"I remember most of the early years now, and I want to talk about it with you, because you remember them too... but not tonight. I think I should go back to the hotel before I fall asleep where I am."
"Whenever you're ready." He handed her a card with his number. "How long will you be here?"
She looked straight at him. "A couple of weeks for now. Then I'll go back to the city long enough to pack everything I need, and bring it back with me. I'm finally coming home."
"That sounds nice," he said, with a smile. "No partner to object?"
"No." Her eyes widened. "I'm sorry. Am I keeping you...?"
He laughed. "Came close once or twice, but... no."
"The house will need upgrades, but I plan to live there during the process. Mom and Dad don't plan to return, so the house is mine, to do whatever I want with it, and... I want to restore it. I want to live here again."
"You're sure about this? "
"Yes, I am." She smiled. "I can work anywhere. I just need space, a phone and the internet. That house has more than enough space for an upstairs studio.” She paused a moment. "I want to get back to writing and painting again."
"Well, I'm your contractor, if you need one."
"Wonderful," she said,
"It could be costly, unless you have an inheritance..."
She shook her head. "I inherited their entire estate, but when I learned the truth, I sold everything, bought myself a new car and gave the rest to charity. Other than that, I wanted no part of their money."
"Just the car."
"Considering they had stolen my entire life, I felt I was owed that much." She laughed. "And my old one was in bad shape."
The future suddenly looked brighter as he placed his hand over hers on the table, and looked into her eyes. "That day, before things went wrong, we put our hands together, one on top of the other, and made a vow to be friends..."
"For the rest of our lives," she said.
"You remember that?"
"I often heard it in my dreams, but I never knew what it meant until now."
He looked at her, shaking his head slightly. "I still can't believe you're here, after all those years. I can't begin to tell you how many nights I looked across at the house, wondering what happened to you." He smiled as he stood up and held out his hand. "I'd best get you back to your car. You look tired."
They left the restaurant hand in hand.
********************
