hing a cup of coffee that had long gone cold, watching a thin veil of mist roll over the yard. Something a

houghts circled endlessly-her father's sudden disappearance, her mother's heartbreak, the

, it walked throu

The walk was slower, heavier than she r

ory

school sw

hought would

it hadn't spared him either. His face was more angular, h

ps, unsure, one hand

u were back

e doorway, heart poundi

ile. "It's a small t

her of them knowing how to bridge

epped aside. "Y

iping his boots on the mat b

n it. He looked around with the reverence of someone wa

eplied, setting her cup down

n table, the same table where they once whisp

k good,"

an eyebrow. "

hen you wear ti

mile from her lips. "Yo

More than

had created a canyon between them, fil

passed," he finally said. "

y. "I wasn't ready

car in town, I knew I had to come

ds, fingers laced tightly. "

s. You were grieving, and I didn't know how to help. I

back when I was ready,

nod

said softly. "I was angry. At

ned. "I should ha

then. I had to leave. I did

d, voice low. "D

ir, thick and sharp. Emily swa

e admitted. "But I know I'm not

'm not the boy who thought

the tension loosening just e

d. "You've got a lot of healing to do here, Emily.

"Why does it feel like every

y buried forever," he said. "

ack one last time. "If you ever want to

he gravel, disappearing around the be

questions and aching truths. His visit stirred somethi

a beg

eawakeni

ispered to herself, "Maybe some ghosts return not