Once we’d crossed, I called Cynthia and told her that we’d found Roman and returned him to Brittany. She thanked me, because she’d been worrying—just as I knew she would. “Do you think he’ll do this again?” Cynthia said. “I don’t know. I hope not. But I think we’d better be ready for it. Brittany warned us it’s a long process, pulling someone back.” “So she did. Well, take care. I’d better go. Jim’s grumbling.” When Tor and I got home, he turned on both lamps in the living room. The bright colored glow through the Tiffany shades comforted me. I flopped into an armchair and stretched my aching legs out in front of me. “You need chi,” Tor said. “Then I’ll fix something for dinner. I’m really hungry.” Tor turned off the air conditioner and opened the east window. The night air, scented with the neighbor’s honeysuckle, swept over me. Tor pulled élan from the night air and sent it flowing over me. I opened my mouth and gulped it in, swallowed and savored it, as if I drank down some beautiful liquor.
