And everyone is where they’re supposed to be.

Including me. For now, at least, I’m in the best place I could be. The new house is a dream come true. I’ve never lived in a brand-new house before. You wouldn’t believe how clean everything is. It all smells new and fresh. There’s tons of possibility in it.

Even the possibility to leave.

I open my eyes again and look at the house. What would we do with it if I went away for college? Board it up and leave it sitting here? I don’t like the thought of it standing empty. Obviously, houses can’t get lonely. But… maybe a person could be lonely on its behalf.

I might feel that way, if we were gone for weeks at a time.

I’d miss the house. I’d miss the view. I’d miss the people most of all.

I never knew having this many choices would feel like this.

For most of my life, I concentrated on one goal. My main plan hasn’t changed. I want to graduate from college and become a social worker.

There are many paths to get there, though. Different schools I could choose from.

I feel a bit like I did when I first came to Maine. My clothes were all wrong for the weather. I didn’t fit here. Each of the choices feels like a new climate I’d have to learn.

Part of the complexity comes from the people, too.

Before, it was me and Noah against the world. Now I have Beau, but Paige is very much a part of our lives. Anything I decide will also affect her. I might not be her nanny anymore, but I can’t turn off caring about her. I don’t want to, anyway.

I’m still thinking about it when I head back inside the house. Our Monopoly game will, of course, be left untouched. My cell phone buzzes on the table next to it. It’s ringing.

Beau, maybe.

I turn it over and find an unknown number. I’ve been talking to a lot of admissions counselors, but I don’t recognize this particular area code. “Hello?”

“Jane Mendoza?” A man. I don’t recognize his voice.

“This is she.”

“This is the Maine Investigator. I know you’re close friends and neighbors with Emily Rochester. Do you know about the scene at the courthouse today?”

My heart pounds. Emily hasn’t been back from the courthouse very long, so it must be the same guy who accosted her. “Nothing happened at the courthouse today.”

“So you do know. Listen, we have it on camera. I’m looking for some insight before we go to print. Get her side of the story on paper. Or maybe your side of the story.”