We both liked to spend time with each other, and the remaining days of summer were absorbed with full felicity.

The Chrysanthemum residence seemed happier as well, and the gloom diminished. The staff were vaguely pleased that Casimir and I had become good friends. Something about him had changed.
He had a sort of glow about him, and he smiled a lot more. He didn’t seem to get sick as much, and it was as if he had finally been set free, like a prisoner in chains or a dove in a cage.

One night, we decided to go outside and look at the stars. The last time we had seen the stars together, it had been through a window. Now, on a large blanket were two lawn chairs, along with Casimir’s telescope. He had probably set it up earlier that day and wanted to surprise me.
We sat close together, and Casimir held my hand. The stars twinkled above us, and the moon could be seen as clear as day.