Exton

My breath catches in my throat when I see Wolf staring out at me from the drawing. It's him, true to life, lacking only color to make it live.

I look from the drawing to Star, and from Star back to the drawing. "This is mine?," I manage. "To keep?" She nods; I can see the faintest beginnings of a smile twitch across her lips.

"Oh, Star," I say with heartfelt honesty, "no one has ever given me such a gift as this. Thank you from my heart."

And then, unthinking, I draw her into a hug. A second later I remember, but by then it's too late. I hold her, scarcely daring to breathe, hoping that I haven't frightened the poor girl out of her wits.