My heart pounds in my chest. I can’t do it. I turn to leave.

The door opens. “Jason?” she asks, half-awake. “What’s wrong?”

I’m committed now. After this, she may think I should be.

“Claire…” My voice catches. Just do it, dammit! “I… We…” Coward, I curse myself.

“Get in out of the rain,” she says, worry tainting a voice I’ve always found musical. “I’ll put on some tea, and…”

“No!” I blurt out. “No, if I come in, I’ll lose my nerve completely. Come up with yet another lie to keep from saying what I have to say. What I’ve wanted to say for so long.”

Now, she really looks concerned. “It must be something important.” A slight smile. “In fifteen years, that’s the most I’ve ever heard you say at one time.”

“You’ll hear a lot more from me. I’m not sure how much you’ll believe, or how much you’ll want to. But if I don’t tell you now, I may never get the chance again.”

“Jason, you’re scaring me.” She stops, suddenly, frowning. “Woah. Deja vu. Serious deja vu.”

“Claire, you have no idea…”