Read Chapter 32: — HOME AT LAST

Ethan's mother was waiting in the driveway before the car stopped.

For one second everybody froze.

Months of caution had trained them too well.

Then she crossed the distance and wrapped both arms around her son.

"You absolute idiot," she said into his coat.

"Missed you too."

His father hugged Maya so tightly she squeaked.

They ate outside because the weather was unexpectedly warm. Nobody complained about the plastic garden chairs or paper plates.

Later they drove to Maya's family.

Her mother cried before opening the door.

"I was furious with you," she told Ethan.

"I know."

"I'm still a little furious."

"Fair."

"But I'm proud too. Don't get smug."

"Wouldn't dream of it."

Maya laughed.

That night, after both families had gone to bed, Ethan and Maya sat in the garden beneath a sky that looked impossibly wide.

"We missed Christmas," Maya said.

"We can have one tomorrow."

"In March?"

"Why not?"

So they did.

The next day they opened gifts, wore paper crowns and made roast potatoes.

Nobody cared what month it was.