Page 50 of Shelter for Morgan

She leaned into his shoulder and sighed. "I know, I know..."

"It's a science fiction movie about a guy who's an inventor, a brain surgeon, and a rock star. And in one scene when people are being mean to someone, he tells them to remember 'No matter where you go, there you are.'"

His steps slowed near the corner of the sidewalk and turned toward her.

She knew he could see her face because she could see him in the soft diffuse light of the gaily decorated square across the street.

"I'm not sure what that means."

With his gaze fixed on hers, she was near breathless, gazing right back into his amazing eyes. "Well, I don't think there's a right answer or a wrong one. I'm not sure everyone has the same thought about it. Just like everyone has a theory about the watermelon."

Palmer's head tilted to the side and his forehead furrowed. "The watermelon?"

She shook her head. "You'll have to see the movie."

"Sounds like it." He smiled at her. "But can you tell me what you think that phrase means?"

Morgan felt her whole heart swell in her chest. It might seem random, but she was sharing this with him. It felt so personal.

Intimate.

"At first I thought it was straight forward like a traveler finding new places everywhere they go, but as I got older, I thought I was missing the meaning. It wasn't until my first day at school watching the kids joke and posture knowing that I was a new teacher, and they were trying to push my buttons and the edge of the envelope all at the same time.

"So I lifted my hands and motioned for them to sit down, to get in their seats and settle. And as I did it, I felt like I heard that character in my head. Here I was in their world, and they were finding themselves in mine, but we didn't understand each other. And I told them, 'No matter where you go, there you are.' And I think they got it. One of the boys in the back of the class, they call him Hicks, sat down in his chair and nodded at me. 'Give respect,' he gestured for the others to sit, and they did, then he looked at me again. 'Get respect.'"

Palmer's smile broadened. "I think they got you. They understood that you were trying to reach them, and they met you halfway."

"You make me sound powerful."

She meant her words as a bit of a joke, but the look on Palmer's face said he wasn't joking.

"You are." He stepped back against a chain link fence and drew her along with him. "My mother used to play VHS tapes for me of School House Rock."

Morgan beamed at him. "I love that show!"

"I bet," Palmer nodded. "That's why I think your power is helping your students. Remember? Knowledge is power?"

She leaned in against him, her heart singing with joy. So many thousands and thousands of people that she'd met in her life, and it felt like Palmer understood her. He listened to her. He was interested in her feelings and her interests.

Now, he could just be an awesome friend, but-

"Morgan?"

"Hmm?" She looked up into his eyes in almost a dream-like state.

He straightened up a little, but instead of moving away, they just seemed to fit better together.

"I was wondering..."

He licked his lips, a quick flick of his tongue and her lungs filled with air.

"If I moved halfway..." He leaned forward and she could feel his gaze like a physical touch against her face. "Would you meet me half-"

She didn't let him finish his question. That just wasn't in her nature at that moment.

Morgan's lips pressed against his in a kiss.

He drew back and kissed her again, drawing his lips across her own. He kissed her at the corner of her mouth before giving her another tender, searching kiss.

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