getocry.

    "Whatsthematter,Speck?Areyouokay?"

    "Ivebeenwtoohard.Theresosnowontheway."Shesmiledandtookmyhand."Wellstealoffatthefirstflurries."

    Whenthesnowfinallycamedayslater,Ihadfallenasleepunderapileofblas.Shewokeme,whiteflakesgatheringinherdarkhair."Itstime,"shewhisperedasquietlyasthedelicatesusurrusthroughthepines.SpedImeanderedalongfamiliartrails,takingcaretobehidden,andwaitedattheedgeoftheforesthelibraryfordusktoarrive.Thesnowfallobscuredthesun’sdest,andtheheadlightsofthefewcarsontheroadtrickedusintogoingtoosoon.Wesqueezedintoourspalytohearfootfalloverheadasthelibrariaocloseforthenight.Tostaywarmandquiet,wehuddledbehabla,andshequicklyfellasleepagaiherhythmofherbeatiandrespiration,afromherskin,quicklylulledmetosleep,too,andwewoketogetherinpitchblack.Shelitthelamps,atoourbooks.

    SpeckhadbeenreadingFlanneryOor,andIwaswadingierwithWallaceStevens.ButIcouldnottrateonhisabstras,andiaredatherbetweenthelines.Ihadtotellher,butthewordswereie,inplete,andperhapsinprehensible—ahingelsewoulddo.Shewasmyclosestfriendintheworld,yetagreaterdesireformorehadapaniedmearoundforyears.Icouldnotrationalizeorexplainitawayforanothermoment.SpeckwasengrossedinTheVioleAway.Abentarmproppedupherhead,andshewaslyingacrossthefloor,herhairobsgherface.

    "Speck,Ihavesomethingtotellyou."

    "Justamoment.Onemoresentence."

    "Speck,ifyoucouldputdownthatbookforased."

    "Almostthere."Shestuck