When he closed the door that day, he wondered whether he had closed another door in his life permanently. Wondering whether he could ever gather the courage to open it again with all the possibilities. Wondering if he could see her once more.

Inside, she leaned on the door, palm circling the knob, wondering whether she should make a move and let him in, this time once and for all. Wondering whether she could bear seeing the open door or spend the rest of her life regretting closing off her heart for good.

Could they get one more word out between them?

Then the split-second moment, sacred and fragile, was over. The spell was broken and they both stepped away.

Behind, from the chamber where childhood purity was still free to roam and simple happiness was still allowed, came Layna's soft, cheerful hum.

Humpty-Dumpty sat on the wall,

Humpty-Dumpty had a great fall;

All the king's horses, and all the king's men

Cannot put Humpty-Dumpty together again