He had never apologized.
He had simply decided my answer didn’t matter.
The vehicles rolled closer.
Doors opened.
Suitcases came out.
The kids jumped down excitedly.
Patrice stepped onto the gravel wearing sunglasses and a smile.
“Ellie!” she called. “Surprise!”
I didn’t move.
Kevin walked toward me carrying a duffel bag.
“Don’t look so shocked. We figured you’d get over it.”
For a moment, nobody spoke.
The mountains were quiet.
The creek behind the cabin kept moving.
Exactly like it had the first day I arrived.
Then Patrice looked past me toward the cabin.
“So where should we put everyone’s stuff?”
I slowly stood up.
And before I could answer, a white SUV turned onto the driveway.
Everyone looked toward it.
A man stepped out wearing a property manager badge.
He walked calmly toward the gate.
Then he looked at Kevin, Patrice, and the pile of suitcases.
