supposed

lute randomness of it. If she hadn't chosen that particular quiet corner

n on her little cardboard box trembled. She held

I made this." A handkerchief, embroidered w

thing extraordinary-softened into something so genuine, so warm, that ev

rely above a whisper. "Thi

thick glasses. She went up on her toes and

n to meet her. Even th

g, her whole body radiating a terrified joy that Karyn rec

ned the corner

n's face

, the careful performance of caring: all of it simply ceased. What remained was cold and flat and faint

his hand and wiped it

ox and the handkerchi

e handkerchief-hours of someone's careful work

came down o

n

ed like a weapon

l and looked at him directly, then deliberately dro

l, crossed his ankles, and spread his arms wide with a slow, dark smirk.

w

olute scum,"

d and wal

the morning air and bounced off the gym walls. H

g that settled in her chest like a stone: he wasn't afraid of be

e