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He blinked yet again.Whether from surprise at my words or fatigue, I couldn’t tell.

Before he could answer my question, though, I pointed to his chest.“You’ll have to tell me tomorrow what happened earlier.But I’m falling over even as I stand here.”

“Yeah.”He nodded.“Call me if you need anything, okay?Phone, yelling, knocking on door…whatever.”

“I will.I promise.And, uh, I’m okay with a hug.”I needed to show I was a normal person who could give and receive affection.That felt super important in that moment.

He held open his arms, and I stepped into them.He wrapped his arms around me, and I had only a fleeting moment of panic as I thought about my girth.I’d missed my walk today with Wally, but we’d start up again tomorrow.

Anything and everything could happen tomorrow.The possibilities were truly endless.

He gave me an extra squeeze before letting me go.“Sleep well, okay?”

I nodded.

After one last look, he took his leave.

I stood there for a long time, processing what had happened, before I headed to bed myself.

Wally curled into my front as I lay on my side.

The hints of smoke in the air were enough to make me jolt up out of an exhausted doze over and over.Sleep was slow in coming.

But come it eventually did.

Chapter16

Jeremy

Walkingin the park with Wally and Phillip felt…normal.

Marcie had spent the past five years trying to excise the word from my vocabulary.Because she’d understood instinctively that Raphael would never fall into the category ofnormal.Even from their birth, they’d been a special child.And Marcie drilled into me that normal was a bad word andexceptionalwas a good one.She was right.Raphael and Thaddeus were exceptional children.

My life, whilenormal, had been way too boring.

Now I had Phillip and Wally in my life, though, things felt fucking fantastic.

Yet still, tranquility and softness permeated, and our walk stirred something inside me.

The vague scent of smoke still lingered in the air, even a block away from the wreckage.We needed a good breeze to send it away once and for all.Either inland or, preferably, out over the ocean.

Wally glanced back, as if making certain Phillip and I were still with him.

No sense explaining to him that as long as the leash was taut, one or both of us was.And that, no matter what, we’d always be there for him.

We rounded the bend on the path farthest away from Fern Avenue.

“Do you think we could head down to the boardwalk?”Phillip didn’t meet my gaze, but continued on.“Maybe grab a sticky bun at Nice Buns?Colin was telling me they’re to die for.And that Ambrose makes them fresh.Colin might’ve also suggested the baker was cute.With, uh, nice buns.”Color rose in his cheeks to a cute blush.

“So you want to check Ambrose out?You know he’s married, right?”

Phillip waved me off.“I’m only trying to be friendly.Trust me, I’m not relationship material.And maybe I shouldn’t go into a bakery.People might think I got fat because of his food.”

I snagged Phillip’s arm.

He stopped abruptly, then turned to face me.

“You don’t need to talk like that.You’re entitled to something sweet.Didn’t you say that you don’t have diabetes?So yes, this treat will have carbs and sugar.You ate a healthy breakfast, and we’ll make certain to have something just as healthy for lunch and dinner.We’re about to walk quite a way, so that counts.You and Wally are doing amazing.If someone thinks otherwise—if someone judges you—then that’s on them.Not you.Certainly not Wally.People can be genuinely fucked up.Some have their own issues, and some are just cruel.Hold your head high.Be proud of how far you’ve come.Believe in yourself.”I rubbed my forehead with the hand not gripping him.“God, I sound like some evangelist.”