Neither of them was wrong.
But both had been afraid to admit that surviving did not automatically restore what time had changed.
“What do you want?” I asked.
Melissa looked surprised.
“Nobody has asked me that exactly.”
“Then I’m asking.”
She considered it.
“I want an apartment.”
I smiled.
“That’s very specific.”
“Small. Somewhere near Havenwood for now.”
“Done.”
She gave me the look she used to give when I tried solving every problem with a checkbook.
“I don’t mean buy me one.”
“I know.”
“You absolutely meant buy me one.”
“Maybe a little.”
She laughed again.
Then her expression softened.
“I want to learn how to live independently.”
“You will.”
“I want Ava in my life.”
“She wants you in hers.”
“And I want Calvin in my life too. I just don’t know what that means yet.”
“It doesn’t have to mean anything today.”
