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“We’ll be fine.We’ll always be fine.”He pushed off the couch and whistled.

Wally popped off one of his four beds—in various places around the house—and perked right up.

“Walk?”Phillip used that sweet tone that always worked on the dog.

That always worked on me.

We donned windbreakers and then headed out into the night.Thank goodness for the streetlamps as the clouds obscured the moon entirely.

I grabbed Phillip’s hand, and he gripped the leash in his other.

We made it about twenty feet before Wally lifted his leg and peed on Mrs.Duggins’ rosebushes.

“You realize I’m going to catch hell for that.”I might’ve dramatically whispered that.

“If she were home.”He pointed to the dark house.

“She might be lurking behind the curtains.

“Well, she told me she and Mrs.Candor were going to the movie tonight.Some new rom-com with a morematurecast.”

I laughed.“Okay, that’s fair.Pretty soon that’ll be Marcie’s speed.”

He poked me.“Do not let your sister hear you say that.”

“Maybe.”Marcie and I teased each other mercilessly about aging.All the while knowing we’d eventually lose our parents and then, in time, each of us would go.Such was the way of the world.

“You don’t want kids, do you?”Phillip squeezed my hand as we crossed Fern Avenue.

Trust him to keep the thread of the conversation.At least he didn’t bring uploveagain.

“No, I really don’t.I’ve considered fostering over the years.My response was always to find a charity and to make a donation.I also teach an online press-release writing course for anyone who’s interested.For free.I figure that’s my contribution.”

He laughed.“Okay.Didn’t see that coming.I’ll have to sign up.”

“It’s virtual.And anyway, I can just show you anytime.”

“Ah, but I like the idea of seeing you in action.”

“I’d be nervous with you there.”

“No you wouldn’t.You’d shine.You always shine.”Again, he squeezed my hand as we made our way into the park.“It’s just over here.”He pointed to a bend.

The bend where we’d first met.Just ten days ago.

A lifetime.In a good way.

We stopped at the bend.Under the streetlamp with the weird pink glow.

“Now…” He drew in a breath and gazed up at me.“I never saw you coming.And I need to tell you something important before we go on.”

I tilted my head.I’d thought we were here so I could do the talking.Except maybe this was his safe spot.His spot for revelations.Because the last doozie had been delivered at almost this exact spot.Well, except the virgin thing.

“Like, you know I’m seeing Dr.Martin.”

I nodded.

“You know I had troubles back in LA.”