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“Everyone likes Ben immediately,” he replies.

I can only nod in agreement. We walk in silence the rest of the way to the park, where we find Monty and Roger sitting on a bench near the lake.

Roger has his head on his paws, watching the swans and whining loudly.

When he sees us, his tail begins to wag and I kneel down beside him to rub his soft, floppy ears.

“Well, howdy there!” Monty says warmly when he sees us. “Where’s that no-account Father Ben gotten to today?”

“He’s…uh…visiting someone…at the hospital,” Theo says, passing over the containers of food we brought.

“Oh, yeah,” Monty muses. “I was wondering if his granny was still hanging in there.”

Theo’s eyes go wide. “His…his grandma?”

“Sure,” Monty says, popping open a container of hot chili and digging in with a plastic spoon from the bag. “She’s been sick for a while now, and he goes to visit whenever his sister’s in town or something.”

Theo sinks onto the park bench beside him with a loud sigh. “His sister?”

“Yeah, she’s some big, hot shot real estate gal always jetting around between here and Mexico, but since Ben doesn’t–” Monty stops suddenly and glances between me and Theo. “Not sure I’m ‘spose to be telling you two this if he hasn’t already.”

“It’s alright,” Theo says softly.

“Ben’s had some hard times, ya know? But he’s just private like that. Doesn’t want anyone feeling sorry for him.”

“I unde rstand,” Theo replies. “Are you gonna be alright when it starts really getting colder next week, Monty? My dad knows a veteran’s shelter down in Brooksville. It’s pet friendly…and warm. I’m sure we could take you.”

“Ah, me and Roger’ll manage just fine, like we always do,” Monty tells him with a toothless smile.

“You just get this pretty lady home and keep her warm, alright?” He winks at me and I smile back while Theo arranges the rest of the bags beside him on the bench.

Roger, apparently sensing that we are about to go, leans his head into me, nearly knocking me over as I laugh.

Monty has to pull him off me and Theo helps me to my feet, then takes my hand and squeezes it while I kiss Roger goodbye on the nose.

“Perhaps you should adopt a dog,” I suggest as we walk away from them.

Theo shakes his head. “Dogs are loud and furry, and they have to be taken outside all the time. Plus, if you don’t give them something to do, they just chew on stuff.”

“Well, that is not much different than Ben,” I say. Theo looks surprised, but then lets out a loud belly laugh.

“Annie, did you just tell a joke?” he asks, pulling me into him and slipping his arm around my waist.

“I believe I did,” I reply with a wide, satisfied grin.

We stop again on our way home and purchase what Theo calls ‘couch day snacks’–chips, pretzels, candy, and popcorn.

He helps me pick out the spiciest flavors, then we take everything home and array the bags on the coffee table.

We both change into more comfortable clothing and curl up against each other’s bodies to continue our marathon of Clone Wars .

Every so often, Theo checks his phone. Ben is still at the same location, but texts Theo several times, which seems to calm his nerves.

As for me, I try to forget. Forget what I am, and what I am supposed to be doing, and what could happen when Ben’s exorcist arrives.

I want it to be enough–to only have these few weeks, to experience even just a taste of this life, but I know it never will be.

Ben said that if I were taken back, he would find a way to rescue me.

This might just be human bravado, but I desperately wish it could be true.

I decide that, if I am recalled now, I will never stop trying to find a way back to them.

Come Hell or high water, just as Ben told me.

When Theo gets up to use the restroom, I look at his phone. He has left it open, displaying his conversation with Ben.

I can’t believe you’re watching it without me

You didn’t even want to watch Clone Wars in the first place!

You said you already know how it ends so it was pointless and depressing

I know, but I still can’t believe it

How’s she doing?

She’s ok

Well you aren’t nearly as fun as me

She’s probably just bored ??

She thinks you aren’t coming back, Ben

Idk if she can even feel normal emotions, but she seems real ly sad

There is no response from Ben. I have never sent a text before, but I desperately want to talk to him myself, so I take the phone and slowly type my own message.

Ben, this is Annie

Hey beautiful girl

What did you do with Theo?

I believe he sent you a photo of what we did

Naughty ??

Be gentle with him, Annie

Or you’ll be in trouble

Please tell me you are coming back

There is a long pause before he replies, and I find myself holding my breath as I wait.

I am, mi amor

I promise

Before I can reply, Theo returns and sees me holding his phone. His eyebrows go up, but he does not seem angry. I pass it over to him silently, and he looks at the messages.

“Well, at least you got him to tell you he’s coming back,” he says, flopping onto the couch. I lean into his chest, and he puts his arm around me, then pulls the blanket around us.

“When he does come back, will you ask him about what Monty said?”

“He promised he’d give us an explanation anyway, so I’m hoping I won’t have to.” We fall back into silence as Theo resumes the show.

Eventually, he falls into a fitful sleep, and I keep him warm by pushing Hellfire through my body.

He begins to mutter, twitching and groaning.

I cannot tell what he is dreaming of, but he clings to me like I am his lifeline, and I hold him too.

I am not certain how to soothe him, so I attempt singing, adjusting my human vocal cords so the sound is low and gentle.

The only song I know by heart now is the one Ben and I danced to, so I sing that.

It appears to help, and I spend the rest of the night with him wrapped in my arms, wondering how much longer I have here.

In the middle of the night, I take his phone out and use his finger to unlock it, then type a single message to Ben.

I think I miss you. Please come home to us. — A