Writing this installment was like chewing rocks for some reason.

Listen, I love this story.  I love the characters, I love the plot, I love the messages and themes and world. Aleph and Alexander are an adorable couple. Herschel is every validation I needed as a kid. Esp is the parent I hope to be one day. They're my absolute darlings.

But writing a book is sort of like having a kid. You love them when they're being wonderful and sweet and you just know they'll change the world one day.  But som...