to another photo. Nathaniel and Gerald at a diner. Gerald laughing, head turned, ear completely visible.
No tattoo. Nothing.
I remembered Nathaniel’s teasing. Gerald had chickened out.
Then another thought hit me. Gerald had started wearing his hair slightly longer around six months earlier.
Six months.
I said it out loud.
The next morning, I went to his house.
“SHOW ME YOUR EAR”
Gerald opened the door in sweatpants and an old T-shirt. The dark circles under his eyes told me he hadn’t slept either.
“I thought you might come.”
I stepped inside. Nathaniel’s old travel mug sat beside the coffee machine. Suddenly I hated seeing it there.
“Turn around.”
Gerald sighed. “Claire.”
“Please.”
He turned his head. In the morning light, the compass was even clearer. Fresh enough that I could still see faint redness.
“When?”
He knew exactly what I meant.
“Six months ago.”
“Why?”
His jaw tightened. “
