“In one of the tents, Julian is sleeping. And in another: Alex”

“Over the past week, I’ve accepted that I will never love Julian as much as I loved Alex. But now that idea is overwhelming, like a wall between us. I will never love Julian like I love Alex.”

“Alex loved books. He was the one who first introduced me to poetry. That's another reason I can't read anymore.”

“At least when I'm sleeping I can dream myself back to Alex, can dream myself into a different world.”

“Everyone is asleep. They've all been asleep for years. You seemed ... awake.' Alex is whispering now. He closes his eyes, opens them again.'I'm tired of sleeping.”

“Alex.”

“I’m with Julian,” I say at last. This, after all, is what I have chosen.”