Если я останусь

           Myparentshadnevermentionedanyrulesonthisissue,butIhadafeelingthattheyknewwhatwashappeningwithAdamandme,andeventhoughDadlikedtoplayitallFatherKnowsBest,inreality,heandMomweresuckerswhenitcametolove.

           Adamlaydownonmybed,stretchinghisarmsabovehishead.Hiswholefacewasgrinning—eyes,nose,mouth."Playme,"hesaid.

           "What?"

           "Iwantyoutoplaymelikeacello."

           Istartedtoprotestthatthismadenosense,butthenIrealizeditmadeperfectsense.Iwenttomyclosetandgrabbedoneofmysparebows."Takeoffyourshirt,"Isaid,myvoicequavering.

           Adamdid.Asthinashewas,hewassurprisinglybuilt.Icould’vespenttwentyminutesstaringatthecontoursandvalleysofhischest.Buthewantedmecloser.Iwantedmecloser.

           Isatdownnexttohimonthebedsohislongbodywasstretchedoutinfrontofme.ThebowtrembledasIplaceditonthebed.IreachedwithmylefthandandcaressedAdam’sheadasifitwerethescrollofmycello.Hesmiledagainandclosedhiseyes.Irelaxedalittle.IfiddledwithhisearsasthoughtheywerethestringpegsandthenIplayfullytickledhimashelaughedsoftly.IplacedtwofingersonhisAdam’sapple.Then,takingadeepbreathforcourage,Iplungedintohischest.Iranmyhandsupanddownthelengthofhistorso,focusingonthesinewsinhismuscles,assigningeachoneastring—A,G,C,D.Itracedthemdown,oneatatime,withthetipofmyfingers.Adamgotquietthen,asifhewereconcentratingonsomething.