Page 117 of Falcon’s Forever

"When I was deciding where to live."

"That was different."

"Why?"

Because it was easier when I was the one handing out the advice. She sees it on my face before I say anything.

"Thought so," she says.

"You're very annoying since you got shot."

"I was annoying before that too."

"True."

Her expression softens. "You don't have to decide whether you trust him forever. You can decide whether you trust what he does today."

Frankie would be proud. I hate that too.

"Last night I did," I say, thinking of the porch, his hands, the fence.

"So that's something."

"Yes."

"It doesn't fix what happened." She’s smart.

"No."

"It doesn't have to," she says, and there's that idea again, building something instead of repairing what's already gone. Falcon said almost the same thing, standing in the same yard, not that many hours ago.

A light comes on outside the window. We both look, and Emily stiffens.

"Security update?" she asks.

I check. Nothing new.

"Probably the patrol rotation."

"Can we see?"

We move to the window, not close enough to press against the glass, but close enough to check. A man crosses the far side of the yard, and I recognize the walk before the phone even confirms it.

Security Phone:

Night patrol change. Sterling on temporary rooms. Zip on east perimeter.

Emily reads it over my shoulder. "That's better."

"What is?"

"Knowing what's happening out there instead of just hearing it."

"Yes."

We go back to the bed, and she hesitates before climbing in. "Can I stay here? Just until I fall asleep."

"Of course."