JESS SIMON

Standing in the open doorway, Jess watched Evelyn hurry back across the Circle to her house.

“What was that about?” Gandalf stood behind Jess, wrapped her arms around her, and nuzzled her neck.

“I have no clue. She wanted to know about the ceremony tomorrow, but I have no idea why. And then she started talking about hating Dr. Blum. About something that happened to her at the hospital when he was in charge.”

“What happened to her?” Gandalf asked.

“She didn’t say. And then she ran home. She seemed very upset.”

“Strange,” Gandalf said.

“People are strange,” Jess agreed. “And unhappy.”

“Not us, of course.”

Jess thought about that. Were they happy? Neither one of them had wanted to leave Manhattan, but it had seemed necessary for Gandalf’s mental stability. After testifying against the federal agents who kidnapped and interrogated her, Gandalf felt powerful for a few days, then became terrified that they would be back to kill her. They tried moving to another apartment, even got married and Gandalf took Jess’s last name. Finally, they gave up and left the city.

Jess reached under Gandalf’s sweater for the gold wizard charm she had given her beloved, warm from Gandalf’s skin, and kissed it.

“Love you, wizard,” she whispered.