Ben set down his tea. “She hasn’t been back
this week?”
Г
My parents looked surprised. “No, we haven’t
seen her.”
Ben set down his cup.
I wasn’t with my family.
Where was I?
“Did you two fight?” my mom asked,
cautiously.
Ben stood. “We had a little misunderstanding.”
“Oh, she must be the one who messed up then.
11
My dad frowned, “I’ll call her and give her a
piece of my mind.”
Ben stopped him, “Don’t worry about it. We’ll
handle it ourselves.”
く
“Well, all couples argue,” my dad smiled,
ushering him out.
As Ben reached the car, he turned back.
“Her birth certificate, it’s still with you, right?”
My dad was confused, then brightened, “Yes, it’s here. If you need it, I can get it for you.”
Ben shook his head, “Just keep it. I’ll have her
come over for it later.”
“Okay, she can come by any time.”
My parents were happy. They’d already given
up hope that I’d get a license, or even stay
married to Ben.
But now, they were thinking it might finally
happen. This was a huge win for them.
10
<
After spending two weeks in the town I grew up
in, I traveled around.
I always saved my money. I had enough to live
- on.
If I found a town I liked, I’d buy a small
apartment and settle down.
When I was a kid, I’d been sold around,
adopted, and I’d stayed in foster homes.
I just wanted a place to call my own.
My family wasn’t home.
Ben’s house wasn’t home either.
Four years of marriage, no legal stuff, it was all
a waste.
After leaving, I was only sad about the tree I’d
planted.
<
And, of course, Ethan.
But I also knew it was best for Ethan to stay
with Ben.
I was used to splitting up with people.
So I wasn’t too sad.
And I knew if I was gone, everyone would be
happier.
Ben could marry the girl he really wanted.
Even if I never got to be Ben’s wife.
I went back to the little town where I had lived
for a few years as a kid. It was called Willow
Creek, and the rent was really cheap.
I’d planned on getting a small apartment, but I
ended up buying a little house. The people there
<
The happiest times in my life were spent in
Willow Creek.
Unfortunately, the couple that had taken care of
me had passed away.
While I was signing the papers, I met my
childhood friend, Liam.
“Sarah, is that you?” Liam exclaimed.
I went by the name “Sarah” when I was with his
family.
I was just as shocked to see him.
I never thought I’d be buying his old house.
“Liam, it’s been so long.”
I stared at him, all those memories flooding
back.
<
I burst into tears.
“You got married, right?”
Liam wanted to wipe my tears, like when we
were little.
But he stopped.
“Where’s your husband and your kid? Are they
not here?”
“How have you been, Sarah?‘
“I heard your real parents found you, are they
taking care of you?”
I shook my head.
I couldn’t talk. I just wanted to cry.
People only truly cry when they’re with people
who love them.
<
We hadn’t seen each other in years.
But when I saw him, I turned into little Sarah
again.
And he turned into the big brother who always
took care of me.
“They’re not treating you right, are they?”
Liam’s eyes were red. “If they were, you wouldn’t be here buying a house by yourself.”
“This is a thousand miles from New York,
Sarah, what did they do to you?”
“Liam.”
I touched Liam’s sleeve, my eyes still red and
teary.
“I saw someone selling dried greens over by the
Could you mako mn your famou
noodlo
く
Liam looked at me for a long time.
Then, he rubbed my hair, smiling. “Sure, I’l|
make you some.”
11
Ben went to see Chloe for the last time.
The party girl, so full of life just a few weeks
ago, looked tired and worn out.
“Don’t call me anymore.”
“We’re done.”
“I’ll sign the house and the car over to you.”
Ben looked at her. She had her hair down, no
makeup, and looked really pitiful.
She really looked like April.
<
But Ben didn’t feel anything.
“I’m not going to come here again.”
Ben turned around to leave.
Chloe cried out, “But I don’t get it. Things were
so good. You said you loved me…”
“I never loved you.”
“But you said you wanted me by your side…”
“I’m married.”
“But you don’t love her, right?”
Ben looked down at the ring on his finger.
Did he really not love me?
It was easy to cancel a wedding, right?
く
But when he first met me, he’d felt something.
It was the way I looked.
