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I open one of the drawers, but it's e

"I ended up giving away all the clothing, but everything else I left the same I have someone come in weekly to clean the place"

Nodding my head, I take a peek outside theand look out into the backyard The peach tree stands there, looking about ten tier than I remember, but it's devoid of any fruit

Turning back to Randall, I clear my throat so he can't hear the tidal wave of uncertainty toh"

"Sure," Randall murmurs "I'll take you out to lunch, and we can just chat some more if you want"

"Actually I'd rather just go back to your house if you don't mind I'd like some time alone, if that's okay with you"

Randall smiles at me with sad eyes and says, "Of course"

I f

ollow Randall out of the house and get back in his car with utter silence, lost in hts He says this house is mine, but it's not

Not truly

My true hohouse I had built with my own hands, which sits next to Paraila's abode My hammock provided me all the comfort I needed, and the forest provided me food I had friends and an adopted father that loved me like his own

I have no need of any of these things that Randall showed me here today

Chapter 16

Moira

I stand outside of Zach's bedroo I'm worried about hi with Randall discussing what had happened today

He's worried about Zach too

Apparently, the trip to his childhood home stirred up some bitter es in vivid detail He reo to the Aed to stay with his Uncle Randall

I suspect that Zach is conflicted over what "home" actually means He's been so adae is the one he made for himself back in Caraica But now, he remembers that he had a ho to leave I can't even i at thison him

It terrifies ht at this veryan immediate return to the As of affinity heto his childhood home today It would be an easy out for him to take to run back to what is most comfortable to him

I go ahead and knock softly on the door "Zach can I come in?"

I'o ahead and try the doorknob, finding it opens tothe door open, I note that the room is cast in semi-darkness, as he has the heavy drapery pulled shut and only one small bedside lamp lit