Jack felt a tug at his brow. “I thought you said love was a compromise, that to make it work, we’d both have to give up something.”
“It is, and you will.”
“Then why does it feel like I’m the only one sacrificing?”
Helen put her arm around him. “Darlin’,” she said quietly, “life isn’t a game. No one’s keeping count of who’s giving up more. Besides, Ellieisgiving up something—her life in Indiana, and a career she’s worked just as hard to build as you have. Not to mention, she’s moving away from her sister, and you know how close they are.”
Jack stared into his tea, wishing life could be as simple as it had once been, back when he was a teenager. “I just don’t know why she can’t be content with what she’s got. She always said her dream was to teach, and that’s what she’s doing. Now it’s this job with NASA. What’s next?”
“We have no way of knowing what the future holds, but by now you should know that with a woman like Ellie, the sky’s the limit. That’s what makes her who she is, and I suspect it’s part of the reason you fell in love with her in the first place. Even if you could, do you really want to clip her wings?”
“No,” he conceded, “but that doesn’t mean I’m ready to give up my hopes and dreams either. This is my home.”
“They say that home is where the heart is,” she reminded him.
“Yes, but what if my heart is in two places at once?”
Helen smiled sympathetically and said, “Sounds to me like you’ve got some praying to do.” She took her plate to the sink and ran it under the water before returning to the table. “But whatever you decide, make no mistake about it: if you let her get away this time, you won’t get another chance, so if I were you, I’d think long and hard about your decision.”
* * *
The next evening, Jack stood barefoot in the cemetery, contemplating the future. The feeling of the earth beneath his feet reminded him of his childhood, of the afternoons spent traipsing around the woods in search of turtles and crawdads or nights by the lakeshore, digging for worms.
“It’s hard to believe you’ve been gone eighteen years,” he said, kneeling in front of Lewis’s grave. “It seems like only yesterday you and I were talking about how we couldn’t wait until we got older so we could get our own boat and go out on the water whenever we wanted. Those were the days, weren’t they?” Jack gave a melancholy smile. “I know it’s been a while since I last visited, but I haven’t been thinking straight. Hopefully, this business with Ellie’s job will get sorted out soon enough, and things can go back to normal.”
“You look deep in thought.”
Jack looked up and saw Ellie walking toward him. “You’re back.” He ran to her and threw his arms around her. “What happened? I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.”
When they parted, she said, “I finished ahead of schedule, so I thought I’d come home a day early and surprise you.”
Jack felt his grin widen. “You certainly did that. How’d you know I was here?”
“I was on my way to your place when I saw your truck.”
They found a bench beneath the old elm and sat.
“So tell me all about your trip.”
“Oh, it was wonderful.” She beamed. “It was less an interview and more an orientation. I met with Dr. Clement and his team, got to tour their state-of-the-art facility, and checked out housing. They have some lovely cottages for rent. I also got to see the city. Houston is a nice town, with so many things to see and do. I only wish you could have been there.”
“Does that mean you got the job?” He held his breath.
“I told Dr. Clement I’d need the weekend to think it over, but, yes. It’s mine if I want it.”
Pressing down his feelings, Jack said, “Congratulations. I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you. You’re the first person I’ve told.”
“You’ll have to call Amelia when we get home. I’m sure she’ll want to know.”
Ellie nodded.
“What about your mother? Will you tell her?”
“Not unless I have to. But I’m sure she’ll find out.”
Jack was silent for a moment, thinking and listening to the breeze as it rustled the leaves above them. “You know, every time I come to this place it gets harder and harder.”
