To love is to be afraid. You are frightened, deathly terrified, that something will happen to those you love. Think of the possibilities. Does your heart clench with each thought? That, my friend, is love. And love enslaves us all, for you cannot have love without fear.

Time heals all wounds. But not this one. Not yet.

I can feel his presence here in every stone he has touched, every person he has lifted up, every street and alley and city that he has changed in the few years of his life, because he is the Republic, he is our light, and I love you, I love you, until the day we meet again I will hold you in my heart and protect you there, grieving what we never had, cherishing what we did. I wish you were here. I love you, always.

Then I realize from the hollow sound of her gun's click that her gun isn't loaded. Apparently she just wants to slap me around with it.

June has never looked more beautiful than she does now, unadorned and honest, vulnerable yet invincible.

Can one mistake really destroy a lifetime together?

Money is the most important thing in the world, you know. Money can buy you happiness, and I don't care what anyone else thinks.