"Yes. We made lots of paper boats, but we didn't catch the fishy."
"You didn't get wet, did you?" Rob asked seeing him wave his hand around.
"Just my hand," Danny said.
As Danny held out his hand, Rob checked it out. "And your sleeve a little. Let's roll it up."
Comparing it to his other sleeve, Danny held it out to be rolled up too. The way Rob was with him, so kind and patient, it touched Julian so much. Rob had that rough edge to him, but he was so sweet to Danny. Julian just wanted to stay like this, to hold on to the two of them, to this moment.
As they were heading to the car, Julian told Rob, "I honestly don't know what I would do without you. Thank you for wanting to stay."
"I'm happy to be here," Rob said. "Life out in the country isn't so bad. I haven't gone on picnics or had days like this since my mom died. I've been missing out." He turned to gaze at Julian and gave him a feeling of hope that was so strong it hurt.
