Chapter 18: Preston's Seat

Preston was sitting on the top step outside my door when I came up on Monday morning.

He had no camera and no boot, and his shirt was buttoned correctly.

He stood when he saw me, and he held a paper bag in both hands.

"I won't come in," he said. "I won't film. I want to say something, and then I'm gone."

I put my key in the lock and did not turn it.

"Say it."

"I knew it hurt you." He said it to the floor first, and then he made himself look up.

"Every year I knew. I told myself it was Adeline's game and that I was only a guest."

"You wore my suit."

"I wore your suit, and I liked it." His voice cracked and he kept going.

"I liked being the one she picked. I liked the cheering."

"I could have said no to her any time, and I never did."

"Why are you telling me?"

"Because I watched the stream back. You told me you were ashamed for her, and I had no answer."

He held out the bag.

"These are yours."

I took it.

Inside were my second-best watch, a brass house key, and the pair of gray slippers.

"The key's the old one," he said. "Adeline had the lock changed back the day after the decree."

I turned the slippers over in my hand and almost laughed.

"What will you do?"

"My sister has a spare room in Portland. I start at her husband's company in two weeks."

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