Cymber took another sip of her mimosa and frowned.

  Teri and Sean were surrounded by a circle of laughing kids. Sean was narrating the story of Rumpelstiltskin while Teri illustrated it with cartoon illusions.

  Xeke was sitting on the bench next to the pond running his finger along one of the carvings. Cymber stumbled over to him. “Hey, you … where’s Ruddy? He was supposed to be here an hour ago.”

  “Uh, he’s still with the guys out by the creek. They built a rope swing.”

  “Go get him,” Cymber said. “I’m tired of waiting.”

  “He knows we’re waiting,” Xeke said. “He’s just taking his sweet time, as usual.”

  “Oh.” She plopped down next to him and took a longer pull of her drink.

  “Wow, I can smell that jet fuel from here,” Xeke said. “I’ve never seen you drunk.”

  “You’ve never seen a lot of things.”

  Xeke held his hands up. “You know what? I don’t want to fight. Forget I said anything.”

  “Sorry. I’m not mad at you. I’m mad at Fred. She shouldn’t be sending you away.”

  “You know she wouldn’t do it if she didn’t think it was right. I don’t like it either, but sometimes reality sucks. We of all people should know that. Fred’s doing her best.”

  “Or maybe she’s wrong.”

  Xeke shook his head. Cymber took a closer look at him. His aura was usually steady, if a bit grey. Right now it was a miasma of confusion and pain.

  She took his hands in hers. “I’m sorry, little brother. I know this is hard. You’ll always be part of our family here. No matter what. Don’t forget how far you’ve come.”

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Xeke nodded. “I won’t,” he said. “Hey, there’s your boyfriend now.”

  Ruddy tottered into the clearing. His face and shoulders were sunburned but he didn’t seem to notice. He clutched a bottle in his hand and grinned at everyone.

  He looked toward Cymber and Xeke, and a flicker of darkness shot through his aura.

  She dropped Xeke’s hands and rushed to embrace him.

  “You had me worried,” she whispered. “I was afraid you’d stay there all day, and I’ve been looking forward to spending a little more time with you this afternoon.”

  Ruddy’s face brightened, as did his aura. She found herself gazing at him like a lack-wit.

  “Uh … let’s get you a drink, Ruddy,” she said.

  He took a few steps and almost fell into her.

  “Maybe something light.”

  “You shmell good,” Ruddy said, breathing into Cymber’s neck.

  She smiled and pulled a bit of moss out of his hair. “You smell like a creek.”

  “That’s because of the rope swing. You gotta see it. It’s sooo much fun. You should get your swim suit. Or you could go in your underwear like we did.” He turned red as he pictured Cymber in her underwear.

  She guided his hand behind her. “But I’m not wearing any.”

  Ruddy coughed and took a step back.

  “Get back here.” She grabbed his hair and pulled his face down to hers. “I’ve been waiting all afternoon for this.” She kissed him.

  He froze in place. If he moved it would shatter the moment. She was warm. She was … oh god, she was kissing him.

  He pulled her in and held her. She moaned and pressed her body against his.

  Oh my god, she loves it! He kissed her even harder, exploring further, lifting her heels off the ground. The kiss seemed to go on forever before she broke away.

  “Let’s slow down,” she said. Her face was flushed and she was breathing hard. She pushed her body back against his and put her lips to his ear.

  “We have all night,” she whispered. “Let’s not rush it.”

  She trailed her fingernail down the back of his neck. Goosebumps erupted all over his body.

  “Let me get another mimosa,” she said.

  As she pulled away, the ground started spinning under Ruddy. “Wait, hold on,” he said “I think I need to … uuhhgg ...” He vomited all over his shoes.

  “Oh, no,” she said.

  “I’m fine … it’s fine … just gonna go sit down for a minute …” He took three steps sideways and fell into a tree.

  “Hold on,” he said. He slid down the trunk. “As soon as everything stops spinning, we’ll …” He vomited again.

  Cymber was saying something, but it was too much effort … he couldn’t …

  “I’m gonna … give me … just one second,” he said. “I’m right behind you ...”

  He closed his eyes.