“And I’ll oversee the exploration of other options,” said Blue.
It seemed as though everyone focused on Red—Charlotte, in particular. He looked around the hall, his light blue eyes appearing to see, and appreciate, everyone present. At last he looked at Charlotte, who felt an odd sense of pride, as though she in some way had helped finally to bring him into the fold, away from his stubborn independence and his mural which would never be finished; yes, into the fold, where he was desperately needed. Then he turned and walked away, north toward the home he had made in the clubhouse of the Lagoon, the home he shared with no one but his Archaeopteryx, calling over his shoulder, “If anyone needs me, I’ll be in my hooch. Heading the committee for public art.”
And then there was silence save fo
