Okay, everyone, Jo said, let’s just take a deep breath.

Large exhales from around the room. I glanced over and Leslie seemed to be hyperventilating. Emily put her arm on her shoulder—Les?

Jo came over and sat down beside them—Deep breaths, love, deep breaths.

Leslie nodded. Gradually, she began to calm.

Wow, Mia said, as if not yet fully emerged from a dream. Her face had a sheen of sweat, and there were strands of hair in her mouth, which she gently pulled away.

That was—Shawn looked for the word.

Insane, Kyle said, in wonder.

It wasn’t insane, it was beautiful, Emily said.

I know, that’s what I mean.

It’s not insane.

Felt absolutely amazing, Leslie said, still catching her breath.

Mia motioned over her stomach—That heat.

It got super intense, Kyle said. I thought my chest was going to explode.

I felt like I was going to orgasm, Leslie said, deadpan. The group burst into laughter. I’m serious, she insisted.

No, honestly, Shawn said. For real.

Me too, Damian said, laughing. It was the first time I had seen Damian laugh. It made him look softer and younger.

Well I sure must have been doing something wrong, Nora said, crestfallen. Jo asked her what she felt and Nora shrugged.

Did you feel anything?

I wish. From the sounds of it.

But you heard The Hum?

Yes of course, I hear it always.

Did you feel it expand inside of you? Jo asked. Nora shook her head. Did it get louder?

A little, maybe. Maybe I focused on it more clearly.

It got so loud for me I almost couldn’t take it, Mia said.

Howard gave Nora a sympathetic smile—Give it time. There’s no rush.

Leslie gestured to the mess on the floor—I really am sorry about the lamp.

Honestly, don’t worry, Jo said, it was a gift from his old boss.

I still feel like I’m burning up, Kyle said. Like—here. He reached over, took my hand, and placed it on his forehead. His skin was hot to the touch.

I’m still hot too, Mia said, and Damian said he was as well.

I’m hot . . . and I’m wet, Leslie said, matter-of-factly, prompting more laughter.

Good god, Emily said, looking playfully mortified.

Just saying!

Amen, Shawn replied, with solemnity.

Was that the tuning? I asked, looking to Jo, and then to Howard.

It was, just for a moment, he replied.

But what exactly happened?

You just felt it.

I told him I didn’t know what I felt.

How did you do that? Mia asked Jo.

I didn’t do a thing. That was all The Hum. You just opened yourself up to it. It can give you migraines and nosebleeds or it can, well—

Make you cum, Shawn said.

Yes.

Kyle looked both bemused and slightly repulsed—Seriously?

If you let it.

Have you? he asked Jo.