We close the bookstore and walk to my grandmother’s house, which is now our home. It goes without saying that the phantom owner I was stalking all those weeks was Trey.
He took care of the place, visited often, kept it clean, and watered the plants. But he never dared move in. When I asked him why, he told me he couldn’t help seeing us in every corner, and it was too hard for him.
That made me fall even more deeply in love with him, impossible as that is to imagine.
Sisuei greets us at the door, barking and jumping nonstop untilTrey finally shouts at him to be still. He sits and stares at me with a sad look on his face. I’m a softy with him, and he’s sly enough to pick up on that. When Trey’s not looking, I give him a treat.
We take our suitcases outside and lock the house.
Trey puts everything into the trunk while I open the side door of the SUV and let Sisuei into the back. He can hardly keep still, even in that tiny space, and whips the windows and the seat backs with his tail. I pet him, trying to calm him down. He loves traveling. Finally, when I pat his head, he lies down.
I turn on the music just after Trey starts the engine. “Ready?” he asks.
“Yep.”
“Great, let’s go.”
I squint at the blue sky, trying to control my heartbeat. We’ve got a long journey ahead of us.
From the ferry, I can see the coast, and my nerves suddenly feel raw. As we approach, the colorful houses take shape before my eyes. I can see the roads, the church, the town hall, and, further to the left, a gray silhouette: Ridge’s restaurant.
“You look happy,” Trey says, standing by my side. I smile at him from the heart.
“I am.”
I reach up and touch the glass pendant and the silver mermaid hanging around my neck. It’s the first time we’ve been back to Petit Prince since that week that changed the course of our lives. And it’s a special visit, for all sorts of reasons.
The ferry soon docks, and we’re the first ones off the ramp. Dozens of meaningful moments return to my mind, bringing me to the verge of tears.
“It hasn’t changed a bit!” I say.
We park and walk to the restaurant with Sisuei running circles around us. Even from the road, we can hear the voices and music inside. I pull at Trey and walk faster, until I can smell the food and feel something I can’t quite put my finger on until the door opens—the feeling of family.
“You’re here!” Hayley shouts when we appear.
Scott waves, but doesn’t take his eyes off the sports channel on TV.
There’s a frenzy of hugs and kisses on the cheek. Hoyt picks me up off the ground and tickles my ribs until I start shrieking.
“Jesus, grow up!” I shout.
Megan slaps him on the shoulder, and he turns around and does the same to her.Welcome to the family, I think.
Adele walks over with Sid. I jog up to her and hug her tight. I can barely speak. But then, what is there to say?
“You look gorgeous,” she tells me.
“You too,” I respond.
“I see you’re wearing your necklace.”
“Always.”
Ridge comes out of the kitchen and notices me, and I give him a hug. There’s a new face here, too—a pale girl with brown hair and big eyes who observes us timidly. She’s pretty.
“Who’s that?”
He blushes and smiles.
