When It's Time to Move On

Door 4 - Chapter 58 - For the Last Time

They returned one more time to the farm to collect Huey's belongings. Zafina, being the lawyer she was, took the identification documents left behind by Huey's uncle. The employees at the farm weren't able to contact him; their best bet was to wait for his return and keep Huey somewhere he would be looked after.

He would stay with Harris until his uncle was located. Zafina assured them her firm would eventually locate his whereabouts. Meanwhile, Harris offered to place Huey in a school in the city. This way, Huey could stay with him and visit his uncle should they want to. Whatever would happen, they would figure something out, he thought. There was a newly seethed optimism in him that would not be extinguished.

The journey back was as bright as could be. Huey made peace with his parents' demise, visiting their memorial for the last time; Zafina called hers to let them know she would be returning soon.

Harris looked into the sky at night. There was a specific glow resonating from somewhere impossible to locate, and he knew it was for him. All he wished was for some extra time, his final chance to last just a while longer. His wishes were fulfilled each dawn as the sun rose up and another day greeted him.

Eventually, they were at crossroads. It was time to leave Zafina at her stop. Her path was the other way.

"Now, I don't want any crying, okay boys?" She said strictly, reverting to the snarky attitude she had when she first met them. "Of course when I leave, you two are free to cling to one another and drown down your sorrows."

Huey pretended to have an air of nonchalance.

"You'll be crying more than us. There are no cars around to drive you."

"I called a cab, Genius." Zafina retorted. The next minute, she and Huey were sharing an emotional hug goodbye. "Uh uh, no crying, I told you."

She removed the headscarf Huey had picked out for her at the clothing store and placed it around the boy's shoulders.

"But I bought this for you," said Huey.

"Yes, and I'll be coming back for it. I want you to keep it till then, and yes you still look great in pink," said Zafina raising her voice marginally for Harris's benefit. "Just wear it like this so you can have that action-hero pose."

Huey grinned in acceptance.

"I think those girls over there think I look good," he said and stepped away, leaving Zafina free to talk to Harris.

"That kid's starting to learn a bit about tact, huh?" she said.

"Yeah, have to keep an eye on him. If he's thinking about attention now, I don't know what he'll be like when he grows up," Harris replied. Then the mood shifted. "You be sure to take care of yourself."

"I'm offended you have to say that," she said teasingly. "You two remember to stay exactly this way next time I see you."

"If you want us to... just pray the police don't rough us up too much when we turn that jeep in."

"You have a lawyer in hand if things go far off. Don't worry."

"Worrying is something I won't do anymore. Not even about what your parents say when you meet them," said Harris. "And you'll talk to them, right?" He added.

Zafina laughed softly and gave him a slight prod to take off. Harris obliged and ushered Huey back into the jeep. Her reply came just before they left.

"The answer's Yes!"

Harris stopped short of putting his foot on the accelerator. For a moment, he had the crazy urge to step out and pull her in for an embrace. But he simply raised a hand to say goodbye and roared the car into life away into the road.