Under_The_Whispering_Door_by_TJ_Klune

“It’s like you, in a way,” she said. “You need to unlearn all that you know.
I wish I could just flip a switch for you, but that’s not how it works. It’s a
process, Wallace, and it takes time. For me, it started when I was shown the
truth. It changed me, though definitely not right away.” She hopped down
from the counter, though she kept the distance between them. “I do what I do
because I know there’s never been a time in your life when you’ve been more
confused or more vulnerable. And if I can do something to at least alleviate
that a little bit, then so be it. Death isn’t a final ending, Wallace. It is an
ending, sure, but only to prepare you for a new beginning.”
He was stunned when he felt a tear trickle down onto his cheek. He
brushed it away, not able to look at Mei as he did so. “You’re awfully
strange.”
He heard the smile in her voice. “Thank you. That might be the nicest thing
you’ve ever said to me. You’re awfully strange too, Wallace Price.”
Hugo was in front of the fireplace when Wallace left the kitchen, putting logs
in under the direct supervision of Nelson. Apollo sat on his haunches,
looking between the two of them, tongue hanging out of his mouth as he
panted. “Higher,” Nelson said. “Make it a big one. I’ve got a chill in my
bones. Gonna be a cold night. Spring often lies with hints of green and sun.”
“Of course it does,” Hugo said. “Don’t want you to be cold.”
“Absolutely,” Nelson agreed. “I could catch my death, and then where
would you be?”
Hugo shook his head. “I don’t even want to imagine.”
“Good man. Ah, there it is.” The fire grew, the flames bright. “Always
said that having a good fire and good company is all a person needs.”
“Funny,” Hugo said. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you say that before.”
Nelson sniffed. “Then you weren’t listening. I say it all the time. I’m your
elder, Hugo, which means you should be hanging on to my every word and
believing everything I say.”
“I do,” Hugo assured him as he stood. “I couldn’t ignore you if I tried.”
“Damn right,” Nelson said. He tapped his cane on the floor, and he was
back in his pajamas, bunny slippers and all. “That’s better. Wallace, don’t