“Tyler, remember when Pops put that dead snake on the floor outside your bedroom door?  Man, that thing must have been four feet long.”

“Yeah, nothing like being raised by an alcoholic grandfather with a mean streak.  Did I ever thank you, Olivia?”

“For what?”

“For sneaking into my room to warn me to act surprised.”

“I couldn’t have my little brother dropping dead of a heart attack before he turned fifteen.  You not only thanked me, you groveled at my feet like a eunuch.  As I recall, you volunteered to do the dishes for a week.  You were always afraid of snakes.”

“And you were always afraid of heights.”

“I don’t want to talk about the things that scare me.  Look at that sky, Tyler.  It’s so beautiful.  It’ll be weird without the moon.”

“It won’t matter for long.  Are you going to watch the show?”

“You mean sit in a lawn chair, cigarette in one hand and a beer in the other?”

“Something like that.”

“Probably.  I’m all about being part of history even if there won’t be anyone around to read about it.  I could wear a t-shirt that says Asteroid Repellent – $19.99.”

“Stupid as that sounds, I think you’ve finally hit on a way to make some real money fast.”

“That’s me.  It only took me sixty-four years to develop some business sense.”

“Yeah, dumb ass.  You left it too late for me to cash in on my big sister.”

“Damn, Tyler.  I have so many regrets.  I always wanted to travel to Florence to see Michelangelo’s David.  I wonder if he’ll survive.”

“Are you suggesting there could be a statue of a naked man floating around in outer space?”

“Why not?  In a perfect universe his penis would break off and eventually slam into a tiny planet populated by microscopic Amazon warriors.”

“Olivia, you never stop, do you?”

“I’m afraid to stop.  If I do, I’ll end up like Holly.  Are you sure you can’t talk her into coming out to tell me goodbye?”

“Sorry.  She’s still sobbing on the bed.  Holly’s always considered you a sister and can’t stand the thought of never seeing you again.”

“Can you stand that thought?”

“No.  I wish you’d stay the night.”

“I can’t.  I want to spend as much time with Shelby and the grand kids as I can.”

“Okay, then.  I love you, Olivia.”

“I love you right back, little brother.  Now hug me like you mean it.”

“Like this?”

“Oh, Tyler.  You saved the best for last.”

“So did you, Olivia.  So did you.”