CHAPTER TWO

Neil laughed, having just scared his sister to death. Lynn was annoyed, but not surprised to see him. Lynn smiled a little, but Neil caught on immediately that something was wrong.

"What's the matter?" he asked.

Lynn foolishly tried to hide it from him. "Nothing." she said. "You're late, that's all."

Neil smiled. "How long have I been your brother?"

Lynn knew she had to give it up. "Forever."

Lynn turned to Neil and took in his appearance. In twenty years, it had never changed. He was always wearing the same thing: his Welton school uniform. He looked exactly the same as he had the last time she'd seen him alive. Two hours before that damn play. Happy, ready to take on the world.

"It's good to see you, Neil."

"Uh oh, what did Charlie do?" Neil asked.

Lynn laughed. "Why do you say that?"

"Twenty years and you've never said that to me." Neil said.

"Yeah." Lynn did her trademark sign of frustration, running her hands through her hair. "We had a fight."

Neil knew he had to ask, but wasn't sure he wanted the answer. "About me?"

Lynn nodded. "Yes." she knew she had to tell him now or she might not get up the nerve. "This is it, Neil."

Neil had expected to hear this from her for a few years now. "Good."

Lynn was shocked. "Good?"

"Yeah." Neil told her. "It's been twenty years, sis. It's time."

Lynn realized that he was right. This trip had kept Lynn from ever really mourning Neil. Every really accepting the fact that he was gone. It had changed her life, both for better and for worse. But she'd realized, after the argument with Charlie, that she needed to say goodbye to Neil if she ever wanted to really move on with her life. Ending her time with Neil crushed her, but for the sake of her family, it had to be done.

"Okay." Lynn agreed. "So what do we do?"

"You call Charlie. Apologize and tell him you'll tell him what these trips have been about after you get home."

"He's gonna think I'm crazy." Lynn pointed out.

"You're the one that's been talking to a ghost for twenty years." Neil countered. "Besides, it's better than what he's probably thinking."

"What do you mean?" Lynn asked.

"Think about it." Neil said. "If he left every year and you didn't knew what he was doing…"

Lynn was stunned. "He thinks I'm having affair?" she asked, instantly feeling guilty.

But Lynn realized Neil was right. Charlie had put up with this for years. Why hadn't he said anything before now? Why had he let his doubts fester for that long? Lynn opened the door and asked Neil,

"You gonna be up at the cabin?"

"See you there."