something that built itself slowly, brick by brick, over time. And yet, as he sat across from Michael at a

es and antique shops. It was the kind of spot Mitchell would have never found on his

itchell asked, watching as Michael twi

cks a restaurant without consulting you

rust good food. We'll

red. "You'll love it. And if yo

? H

cond

ebrow. "A little pres

tuous. Just

wn skin, the kind of person who made the world seem less overwhelming just by existing in it.

conversation weaving between deep and playful. Michael spoke about music th

against the table. "I was terrible at first. My mom used to make me practice for hours, and I hated it.

ed him, entran

a day without it. Music is the

He could hear the weight in Michael's

ifting the conversation. "You work in p

itated. "I w

hy don'

ething doesn't mean

s head. "That's a

real

ality is the story we tell ourselve

rp through Mitchell's chest. No one had ever said it quite li

round them. A cool breeze curled between them as they

od good enough?

"I'll admit, it

at means I get

ead but didn't argue

is hand, fingers lacing togeth

that maybe, just maybe, som