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.
"What did she mean by that?" Huey asked.
Harris didn't reply.
Before they knew it, they were back in the city. Harris marveled at the contrast between his two arrivals. The first time, he'd been positive, yet unsure of what he wanted. This time, he could see everything that would be in store.
Harris and Huey visited the places of the city he'd once been to alone; picking out settings for Huey's new room back home, taking him to the cinema or the arcade, or feeding him as much chicken as he liked.
The people at the park, where Harris had begun his photography, were surprised to see him with a child of his own, but none could doubt the sheer adoration he held for the boy.
Zafina would call in some time later. Once she was there, she brought news of her transfer to the city's branch of her firm, so she could be close to the two of them. She also updated them on Huey's uncle's whereabouts; he was expected to return to Longton. It was then that Harris decided to take a big step forward.
"You're going to ask for your old job back? I thought you hated it," said Zafina. He had asked her to stay over at their place while he prepared to return to his former city.
"Remember what you said back at the wishing well? It's time to be responsible." He told her. "I'm going to ask for a part-time position and shift to their offices here. I'll also ask Huey's uncle to let him stay here."
"And now that you're not thinking just for yourself you're going to earn for someone else," she finished for him. "That's wonderful, Harris."
"Thanks, want to come in while I say goodbye to him?"
Huey was already in bed when they entered.
"Sleep well, and have a fantastic time with your head in the clouds." Harris wished the boy, ruffling his hair.
"He says that every night," said a bemused Huey to Zafina. "I keep telling him I'm not that young."
"Don't pretend you don't like it," Zafina called him out.
"Well, my flight's going to leave soon," Harris checked his watch.
"Before you leave... here."
Huey handed a frame to Harris. A picture of him and Zafina, the very same that had won Harris the exhibit.
"You gave me your sister's camera. I thought you'd want your masterpiece with you," said Huey, the camera Harris had bestowed upon him glinting at his bedside table. "Zafina got the frame, by the way, so it's a gift from the both of us."
"I'll take it with me wherever I go," said Harris, moved. He put the frame in his coat's pocket. "Now, I'm going to leave before you two convince me to stay."
He stood at the doorframe before departing. Huey and Zafina shared a laugh amongst themselves, and it was with a heavy heart that he looked at them. There was no room for speculation anymore -- this would be the last time he saw them in person. He didn't break his gaze for a long time, hoping to etch this moment in his memory beyond doubt. Outside the window, a glow of light beckoned, and this time, he felt its urge.
He tore himself away from the door. But with a final act of weakness, he turned back. There was a silence in the room that was only broken by the sound of Harris's heavy sigh. He put a hand over his heart, feeling the frame against it, and patted the spot. It was clear Huey and Zafina received the message. And with that, he was gone.
Harris had no clue how quickly the plane ride passed and he found himself standing before Mr. Littman once more. But it felt like he'd been transported there in the blink of an eye.
"So you will be working in the office over there." Mr. Littman said. "I'm happy to hear that, and the part-time shift should give you enough time to pursue your other interests. I heard you entered a photography showcase. But why return?"
"I need to be responsible, sir, and if I can balance between passion and responsibility, that's enough for me. Also, I never thanked you properly. You took me in when I really needed work, and I really appreciate that."
Mr. Littman shook Harris's hand with a look of splendid surprise.
"And they say personal growth is a myth," he commented. "You're welcome. I'll have your papers prepared for transfer. So, if you'll excuse me."
Harris's phone rang just as Mr. Littman left.
"Hi, couldn't wait for you to call, did you get the job?" Zafina asked.
"Yeah, all set," Harris replied, controlling his voice, aware that at any moment it would be the last time he heard hers.
"So, one more...Congratulations!" Both Huey and Zafina yelled happily on the phone.
"Thank you," he responded, pushing the phone a little away from his ear. He breathed heavily, taking out the frame from his pocket to look at their picture. "One last thing, I want you guys to know that it's because of you that my search is finally over..."
But there was no reply. The air he let out of his lungs was released into a quiet world. Outside the door, he knew Mr. Littman had completed the proceedings, but he would never return.
Because it was all done. Whatever he was meant to find, he had. His stay had been graciously extended, and he had nothing but gratitude for it.
Harris turned toward the door he'd entered through long ago. The knob shone brightly, a light was visible through the keyhole; there was a sunny sky waiting for him beyond. Harris put his hand on the knob, the final time he would walk out of a door.
Yet, on this occasion, he did not turn back to gaze at the world he would leave behind. Instead, he closed his eyes and remembered all he had seen.
With another long breath, he turned the knob. The hallway had returned, so luminous that it evaporated all sorrow from him. It felt like a beckoning toward a warm embrace. His face lighting up into a smile, Harris walked out, closing the door behind him for the last time.