This has been a surprising and incredibly lovely and insightful exploration of Anathema watching over Adam while he is growing up. It was wonderful to read how they both figure out what their relationship entails, and how they can be mentor and mentee as well as friends. Your writing is wonderful. I could quote many sentences back to you, for the sheer originality and beauty of them; for some reason I loved this sentence with the imagine of the acorns at night in particular: Anathema and Newt held hands as they navigated the nighttime with acorns popping underfoot. Thank you and happy holidays!