Sophia stood silently with Aviary before the altar. She spent most of the time—how much time?—trying to keep herself together. It seemed a while before the tidal wave inside her finally settled.
Aviary reached down to take Calvin’s photo. ‘We can’t keep these,’ she said. ‘We need to let them go.’
Sophia breathed slowly, deeply, and retrieved her own photos and the business card. She couldn’t think clearly enough and was grateful Aviary led her beyond the altars to a cluster of small fires in Central Park. People were drawn to them. They stayed for a time, mesmerized, and then left. Sophia realized why when Aviary held Calvin’s photo tightly between pressed thumbs. The flame revealed dried tears on Aviary’s face.
‘Calvin Keli’i,’ Aviary said, placing the photo in the fire.
Sophia watche
