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her throat. “One of my favorite memories of Nate was the time he stood up for me
    in elementary school. Three older boys were bullying me and Nate tore into them. He came out of it
    with a bloody nose and a black eye, but none of the other boys were standing.”
    “I remember that.” Dylan couldn’t help a little smile. “When we heard what happened, it was one
    of the things that sealed the Circle.”
    “Nate was always rescuing animals and people.” Belle’s smile was soft as Dylan looked at her.
    “He had a good heart.”
    “G.I. Joe was a rescue.” Dylan glanced at Leon. “Thanks for giving him a good home.”
    “It’s only been a couple of days, but Joe is already becoming part of the family.” Leon sounded
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a little choked up. “The kids love him.”
    Marta brushed a tear from her eyes. “Few people knew he was behind some of the best practical
    jokes.”
    The corner of Tom’s mouth curved. “Most of the time the only people who knew were the six of
    us.”
    Leon cupped his palms in front of his chest in a gesture that indicated extra-large breasts. “How
    about junior high, when Nate stole Misty Brubaker’s bra out of her gym bag when she was showering
    after pom-pom practice?”
    Tom held up his hand as if placing something up high. His medical alert bracelet for his blood
    disorder glinted as he moved his wrist. “Not only did Nate steal Misty’s bra, but he pinned it above
    Mr. Bishop’s chalkboard the next morning.”
    Belle shook her head. “She was mortified.”
    “Damn, but that girl had big ones for a thirteen-year-old.” Dylan grinned.
    Marta rolled her eyes. “Boys.”
    “Nate had such a crush on Misty.” Christie sniffled but smiled. “Even though she was one of the
    most stuck-up, snotty girls in school.”
    “He never could settle for one girl, though,” Marta said.
    “Or one woman.” Dylan rocked back on his heels. “Nate didn’t have it in him to settle down.”
    Belle’s gaze looked as if she was seeing something no one else could. “Maybe that was for the
    best.”
    Christie looked thoughtful. “But it’s possible a family would have given him a reason to live.”
    Dylan wanted to say that he suspected Nate hadn’t kil ed himself, and instead he’d been
    murdered. But now was not the time to bring that up. Later would be soon enough.
    They spent a good thirty minutes reminiscing, breaking into laughter and smiles at the memories.
    “Nate would have liked this.” The flowers in Belle’s hands trembled even as she smiled. Dylan
    wondered if the rain was chilling her even though he could tell she was wearing the raincoat over
    another coat and a cowl necked sweater. “As difficult as it is for us,” she continued, “Nate would want
    us to smile.”
    Everyone nodded.
    Belle moved along the line of friends, starting with Christie, handing each one a daisy until there
    were only two flowers left. When she got to Dylan and he reached out to take the daisy from her,
    their fingers brushed and their eyes met. It was a blow to his chest and his heart slammed against
    his ribcage.
    She visibly swallowed and retreated back to her spot. A quiet pause filled the stillness for a long
    moment. The only thing that could be heard was the patter of rain on the ground.
    Belle stepped close to the ridge and raised her flower. “I miss you, Nate, and I always wil . I’m
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    ***
sorry I didn’t keep in touch like I should have.” She released the daisy and it dropped over the edge.
    She returned to her place and Leon stepped forward. He said a few words before letting go of
    the flower.
    Marta, Tom, and Christie followed, each of them saying his or her own goodbye.
    Dylan was last. “I should have been there for you, buddy.” He felt an ache behind his eyes. “I
    should have been there.” Lower, so that the others weren’t likely to hear, he added, “I’l be there for
    them. I won’t let the circle break.”
    He let the flower go and watched it