Roberta and Peter were in the process of a trial. I’d asked Taylor if she needed me to come back. She had told me that no, I was not involved in the investigations. It required her, the cops that had found her and the paramedics. A few low level people in Bullsen’s organization had flipped on him. The trial took a long damn time. Luckily, they were both behind bars while they waited. No one would post bail. Which was good. I was able to focus on what I needed to do and know that Taylor remained safe.

It took me about two months before I was ready to spread Endgame’s ashes.

I brought the triple bagged remains in an intricate box with gold foil. He probably hated it. The day had a slight mist to it. The cottage had a wall of ivy growing on it. In the distance I could see the hilly main part of the village dotted with orangey rooftops. It was scenic and lovely. And it made me miss Taylor.

But this morning was about this troubled man that I had loved in the past.

I set the box down on the wrought iron table that I usually had my coffee on and took a seat. My closest neighbors were a brisk walk away, so I had privacy.

“Remember when I said I’d take you to France someday?”

The only answer I had was my memory of the conversation.

Endgame smoking, leaning out the window of my place. “Why would we go there? Fuck that.”

“I hear it’s beautiful. Relaxing.” I had come up next to him and placed my hand on his shoulder.

He scowled at my fingertips before grazing them with his lips. “You wanna go? Let’s go.”

The smoke had been pushed back into the room, the wind changing course. It was a short conversation, but it meant much more.

I had wanted Endgame to see what he was worth. Know that he didn’t have to sabotage happiness because he was afraid to hope for good things. And now look where it got him.

“What was your first memory?” He and I were lying naked in his bed. At that point we were broken up, but we had slipped back again.

“Oh, crap. Huh. I guess the first thing I really remember is getting ice cream with Dad. It was a special treat because my mom had to go visit her aunt. It was just the two of us. Had a great time, from what I remember. Probably helps that I’ve seen the pictures of it and everything.”

He snorted. “Man, it’s like we lived on different planets.”

I had been almost afraid to ask, but I felt like I had to. “What about you?”