back. “Don’t worry about this. It’s just going to end. I’m moving on, but they’re staying together.”
