Thankfully, the day I decided to leave the farm, I emailed Craig, and he gladly took me back. I’m going back next Monday.

All in all, things are…good. Which feels so strange to say since, inside, I don’t feel nearly as good as I should. I have the job I love and will actually have time to work on projects I’m passionate about, all the while having found a way to keep the farm in my family.

But all this still feels like assembling a puzzle, only to realize you lost one piece and will never actually be able to complete it. I have all my pieces except the most important one.

With one last stroke of my skates, I shift my stick to steal the puck from Finn. The moment he loses it, he groans.

“Okay, I think that’s enough for tonight,” he says, panting.

I slow down, realizing I’m drenched in sweat. Nothing like a good skating session to blow off some steam.

“You’re just saying that because you’re pissed I’m getting better than you.”

“In your dreams,” Finn answers before throwing my water bottle at me. I catch it, gulping down half of its contents. Then I join Finn on the outside bench where we left our bags and start untying the laces on my skates.

“Seriously, though,” I say, “I hope you know how grateful I am for what you’re doing.”

Finn grins. “It’s no biggie. It actually makes me really happy, on top of the fact that I’m helping.”

I stare at my best friend as he removes his large gloves. A person who so many would dismiss as childish or ignorant because he’s decided to spend a good part of his twenties discovering the world and sleeping around instead of settling down. Yet to me, he’s anything but. He’s generous and kind and adventurous. He’s our Finn.

“You’re a good man, you know?” I say.

“Oh, so this is sappy time?”

I roll my eyes, which makes him laugh.

“Just accept it and shut—”

My phone starts ringing in my bag.

I look through the dirty laundry and blade protectors until I find it in a pocket. The ring is almost up, so I take the call without looking at the ID. Probably just Ma, wondering if I’ll be able to bring Callie to school tomorrow or something.

“Hey, I’m almost—”

“Aaron?”

My heart stops beating at the sound of the voice I never thought I’d hear again.

“Wren? W-what’s going on?” There must be something wrong. She said she was done, and Wren’s a woman of her word. She’d never call me again to change her mind or toy with me. Once she’s done, she’s done.

Beside me, Finn twists on his seat and stares as if he’s waiting for me to explain. I shake my head.