Yes, love meant hell to pay sometimes. But love also meant hell had the brightest ribbons and seams of heaven woven in, because could it really be hell if someone who loved you refused to let you hurt alone?
“How did you find out about Auden?” St. Sebastian asked after a minute. “Did the police know?”
When his mother didn’t answer right away, he cracked open his eyes and then immediately regretted it, shutting them again. Jennifer kissed his forehead and stood up.
“I’m going to see about more pain medicine,” she said in English.
“You didn’t answer,” he complained.
Another pause. “No,” she said finally. “I didn’t find out from the police.”
And then he heard her leave the room before he could ask any more questions.
Before he was able to leave the hospital the next day, the docto
