harkindanish

@@@@@?Hungry, kid?? ?Uh? I'm not sure,? Jamie admitted?I feel real hollow, but it doesn't feel?bad? ?That's the No Pain,? I said ?And drink,? Doc said Jeb let the unwieldy box fall onto the mattress?Thought we might have a bit of a celebration ?Wow, yum!? Jamie said, pawing through the box of dehydrated meals of the sort that hikers used ?Dibs on the garlic chicken,? Jeb said?I've been missin' garlic quite a bit?though I imagine no one misses it on my breath Jeb was prepared, with bottles of water and several portable stovesPeople began to gather around, squeezing together in the small spaceI was wedged between Jared and Ian, and I'd pulled Jamie onto my lapThough he was much too old for this, he didn't protestHe must have sensed how much both of us needed that?Mel and Ihad to feel him alive and healthy and in our arms The shimmering circle seemed to widen, enveloping the entire late-night supper party, making them family, tooEveryone waited contentedly for Jeb to prepare the unexpected treats, in no hurryFear had been replaced by relief and happy newsEven Kyle, compressed into the small space on the other side of his brother, was not unwelcome in the circle Melanie sighed in contentmentShe was vibrantly aware of the warmth of the boy in my lap and the touch of the man who still stroked his hand against my armShe wasn't even upset by Ian's arm around my shoulders You're feeling the No Pain, too,I teased her I don't think it's the No PainThis is more than I've ever had This is so much of what I lost