18 Chapter 18

“I don’t want you to go.” I grabbed for his hand, wishing now I had never let go of it back at the stream. “I want things to be different.”

“I don’t think they can be.” He squeezed. “Too bad.”

“Fuck.”

“Yeah. Say it, though. Say you’ll love someone someday, out, open, free.”

“I will. Someday…I will.”

“Look for them in the stars.”

“That’s dumb…just a stupid prom theme.”

“Is it? I think everyone looks for love from above, for some reason. Always up. And roses, like Freddie’s poem, maybe all that’s real, too.”

I held on with both hands, now, as if that would help. “If it was, this wouldn’t be happening.”

“I don’t know, Justy. Just…just love somebody. Make someday pretty soon. Maybe start today.” Dougie closed his eyes.

“Don’t go.”

“I love you.”