Part 66 (2/2)

What would be left next year when she'd inhale air enough to darken sixteen candles?

Ten years from now? What then? And twenty?

What was the exact percentage of this day that had already slipped away?

She wanted this moment, this half of a half of a percent, to stick.

She set out to capture it.

She chased down those vines by the reflecting pool, their orange blooms like bonfires for Barbies.

She caught that tree, the one that had been turned into a wise old woman by long gray braids of Spanish moss.

She scooped up Lucas-so vulnerable, so fully here now, his tie knot all wrong.

She took it all in with her net, knowing that so very much of it would slip through and fall away hard and fast.

That the curve of memory was steep.

Lucas opened the urn and the wind cooperated as he shook it and the ashes swirled high-like in a movie about spells-before settling and disappearing at their feet.

A return to form.

We are all dust.

All dying.

All losing.

All forgetting.

We are all leaving all the time.

David Dunton.

at Harvey Klinger Agency.

(our 10th book together!).

Adrienne Maria Vrettos.

(first reader and ultimate writing dater).

Morghan, Paul, and Rachel.

(”my lawyers”).

Harvey Fite (for Opus 40).

Anne Ursu.

(for the right lecture at the right time).

Teeny Tiny Filmworks.

(not so teeny anymore!).

Bob (Of course.).

Nick.

(Always.) Ellie (For the idea.).

Violet.

(Just because.).

The amazing Leaving design team:.

Donna Mark, Amanda Bartlett, Jessie Gang, and Kimi Weart (Because, I mean, LOOK AT IT!!).

and Sarah Shumway.

(for always push push pus.h.i.+ng for more) (okay, sometimes less).

end.

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