Chapter Twenty Four
Twenty Four
It’s time for them to get down on the floor.
The room is getting smokier. What was a light haze near the ceiling has grown thicker, visible in the light from the fire.
She takes off her robe. She reaches for the belt of his, unknots it, and slips the robe off his shoulders. The last time she’ll undress him.
They embrace. He inhales the scent of her hair.
She brings the bottle of whiskey. They lie down beside the bed, on the window side. She pulls the sheet down so they’re covered, like children in a blanket fort.
They lie face-to-face. She uncaps the bottle and takes a swig, dribbling some on the floor. She passes it to him.
I was looking forward to falling asleep with you, he says. We’ll never get to do that. We’ll never do a lot of…I’m sorry, I can’t…I don’t think I can…
He’s gripped by overwhelming fear. Shaking, almost shaking to pieces. She holds him.
I’ve been so small, he whispers. So small!
So have I, she says. So has everyone. Small is what we are.
Breathe, okay? Breathe. We’re still here.