Page 262 of Saving Forever with the Hockey Captain

After we hang up the apartment feels strangely quiet.

Not empty.

Just farther away from the life I'd started building.

***

Week Seven…

When I first met the young teen Dylan six weeks ago, he couldn't imagine walking again.

Today...

He walks out of the rehabilitation gym with only a cane.

His mother cries openly. Dylan simply smiles. Before leaving, he turns back. "I want to thank you."

"You did the hard work."

He shakes his head. "You believed I could."

I smile. "It was easy."

"No." He looks at me for a long moment. "I think that's your gift."

His mother wraps an arm around his shoulders.

As they reach the door, Dylan looks back one last time.

"I'm really glad you came into my life."

The room falls silent after they leave. I stand there long after the door closes.

Jamie came into mine.

Not to change my career.

Not to change my future.

To change me.

***

That evening I call Mom.

She answers on the second ring.

"Hi, sweetheart."

My voice trembles.

"Mom..."

She immediately hears it.

"What is it?"

A tear slips free.