Page 191 of Brighter Together

“Ella?”

“Shh.”

I look down at her.

“I have something to say.”

“I’m watching the sunset.”

“Bossy.”

“Quiet.”

Fine.

If I’m not allowed to talk, I’ll improvise.

I reach into my pocket.

Then place the little blue box on my stomach, directly above the hand she currently has tucked beneath my shirt.

Ella goes completely still.

Slowly, she lifts her head.

Her eyes drop to the box.

Then to me.

“What’s that?”

“I’m not allowed to talk.”

“Tommy.”

I grin.

She sits up. “What is that?” she whispers.

I take the box and sit up beside her.

Suddenly, after carrying the bloody thing around for a week, my mouth is dry.

Ella looks from the box to me.

“Tommy?”

“I had a speech.”

Her eyes widen.

“Oh fuck,” she says.

“That is not particularly encouraging.”

“Sorry.”

She presses both hands over her mouth.