Brooke pressed her cheek to Gordie's chest, listening to his heartbeat and sniffling.
"Brooke..."
"Be quiet," she snapped. "I am busy trying not to cry and I can't do it when I hear your voice!"
"Brooke, we're still going to see each other," he insisted. "We're not breaking up. There's phone calls and letters and--"
"And goodbyes," she interrupted. "What if--what if when we see each other again at Thanksgiving, it's totally awkward and there's no more feeling left!"
"Just because we're going to different colleges in the fall doesn't mean we're going to drift apart," he promised. "If anything, we'll be happier to see each other than ever. Absence makes the heart grow stronger, you know."
"I hate cliches," she grumbled. "That's why I love you."
He kissed her cheek, the top of her head, the bridge of her nose. "I love you too, Brooke. I love you no matter where I am."
She smiled and wiped her eyes.
"Besides. We have to keep Cat in mind," he reminded her. "We have to stay together for the cat."
"Guys!" Vern called, running up to Gordie and Brooke. Gordie couldn't think of a time when he'd seen Vern bursting with more excitement. "Guys, oh my God, she said yes!"
Cassie trailed behind, smiling shyly but without restraint.
"Said yes to what?" Gordie asked, looking back and forth between them.
Brooke's eyes widened as she squeezed Gordie's hand suddenly. "Oh my God, are you engaged?"
Cassie smiled while Vern bobbed his head up and down, his bright blue eyes bluer than ever with excitement and anticipation flashing in innocence.
While Gordie hugged Vern, Brooke squeaked and grinned at Cassie giddily. "Cassie! You of all people! Do you have a ring?"
"I have his school ring--Vern! Put the camera away!"
"Sorry! I couldn't resist!"
Cassie smiled with fond patience. "Anyway. He gave me his high school ring, because he can't afford an engagement ring yet. But he's going to stay back here in Castle Rock and work--"
"I got a job working a FORKLIFT!" Vern cried happily.
"Oh no, sandboxes of the world, beware," Gordie said.
"--While I'm away at university," Cassie finished.
"My fiancé's going to PRINCETON!" Vern declared.
Beaming, Cassie said, "So there's all the time in the world for work and school and rings and...Mwah, Brooke, thanks for pointing out that I'm not a complete heartless ball-buster."
Brooke smiled back, the couple's excitement somehow calming her. Maybe it was because it gave her a little hope, because they did have all the time in the world.
Gordie looked over at her, wondering what she was thinking about as a breeze picked up and blew a tendril of hair across her face. He tucked the hair behind her ear, and they briefly smiled at each other. Then a flash of white light momentarily blinded them.
"Vern," Cassie scolded. "I told you to stop taking pictures."
"I can't help it!" he exclaimed. "Everything's just so...right."
----------------------
The photograph Vern took captured a boy risen from sadness and a girl transparently strong staring at one another with an intense affection. Gordie's fingers touched Brooke's with the softness he might use to stroke a butterfly's colours--scared to break her wings, but daring to take a chance and help her fly anyway.