“That's stupid. I said no because you don't love me.- John”

“I love you.”I stared stupidly at him. Was he joking again, reciting another line from my story? I didn’t remember writing this.He leaned in and kissed me. I didn’t respond for a few seconds. My mind lagged behind what my body was feeling.“Say it,” he whispered against my lips. “I know this is hard for you. Tell me.”“I love you.” Hearing my own words, I gasped at the rush of emotion.He put his hands on either side of my jaw and took my mouth with his.”

“Or that I couldn’t stand to watch anything bad happen to you, because it was like it was happening to me too.Is that love?”His hand clasped my hand again and squeezed.I swallowed. “It could be.”

“Why can't he be the prostitute, and I the john?”

“Her dad turned to me. "You. Follow Me.""Woof," I said.”

“This was about to go very bad, because Adam was going to cry. “I miss you,” he said, and his voice broke.”

“Finally he said, "I am sorry for it. His mama didn't teach him right." My mama didn't teach me right either, I thought, and I don't act that way. I kept rocking.”