Hearing his own words read by his mother, spoken in the voice he loved, brought David to tears. He covered his mouth with a hand and couldn’t hold back the emotion.

“Honey,” his mom said, “that never bothers me a bit. It’s irrelevant.” She stood and came around the table and enveloped him in a hug. “David, I love you.”

Through his tears he saw his father adjust his glasses and wipe his eyes. Even Nate reached out and patted him on the arm.

“Thank you,” Paw Paw said, holding up his letter. “Thank you for sharing your heart. I’m going to treasure this.”

“We both will,” G said.

“I just don’t want anyone to feel replaced,” David said.

His dad beamed from the other end of the table. “I already know you love us.” He held up the letter. “Now I just have proof.”

CHAPTER 27

Nate had been beside himself with excitement when David offered him the second train ticket. David’s dad drove them to the station and the two jumped out and ran to the train with Nate shooting the entire flight from the car to the tracks.

David jumped onto the train car but Nate lingered outside, turning the phone toward himself and explaining the trip. David grabbed his backpack and pulled him up the steps.

“You don’t have to film everything,” David said as they walked through the first car.

“I’m not. Just almost everything. Now tell me what you’re thinking.”

“I’m thinking you don’t have to film everything.”

“Dude, this is why I came. Trust my genius. It’s all part of the film David Steps Out and Finds Himself Within.”

“What does that mean?”

“That’s the title of the movie.”

David couldn’t help making a face. “That’s dumb.”

“Okay, what about Journey of Uncertainty?”

“That’s worse.”

“What about Questie with My Bestie?”

“Stop,” David said, reaching the sleeping car and searching for his room.

“Fine. But you’ll thank me one day. Hey, where are we meeting your parents?”

“At the hotel. I can’t believe they decided to drive this far.”

“That’s commitment. Well, you’re their only kid.”

David opened the door to their compartment and Nate gasped behind him.

“Luxury! I got top bunk!”

Melissa awoke entwined in the bedsheet, having rolled and changed positions through the night. She hadn’t slept well, glancing at the glowing red numbers about every hour. She made breakfast for Shawn and her but didn’t touch much of the eggs and bacon and hash browns. When she sat, she had to stand, and when she stood, she had to pace the room.

“You’re going to wear a hole in the floor if you don’t stop,” Shawn said. “What was with you last night?”

“Nervous, I guess.”