herfiweenthepagesandclosedthenovel.

    Shelookedatme,andinoneseymoodswungfromelationtofear."Ihavebeenthinkingforalong,longtime,Speck,aboutyou.IwanttotellyouhowIfeel."

    Hersmilecollapsed.Hereyessearchedmyrelentlessgaze."Aniday,"sheinsisted.

    "Ihavetotellyouhow—"

    "Dont."

    "Tellyou,SpeuchI—"

    "Please,dont,Henry."

    Istopped,openedmymouthtoformthewords,andstoppedagain."Whatdidyousay?"

    "IdontknowthatIhearthatrightnow."

    "Whatdidyoucallme?"

    Shecoveredhermouth,asiftorecapturetheescapedname.

    "YoucalledmeHenry."Thewholestoryunraveledinaninstant."Thatsme,ImHenry.Thatswhatyousaid,isntit?"

    "Imsosorry,Aniday."

    "Henry.NotAniday.HenryDay."

    "HenryDay.Youwerentsupposedtoknow."

    TheshockofthenamemademefetwhatIhadplaellher.Myriadthoughtsaionspetedinmymind.Images,solutionstoassortedpuzzlesandriddles,andunansweredquestions.Sheputdownherbook,crossedtheroom,andwoundmeinherembrace.Fortheloime,sheheldontome,rogandsoothingmyfeveredimaginationwiththelightesttouch,caressingawaythechaos.

    Andtheoldmemystory.Thestorytoldinthesepageswasallshecouldremember.Shetoldmewhatsheknew,andmyrecollesofdreams,visions,andentersfilledi.Shetoldmewhytheykeptitallsecretforsolong.Howitisbetternottoknowwhoyoureallyare.Tetthepast.Erasethename.Allthisrevealedinapatientandheavenlyvoitileveryt