She accepted the answer.
Then he added quietly, "But I think you were hurting too."
Tears filled her eyes.
He opened the door.
Stepped onto the porch.
Then turned once more.
"Nora."
"Yes?"
He hesitated.
"Don't disappear without saying goodbye again."
Her face crumpled.
She nodded.
"I won't."
Daniel walked toward his truck.
Nora stood in the doorway watching.
She did not call after him.
Did not plead.
Did not ask what he felt.
For the first time since returning to Bellweather, she allowed him to leave without trying to control how the story would continue.
Then she closed the door.
And cried.
Lucy was waiting when Daniel came home.
She had finished her homework, fed the family dog, and prepared two grilled-cheese sandwiches.
The kitchen smelled pleasantly of butter and toasted bread.
Daniel entered.
Lucy looked up.
"How'd it go?"
He smiled tiredly.
"Long conversation."
She studied him.
"Are you okay?"
He considered the question.
"I think so."
She nodded.
Then pointed toward the sandwiches.
"I made supper."
Daniel looked surprised.
"Did you?"
"Yes."
He lifted one slice.
The bread was golden.
The cheese melted perfectly.
He smiled.
"Better than mine."
Lucy grinned.
"Obviously."
They sat at the table.
For several minutes, they ate in comfortable silence.
Then Lucy asked, "Did she explain?"
Daniel nodded.
"Some things."
"About the garage?"
"Yes."
Lucy looked worried.
"Does she own it?"
"No."
"Does she want to destroy it?"
Daniel considered his answer.
"I don't believe she personally wants that."
Lucy frowned.
"Then why is her company involved?"
"Because companies sometimes look at properties as investments without understanding everything those places mean to the people who use them."
She thought about that.
"That sounds stupid."
Daniel smiled faintly.
"Sometimes it is."
Lucy took another bite.
Then looked toward him.
"Are you mad at her?"
He was silent.
Finally, he answered.
"I'm hurt."
She nodded slowly.
"Is that different?"
"Yes."
"How?"
Daniel thought carefully.
"Being angry can make you want to push somebody away. Being hurt sometimes means you care about them enough that what they did matters."