WHEN THE CABIN DOOR squawked open, who knew how long later, I still hadn’t moved from the swivel chair. I lifted my head from the spot it had adopted in my hands, to Jem’s entrance.
Behind her came Poppy, trusty sidekick and all-round best friend.
One glance at me, and Jem halted. “Kyle?”
Poppy’s too-wise eyes peeked around Jem’s shoulder, her mass of red curls framing them. “How you doing, sweetie?”
“Hey, Poppy, I’m ...” I trailed off with a frown, unsure how to finish—certainly unable to mutter my accustomed ‘good’. “You?”
She smiled, but it held more sympathy than pleasure. “I’m doing okay.”
“Poppy, can you give me a minute?” Jem asked.
“Sure, hon.” After one more smile that her eyes didn’t share, Poppy about-turned and left the two of us alone.
Without speaking, Jem padded arou
