Tate Langdon is lying on a blanket in the backyard near the gazebo. He stares up at the night-time sky on the fourth of July. As the fireworks explode, he's reminded of gunfire, and all the horrible things he has done in his life. He remembers how he hurt those kids at school and how he took their lives. His heart aches with regret for all he's done.
"I love you, Tate. But I can't forgive you."
Violet's voice echoes in his head louder than any of the fireworks. It's been eight months since she said those words to him and they've only seen each other briefly inside the house in passing. He fears he'll never melt the ice encasing her heart. *I'll wait forever for you, Violet, if necessary,* he whispers with determination. *Because I know you are worth it."
As he stares up at the attic, he sees Violet's reflection within the window. He knows she is watching him and he's strangely comforted. *She'll forgive me one day. She loves me,* he tells himself as their gazes lock and hold.
His memory flashes back to something that Violet told him.
"What do you want?" he asked. "What I wanted was you." "You told me to go away," he reminded. "Yeah, but I never said goodbye."
Tate smiles then he looks away.