章 38: Chapter 38

“Jeremy.” I reached for his hand, but it was like reaching for mist. “Will you…will you come back?”

“You know I can’t.”

“But just for a visit? Now and then?”

He didn’t answer me.

“How can I live without you?”

“One day at a time.”

“I love you so much.”

“And I you, James. Until the end of time. Good—”

“Not goodbye! Please, Jeremy! Not goodbye!” I begged shamelessly.

“All right, love. Not goodbye. Do svidaniya.”

I started to laugh—even as a ghost his accent was atrocious—but then he kissed me once more, and the dream faded to nothingness.

* * * *

The pounding that brought me to uncomfortable consciousness was not the London Philharmonic taking up residence behind my eyes and playing the “Anvil Chorus,” as I first thought.