35 Chapter 35

Somehow, it seemed, we had regained our earlier bond of camaraderie, without all that full bearing of hearts. Part of me was actually relieved. As long as he was here, really here, and as long as there was that bond—that, I decided, was enough.

After a time, he said, “I guess that’s it, though.”

“What’s it?”

“Well, that you just can’tgo back again.”

I looked at him, and he looked at me. His face was peaceful now, but his eyes were shining, and filled with affection as he looked at me. I felt warmed by that look, reassured. And that enabled me to initiate something. I held up my forefinger.

“Just a warning,” I said. “I’m going to be a bit of a psychologist now.”

He considered, then nodded minutely.

“You can’t go back,” I repeated, speaking slowly. “But you canbring things forwardfrom the past, into the present.”

He continued to regard me, blinked several times, and then said, “What?”

“I think you know what I mean,” I suggested, and we both chuckled.