When Adam and I stepped out of the garden, we came face to face with his circle of friends, and Noami.

Naomi’s eyes widened when she saw us walking toward them, with our hands clasped.

Claire was growing in anger. But no one paid attention to her.

“Where have you two been? In the garden? Since lunch break?” That was Timothy, his voice drowning in incredulity.

Adam nodded to the statement, returning to his cool as cucumber self, withdrawing into his shell; his smile, stiff.

Noting that, I wished I could drag him back to the cave where his soul had been so lifted and free, and his worries forgotten....