Just One Year(56)

Teagan.

“You came!” Shelley shouted.

Teagan gave a wobbly smile. “Yeah, I couldn’t miss it.”

We looked into each other’s eyes, and I felt my heart clench. Her showing up, even though I knew it was painful for her, meant so damn much to me. Perhaps I didn’t realize how much until it happened.

Teagan took the chair next to me. It was as if we had been saving it for her, even though it was clear from the looks on everyone’s faces that no one had expected her to show.

“Nice that you could make it, honey,” Lorne said.

She looked at me. “I brought a change of clothes to the aquarium just in case I could get out in time.”

Maura flagged down the waitress to bring Teagan a menu. Just like she had when we went to dinner in the North End, she ordered the mackerel, which I thought was hysterical, because once again that was what dolphins eat.

“My Dolphina,” I mouthed.

She smiled and reached under the table to grab my hand. I linked my fingers with hers. It felt so incredibly good to be touching her again after several days of distance—painful but good.

When the food arrived, we were forced to let go of each other. I suppose it would have been hard to break apart a lobster with one hand, but I was willing to try.

During the meal, everyone mostly ate in silence.

Then, while waiting for dessert, Lorne asked, “So, might there be even a small part of you that’s happy to be returning home, Caleb?”

I shrugged. “I’ve missed my mum. It will be nice to see her. And I know she’s looking forward to having me back. But I haven’t missed home at all and am not looking forward to returning.”

“What’s been your favorite part of Boston?” Shelley asked.

Uh, that would be your sister. “That’s a tough question, because there have been so many things. But you guys have definitely been the best part of my time here. Your family dinners, your overall hospitality—I won’t forget any of it.”

To my utter shock, Shelley started to cry. I got up from my seat and gave her a hug. She was such a sweet girl, and I truly loved her. Apparently, she loved me, too.

Teagan looked like she was holding back tears.

Thankfully, the dessert arrived just then.

After we left the restaurant, we all took a walk along the Charles River. I could hardly believe I was just a few days from leaving my new family behind.

***

The following evening, with two nights left, I decided to make sure I was all packed. I didn’t think I’d have the mental energy to deal with last-minute organizing on my final day, so I needed to get everything put away before then.

I wanted a keepsake that would remind me of Teagan, so I took her Ten Secrets book and slipped it into my suitcase. I hadn’t brought much with me, but I was returning with an extra suitcase filled with things I’d purchased here. The s’mores maker Teagan had bought me for Christmas was also safely packed away.

I knew Teagan was home tonight, and I wanted nothing more than to hang out with her, but I was terrified of what would happen if we did—that we’d undo any progress we might have made by avoiding each other recently.

Then the perfect idea hit me, a way we could be together in a less intimate setting.

A half-hour later, after returning from the store, I ventured down to Teagan’s room, stopping short of entering.

She’d been reading a book and closed it when she noticed me.

I lifted the paper bag I was holding. “It’s my second-to-last night, and there’s no way I’m leaving without making s’mores one more time with you.”

I never expected her to start crying. She’d managed to hold her composure—in front of me, at least—up until this moment. My heart felt heavy. I put the bag down and wrapped my arms around her.

I held her and whispered, “I’m going to miss you so much.”

After a few seconds, she backed away and wiped her eyes. “Let’s do it.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.” She forced a smile. “Let’s roast the shit out of those s’mores.”

***

Wanting every second of this night to last, I took my time building the fire in the yard. Teagan was quiet as I lit the wood and prepared the sticks. Once the fire got going, we mostly stole glances at each other through the flames while we roasted the marshmallows.

She was the first to speak. “It seems like just yesterday we were out here doing this for the first time.”

I handed her one of the marshmallow sticks. “That was the first night you ever opened up to me. A lot has changed since then. I never imagined what an important part of my life you’d become.”

She deflected a bit. “What’s the first thing you’re gonna do when you get home?”

I stared into the fire and smiled. “Hug my mum. Depending on how tired I am, I might take her out for a late-night dinner or breakfast, catch her up on all the amazing things I experienced in Boston. Then I’ll go to my room and crash while undoubtedly thinking of you and wishing I were back here.”

“I do want to keep in touch, okay? I know we won’t be together, but I’ll always care about you. I will always want to know you’re okay—even if it’s hard. I don’t think I’ve made that clear.”

I smiled, though part of me felt sad. “I can’t imagine a world where I never spoke to you again, Teagan. I need to know you’re okay, too. Alright? It might be painful to talk all the time, but let’s vow to never lose touch.”