The department story shone from various corners and racks. I heard the word No, from Sean. Then his: “Shush.”

But I wasn’t talking–yet. But he was about to–but had not–yet. He knew me so well. Every utterance of the last few weeks was calculated as one of his software programs. He never asked me a Yes or No question since the date we met. And I avoided these yes and no’s too. Because I was always sure what he would say.

And knew I would talk before he did. Hence: Shush. But he didn’t stop me. I uttered words as he did, and soon our shouts rang up through the hallowed walls of the department store, until security was called.