Several days later, Sammy sat on the bench outside the bus station in the same place he had sat twenty years ago. Norm came out of Lucille's Kitchen and sat next to him.

"Well," he said awkwardly, "the bus is here. Here's your ticket."

"Thank you," Sammy answered quietly. He wished he knew what to say.

"Off and on I'd tell myself, Norm, you got no right to keep him here. But you looked so helpless, I figured maybe a little while longer." Without thinking he had slipped back into the habit of talking to Sammy as if he didn't hear. "Maybe I didn't do it right, but I figured I owed it to your mother. Well, I got that right. She didn't desert you back there." He had told Sammy briefly about what happened to Ellen Ayers twenty years ago, but they had not spoken of it in depth. Sammy had gone away and cried for his mother for the last time.

Now he said, "How did you find her?"

"Years of bus passes, Saturdays spent going up and down the bus lines. I ordered a proper headstone. You could go visit it if you wanted."

Sammy nodded, and they sat quietly for a moment. "From time to time," Sammy said thoughtfully, "I've thought that if I could pick out a dad for myself, I'd pick someone pretty close to being like you. Not exactly," he said with a smile, "but close."

Norm stared at him, struggling between tears and a smile. "Oh, Sammy…in all my years I don't recall anyone saying anything that nice to me."

The screen door banged as Lucille came out of the café bearing a paper bag. "Now why don't you go on?" handing him a bag of lunch. With a quick move she put her arms around Sammy, who held her gently for a moment. Then she pulled away, and he could see that she was blinking and swallowing even as she patted the lunch they'd mashed between them with a "Oh, look what we've done. Now get!" And she disappeared back into her café where Sammy knew she would probably have herself a long cry.

"Well, I guess I'll just get," Sammy said.

Norm held out his hand awkwardly. Sammy gripped it tightly, and they looked at each other for a second. Then Sammy turned and got on the bus and drove away.

Sammy stared out the window as the bus pulled out of Barrington. He had not been far out of town in twenty years, and now his dream of travelling was being fulfilled. Not only did he have his father's money (it was so strange to think of having a father!), but he had the money he himself had invested. He had left a lot of it for Norm and Lucille; they would never have to worry about retirement. He had also given Tallasy enough to travel all over the world and take her pictures., and had provided Tolliver with pocket money while he was in prison. The way he saw it, he'd lost an enemy and gained a brother. After a long thought, though, he had decided not to provide for more than Tolliver's basic necessities after prison; it would be good for him to earn his money honestly. Tolliver would probably hate him for a long time, but maybe he'd eventually see the wisdom of it.

Sammy knew he'd miss Barrington, his friends and his quiet life there, but he also figured everyone needed a big change every now and then. He was going out to learn and experience life and talk! His only regret was that he hadn't seen Tallasy before he left. Somehow he'd miss her more than anyone—

His thoughts were interrupted by a loud car horn. Someone was driving right behind the bus and honking continuously. A boy in the back exclaimed about the red sports car. The only red sports car Sammy knew was Tolliver's…

The car sped past the bus and parked some way ahead on the side of the road. Tallasy got out, grabbed her keys, camera, and bag, and slammed the door with a wicked glee. Tolliver wouldn't miss his precious car in prison. With that slam of the door, Tallasy paid back her brother for telling her with such obvious enjoyment, years ago, that she was adopted. The bus had pulled up behind her, and she skipped up the steps, handed over her ticket, and proceeded down the aisle.

Sammy looked up as Tallasy stopped beside him. The smile in his eyes responded to the one on her face.

"Is this seat taken?"

He removed the suitcase from the seat next to him. "No."

"Then I guess I got on the right bus." Her smile spread, and her eyes twinkled as she sat next to him.

Sammy looked at her for a second. She was Tolliver's adopted sister…but not his. He smiled and opened his suitcase. "I have something to show you." He took out the music box, touching it lovingly. He'd missed it all these years. It reminded him of his mother. He opened it, and the familiar tune filled the air. Tallasy's breath caught and he touched the edge of the music box. Her father gave it to his mother, she was sure of it. With a sigh, she rested her head on his shoulder, and he put his cheek against her hair as the bus rolled on through the countryside.