“Whenever we talked you always said if everything went right you’d never see me again,” I said. He was willing to die to get justice for my parents. “I thought it was because you hated me.”
He laughed. “No. I tried to end all this on my own. I didn’t think I needed any help. It turns out that a team is a lot better than working solo.”
“Yeah. It definitely is.”
“Speaking of which, they’re all in the waiting room. And I need to get going.” He stood up.
“You’re not going to stay?”
He smiled. “I’ve spent a lot of time trying to fix a wrong that I was a part of so many years ago.”
“None of it was your fault.”
“Your mom choosing me was the start of all of this.”
I shook my head. “It wasn’t your fault,” I said again.
He patted my shoulder. “Regardless, I finally feel free. And so should you. Go live your life, Summer.” He smiled. “I’ve been waiting to say those words to you for so long.”
“Will I ever see you again?”
“The number I originally gave you is to my cell phone. It should be working again shortly. But there’s still one last thing I need to do. After that, I don’t think you’re going to need me.” He winked and walked out of the room before I could ask him what he meant. And I had the strangest sensation that he was my guardian angel.
Liza came running into the room before the door even closed. “We didn’t make the evening news, but we did make the morning news.” She grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. “How are you guys?” she asked, but her eyes were glued to the TV screen.
“We’re good,” Miles said.
I turned around and smiled at him. I didn’t care about the news report. Mr. Crawford had put it exactly right. I was finally free.
Kins, Patrick, and Eli all came into the room with smiles on their faces.
“What now, Summer?” Kins asked and sat down on the edge of Miles’ bed. “Are you going to re-enroll for classes next semester?” She looked so hopeful.
I wanted to tell her yes. That everything would go back to normal. But there were some things I needed to do first. I walked back over to Miles and grabbed his hand. “All I can think about is going home.”
He squeezed my hand. “And we’ll figure it out from there.”
I wanted to see where so many of my favorite memories had evolved. And I had never been to the cemetery that my parents were buried in since the day of the funeral. My grandmother had always said it was too far of a trip. But really, I knew it was just too painful for her. It would be painful for me too, but I needed to do it. And I really wanted to see Miles’ parents again. They had always felt like family to me. And I needed to thank them for trying to find me.
“Do you think you’ll come back?” Liza asked.
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Honestly, I kind of hate New York.”
They all laughed.
Maybe I would come back eventually. Miles and I had a lot to talk about. I wanted us to make our decisions together from now on. But he was more than halfway through getting his bachelor’s degree from Eastern University. Surely he’d want to come back in the fall. He’d be even closer to being done school if he hadn’t taken the semester off to help me.
“We’re going to miss you,” Kins said and threw her arms around me. “Both of you.”
“We’re all going to miss you,” Liza said and joined in on the hug.
“I’m going to miss you guys too.” And I would. So much of my life I had felt so alone. But now? My life was full of people that I loved.
Goodbyes were hard. But they were easier when I had the chance to say them. This didn’t feel final. I wasn’t losing them.
Chapter 47
Friday