Ib walked outside to see Garry standing in the place which they had said their good-byes to Mary. Several days had passed, and while Ib had cried herself out, Garry remained stoic and firm for her sake. The setting sun made the area around them golden, and for an unknown reason made Garry's sadness all the more vivid to Ib. She wanted to go up to him and ask him if he was all right, but she knew the moment she did, he would smile in his usual manner and tell her that he was. Regardless, she walked to him, but stopped part ways. The heartache that was in his eyes was almost too much for her to bear.

"Was this all right?" Garry asked.

Swallowing his overwhelming urge to release his tears, he hid his grief with a smile. "…It sure was."

"So… what are you going to do now?"Garry questioned.

"I made a promise to find the 'real' Mary, didn't I?" Roy answered. "So, I'll be leaving soon. I can't just sit by and do nothing. I have a promise to keep."

"…I see," Garry smiled sadly.

Ib reached out to hold Garry's hand, but froze. Instead, she leaned her head on his back and closed her eyes. Garry continued to stare at the same place, his eyes void of any happiness. She knew that he was mentally and physically spent from withholding any expression of sorrow or pain just to ensure her wellbeing. Many times, he held her in his arms as she cried for the loss of her dear friend. All they had wanted was for Mary to be happy, but that had been taken away from her. Unable to bring herself to ask of her husband's comfort, she walked away and entered their apartment, where she leaned back on the door and wept bitter tears. So many memories were held in this place, and their presence was a constant reminder of what had been and what was lost.

Days went by, and the distance Ib put between her and Garry was starting to get noticed. Shane grew concerned for his cousin; Garry would always be there for Ib, but the distance she showed to him was alarming. It was not unknown that she was not particularly an emotional woman, but still… Shane decided to step in and offer some aid in the form not of a family member, but as a friend. One rainy day, Shane entered his old apartment (he still had his key, which he had forgotten to turn in when he moved out) and waited for Garry to return home. When he went inside, he was astonished to see blankets and a pillow on the couch, and not a doubt arose in his mind that Garry was the one who slept there. Ib was in the bedroom sorting through clothes, and Shane decided not to disturb her. Once Garry returned home, Shane met him outside and offered him a cigarette. Unbeknownst to him, Shane had left the door cracked.

"No, thanks," Garry smiled. "I haven't smoked in years."

"Right. Forgot about that," Shane smirked.

"So, what's up?" Garry asked. "It's unusual for you to be around here."

Shane drew his cigarette then exhaled a puff of smoke. "I'm not going to beat around the bush here, Garry. I'm worried about you and Ib."

Garry looked out at the puddles of water that were around the parking lot. "That obvious, huh?"

Shane nodded. "You bet. What's going on with you two? I know losing Mary is difficult, and Roy leaving wasn't easy either."

Garry looked down at his hands which gripped the banister.

Roy stood in front of Garry, luggage in a taxi that was waiting for him to depart. Ib hid behind Garry, her eyes filled with tears. The rising sun was just starting to peak over the mountains, and it colored the land golden and orange. With Mary's "passing", Roy had understandably become despondent and quiet. His apartment was now empty, but it had felt void of anything since she faded away.

Garry exhaled sadly and smiled for Roy, who was so broken. "Well, this is it, huh?"

Roy nodded. "Looks like it." He looked back at the taxi then at Garry. "It's been a blast, man. I'm really glad to have met you and Ib. I hope you know that."

Garry nodded as well. "We never doubted it."

Roy smiled and diverted his eyes to the rising sun. "You know, it's a funny thing."

"What is?"

"How this all started. We were all just total strangers merely passing along. I never had a purpose in life, and when I met you all, I found it. I was never meant to do anything special, but I think that through it all, I was a part of something that was so special… that despite all the pain and heartache, I would not take it back for the world." Roy closed his eyes, a smile still on his face. "It may sound silly… childish, even… but, that's what I truly believe."

Garry shook his head. "Not at all. I understand exactly what you mean." At this, Roy opened his eyes and looked at Garry. "Even though I was so young, I found my purpose so many years ago inside that painting. It is indeed a funny thing how events get set into motion."

Roy laughed, but his sadness still could not be hidden. "Listen to us, sounding all prophetic." He then placed his hand on Garry's shoulder. "…Thanks a lot, Garry. I couldn't have done any of this without your help."

Humbled, Garry simply nodded then hugged his best friend. "No thanks is needed. Just be careful out there."

They released each other, and Roy took a step back. He swallowed hard, but put on an audacious smile for his friends. He started to walk to the taxi-

"Roy," Garry called, prompting him to stop. Roy looked back at Garry. "Good luck finding her."

Roy nodded. "I know that… it won't be her… but I promised. And with all the crummy luck I've had lately, I think some good karma is in store for me." He smiled again for them. "Well! This is really it! I'm outta here!"

Garry laughed. "Get outta here, you big oaf."

With a laugh and a final wave good-bye, Roy got in the taxi, which proceeded to drive off. Garry and Ib watched it until it disappeared beyond the valleys. Unable to speak due to her tears, Ib simply left Garry and went inside. Alone, Garry stood rooted to that spot while the sun continued to rise. Even though it was the start to a new day, they all felt as if they wanted time to revert to the days of the past that were once full of happiness and laughter. But, with the rising sun, those days were gone, only to have new ones continue to come.

Garry sighed. "No, it certainly wasn't." He smelled Shane's cigarette smoke, and even though he immensely wanted a cigarette, he withstood the urge. Despite all that he had went through, he refused to start smoking again. "…Ib's growing ever more distant, and I'm not sure why. I've done my best to be there for her and to support her… I know this has hurt her so much."

Shane took one last draw from his cigarette, exhaled the puff of smoke, and threw it at his feet to the ground. He stepped on it and shifted his foot over it in order to put it out. "I don't think this is about her anymore, Garry. I honestly think it's about you."

This statement took Garry by surprise. He jerked, but kept his eyes locked onto the puddles. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is that you've hid everything for so long that she probably thinks you don't care."

Garry whirled around, his eyes full of anger. "Wha- Shane! How could you say that?! How could she think that?! Of course I care! I just can't- no!- I won't show her what I'm truly feeling because she needs me to be strong for her!"

Used to Garry's fury, Shane did not sugar coat anything. "Needs you to be strong? Garry, don't you see? She wants to grieve with you. She doesn't know how, though, because all you've ever been is strong. No matter what, you always kept a smile on your face and gave it your all just to guarantee her safety and contentment. In a way, your selflessness was also selfishness. I understand it now. She's distanced herself because she is doing exactly what you've been doing to her. She doesn't want to be a burden."

Garry turned away and clenched the banister again. Everything Shane said was excruciatingly accurate. All he had wanted to do was to be there for Ib and to protect her, but he also voided her of any connection or ability to comfort him or feel sorrow with him. For the longest time, the only noise that could be heard was the sound of the rain. Shane turned around and leaned his body onto the banister.

"You can come on out, Ib. I know you've been listening." Garry did not turn around; he was afraid at what would happen next, and he was not sure why. He heard the door creak fully open and Ib's feet shuffling on out. Shane stood upright and sighed. "Well, I'll leave you two alone for a moment." He walked inside and closed the door. Timidly, Ib walked up beside Garry and placed her hands on the banister.

"How much did you hear?" Garry asked.

"I heard enough." She twiddled her thumbs for a moment. "…I'm sorry, Garry. I really didn't mean to be so distant. I truly am an awful person for doing this to you during a time such as this."

Garry shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Ib. I'm sorry, too."

Again, only rain was heard for the longest time. Ib looked up at her husband's face to see it stoic again. She wanted to help him, but she was afraid he would get frustrated with her. Yet, she decided to give it a try.

"It's okay, you know."

"Huh?"

"To let it all out. It's okay."

Garry shook his head. "Don't be silly. I'm fine."

Ib smiled sadly. "…Humans can only be strong for so long. You've done your part, and you've done it well," she said as she reached and laced her fingers into Garry's fingers. Garry's eyes widened, and he locked his eyes onto the puddles again. "It's okay. You can let it all go now."

The kindness in Ib's words took him by surprise, and before he could stop himself, he felt a tear glide down his cheek. Shortly, more began to fall, and soft sobs escaped his lips. Pain, torment, and heartache that had been pent up inside was finally released, and this time, it was Ib's turn to be the one for support. She stood there in silence, her hand wrapped around his, the barrier around them at last broken.

The only thing left to do now was to heal.