The kettle started to rumble on the stove, although it hadn't yet come to a boil. I threaded my fingers and rested both hands under my chin. Yes. She had mentioned that young man before — or at least, I assumed he was young based on what kind of world Kathy lived in; maybe that was a mistake. At the time, I had come to the belief that he was the only real one in Kathy's world that left some kind of unfinished business. She was ready to resign herself in other ways, having been trained since infancy to be a replacement. A means to extend the lives of others.

But where this Tommy was concerned, she seemed to have doubts. And doubt was a powerful thing.

"You know what love is. Every human who comes to feel for others know what love is, even if they can't put it into so many words, and even if they can't explain it," I said firmly. I hated acknowledging the times I'd been in love. Only one was halfway real, and it was the experience I most wanted to wipe from my memory. Because even the thought of it gave me ache and hurt.

"Do you want to see that boy again?"