William stops in front of the camellias and says, “Cami.”849Please respect copyright.PENANA1ySaA5tODP
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There are three others there—and older woman and two girls. One of the girls is the wild-haired girls with crimson spectacles. Josephine thinks of the last time she saw this girl, when the girl put her hand to Josephine’s cheek. Her breath catches at the memory.849Please respect copyright.PENANA6brYqABmvc
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The other is a rather lovely, softly curvy girl with dark hair. Her eyes are filled with tears.849Please respect copyright.PENANAdZrtsfirLA
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He smiles at the girl in a way that makes Josephine ache. The girl with the crimson spectacles strides over so she stands before Josephine, her hand held out.849Please respect copyright.PENANAYCt6FHa4XM
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Turning her head, she says to William, “Just do it. Touch her.”849Please respect copyright.PENANAQdu8QcvEYj
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He wraps his hand around that of the girl standing before him. Almost immediately, he seems to dim, while the wild-haired girl grows brighter. The two girls speak to each other, but Josephine can’t hear them. She can’t hear anything beyond the buzzing in her ears.849Please respect copyright.PENANAqNcGAZM3Ic
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The wild-haired girl still has her hand up in front of Josephine.849Please respect copyright.PENANAv6mWUVW8UU
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“Please,” he says.849Please respect copyright.PENANAg7NYsr2oMg
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Josephine can only watch as the other girl puts her arms around William’s neck and kisses him. He’s made his choice. It seems there’s nothing for Josephine to do but let go with dignity.849Please respect copyright.PENANAPl6PpSsDJM
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She presses her palm against the wild-haired girl’s.849Please respect copyright.PENANA1CMWJT8v6o