Greatwater Lake (M) Butterflies taste through their feet.

He looked up at her and spoke. Towhee’s mouth fell ajar when she understood him perfectly well this time, pardoning the last few words. What did you just call me? she wondered, though it was an idle thought. Out loud, she only scoffed.

But when he jumped to his feet and tried to mount her again, Towhee admired his determination. She could feel him trembling as he grasped onto her, his heartbeat hammering against her scarred spine. She planted her feet and wondered if he was in real danger of dying before he could pump his aging—you know.