Chapter .61.

Repeat after me:

Somewhere the moon rises out of the rain. Somewhere Icarus crawls out of the sea, unburned and alive. Somewhere we are polishing the word absence with our tounges and learning not to be terrified of all we lack.

- Wisdom teeth by Keaton St. James

* * *

It's nearing the last few weeks. Orion is closing in on himself more and more, becoming more anxious as the time approaches.

Grandma laughs at his behavior.

"I don't have anything to compare it to, but I wonder if this is how Jay would have acted."

I find out the answer soon.

Unexpectedly one day, Grandjay arrives. With him is Leo.

It takes me a few seconds to register that they are even there before I rush towards Leo. I can hear Orion's protest in the background, but ignore it.

"Uh, It's hard to hug you Soraya," Leo laughs as he tries to gently wrap his arms around me.

I laugh with him.