Last Light

by Claire Kent

mean what I say. Men can’t make it now without women any more than women can make it without men. We need each other.” He clears his throat and avoids my eyes. “I need you. Like you need me.” “You do?”

“Just because I’m small doesn’t mean I’m helpless.” He glances at me with raised eyebrows. “I never said you were.”

“Not goin’ on your own,” he says. “Anywhere. Not anymore. I was tryin’ to give you space before. Be… respectful. Not crowd you. But that ends now. I’m not lettin’ you out of my sight.”

“What is it, Layne? I’ll do anythin’ you need me to do.” His expression is sincere. It looks like he means it.