“Do you have work to do today?” I ask, glancing at my mate. It’s Sunday, which means he sometimes vanishes for hours, and at other times, he stays close by.

“Probably,” he replies, yawning and turning to face me. “But I’m not doing it today. I want to spend the whole day with you.”

“Can we go to the grove?” I ask, unable to hide my excitement.

His frown is immediate, dampening my spirits. “Not today,” he says, shaking his head. ...