Page 19

“Wonderful.”

A rough sound comes out of me before I expect it. Laura stops. So do I.

Her eyes brighten. “That was a laugh.”

I had not known. I try to make it happen again and fail.

“Probably better if you don’t force it.”

She leans against the counter. “Do the pieces have an order?”

I search for one. There is none. “No.”

“How far back do your memories go?”

I cannot find a beginning. There are only pieces, then fewer pieces, until reaching farther makes them disappear.

“Do not know.”

“Okay.”

She studies me for a second, then asks, “There’s something else I need to ask. Do you want to be here?”

I know the words. I am less certain of the answer.

“Here.”

“With me. In my house.” She unfolds her arms. “I wished for something, and then you showed up. Blair and I talked about whether that could be wrong.”

I know wrong.

“I don’t know what happened tonight,” Laura continues. “I don’t know if I made you, woke you, or called you. But whatever I did, you don’t owe me anything. You don’t have to want me.”

There is too much in that sentence for my mouth, so I start with the part I understand best.

“Do not know.”

Laura becomes very quiet. Her hand settles flat against the counter.

“You don’t know if you want to be here?”

“Yes.”

She draws a breath. “That makes sense. You’ve been alive for about an hour.”

I think about what she said, then say, “You do not know either.”

“Know what?”

“If want me.”

Color rises in her face. “I wanted someone. I didn’t know there was a you.”

“Want me now?”

Laura looks at me for a moment. “I’m glad you’re here. I want to get to know you. That’s what I know.”

I understand that answer.