Chapter 10Three things had me eager to rise the next morning with the sun: The bleeding heart plant out in the yard, the rest of Pennsylvania and Ewan’s tale, and emptying my bladder.
Only one of those things proved satisfying.
“No.” The bleeding heart stem looked more withered than it had the day before. In fact, most people would have yanked it from the ground and called it a loss—dead. Of course, I wasn’t most people.
“Look,” I said to it. “I don’t know why I’m hanging so much on your weak, tiny shoulders, little lady, but I need you to live. I need you to bloom. I have the story, the one I’m reading, but I need your hearts. I just do. Give me a sign, Ewan.” I looked up. “Send down some love, Pennsylvania. Wherever you are. Make her grow. Make her bloom. For Ezra.”
* * * *
“Pennsyl
