I don’t know if he can read your memories of the things you learn here, but it seems like he can’t.’ ‘Why didn’t you tell me any of this ea...lier? Like, any of the other times I became one with the aether?’ ‘You didn’t know any of those things before. I am an extension of your subconscious. My knowledge is informed by your experiences. Now that your mind has been manipulated by another-while you slept-we know a great deal more about how things really work.’ ‘Makes sense,’ Jack quietly said. He. Dave ... and Nicky ... far too much to spend eternity without them,” Chelsea asserted for her part.“I don’t care if Nicky is a boy, girl, futa, whatever ... Nicky is my soulmate. When Nicky’s soul goes, so does mine. Forever. Even if it did mean torment, I would be there to suffer it at Nicky’s side. Same is true with Dave, he is beloved ... he is papi, too ... though Nicky is my soulmate. I think it’s the opposite for Chelsea, isn’t it, Chels. You adore Nicky, but for you, Dave comes first,”. “Are we ready?” I asked. It was a genuine question and had more to do with our mental states that any preparation we did over the last half hour.“Yes.” Chris replied but didn’t sound convincing.“Yes,” said Jake.Joey only nodded.We were nervous. It was understandable but this had to be done. Madison had to be taught that she couldn’t fuck with me anymore.“Let’s go,” I said quietly.The three girls sat on the floor in a semi-circle. The layout of the TV and couch promoted having their backs to us. We just never seemed to mesh.’ ‘I’m sure that one day you’ll find the right woman.’ He nodded, his eyes dark and expressive. ‘I think you’re right. Timing is everything.’ I felt a shiver of something I didn’t understand shoot through me and I hurriedly looked at my watch. ‘Just look at the time! We need to get a move on.’ His expression told me I wasn’t fooling anyone, but in truth, it was already late in the afternoon and I needed to get back to the funeral home. While he paid for lunch, I.