I yawn and think 'v goin' back - home - t'get another cup 'a coffee. I never drank it 'afore Kate, and now some days it feels like I can't even get out 'v the - our - house without it.

She's definitely more 'v a mornin' person than me. I had hardly rubbed the sleep out 'a my eyes when she gave me a present, little gingerbread figures in a jar. She'd told me 'bout Valentine's when she was a girl 'afore today, so even though we never really celebrated it out on the farms I knew what it meant.

I tied some ribbon Johnny gave me t'her door 'afore I left this mornin', purple 'n white 'n red braided together. I hope we got back together, so I can see her face when she sees it.

The market's crowded, more 'n usual. Folks 'r talkin' a bit too loud, tryin' too hard t'act happy 'n carefree like they wasn't just bayin' fer blood not too long ago. I get some looks from folks, and 'f it's fer Kate 'r few what happened I can't tell.

"Good morning Mr. Laclos," I greet him as I cross his path. I never found out 'f Hermia 'r Glass told him 'bout Wanda - I hope they did. The more folks as know, the easier it'll be t'take steps.

"How're you doin'? Is Hermia well?"