The Suit
We all gazed at the suit in a way that one gazes at something horrifying and enthralling and beautiful. Jacob began pointing out that one of the buttons was halfway loose, but stopped midway and began fingering the button absentmindedly. Consciously realizing what he was doing, he quickly took his hand off the button as of one whose fingers have been alighted with flames and brushed his hands against his pants legs, muttering something about germs. I gently patted the arms, soothing the suit, while we all just smiled blandly at it, wondering, hoping, doubting.