I rummaged through the ash and charred debris of what had once been my home. There was nothing left. Nothing but a pile of burned wood sunken in a stone foundation. As I began to stand, a glint caught my eye. I moved to the right and shifted the residue until I found the melted hunk of gold that had once been the pocket watch my grandfather Imas had brought over from Ireland with him. It was sealed from heat and the engraved picture was no longer discernible, but I put it in my pocked anyway.

"Did you find anything?"

I stood up and attempted to brush myself off. The task only smeared what grime was on me. I made my way to the edge of the ruins, being mindful of where I stepped, and approached Connor. He held out his hand to me and I took it. He guided me back to the earth and then released my fingers slowly.

I shook my head at him.

I was unsure why he had insisted on bringing me here. I had no desire to visit the site from my childhood, but he had led me here purposefully. I had not opposed him, but followed obediently. If his intent had been to grant me closure, I did not need it. The location of what I had lost didn't sadden me, or make me jealous. I felt no emotion at all coming back here. It never occurred to me that he had accompanied me here because he wanted resolution for himself.

"I am sorry," he said.

I gave him a smile to let him know that everything was all right then went to stand beneath the oak tree where my long dead pet cat was buried. I noticed indentations in the bark and traced them with my finger. I smiled.

"I had just learned to spell my name when I did this," I spoke. I don't know if I was talking to Connor or just remembering.

I released the knife from my boot and etched the sloppy letters deeper. I was aware of Connor behind me, watching me. But he said nothing.

Once I was finished, I wiped the blade on my pants and held it out to him.

"Keep it," he told me.

"Are you sure?"

He nodded. "You have earned it."

I thanked him and replaced it to it's proper place.

I leaned back against the trunk of the tree and looked at him. His brown eyes wandered the scenery and eventually met mine.

"Does it ever get any easier?" I asked.

"No."

He did not hesitate or think on what answer to give, only told me the truth. I respected that about him.

"When are you leaving?"

Connor looked at the ground. "Before nightfall," he said. "I am to meet Sam at the State House soon."

"I will tell Elizabeth bye for you," I told him. "She will be sad at not getting to see you off."

An abashed smile played at his lips. "She is a nice lady. I did not like lying to her."

"I know."

I could not hide the bruises on my face from Mrs. Adams at lunch. She was insistent on some explanation of what had happened, but there was no way I could tell her the truth. Connor had fabricated the tale of bandits attacking me to pacify her. And as any gentleman would in such a story, he had come to my rescue. Mrs. Adams had been impressed by the lie and by him. She had thanked him a dozen times and offered to repay him in any way he saw fit. He had played if off as nothing, but her fondness was everlasting.

There was an uneasy silence where we both fidgeted idly and waited for the other to speak. It was I who eventually spoke first.

"Can you do something for me?"

"That depends," he said. "What is it you want me to do?"

I suddenly felt embarrassed and considered telling him to forget it. I took a deep breath worked up the courage and quietly asked him to teach me to say his name.

Connor looked at me for a moment with a confused countenance. "My name? Why do you want to know how to say my name?"

I felt my cheeks grow warm and looked down at the ground. I shrugged. "I'd just like to remember it," I muttered.

"Okay."

I looked back at him. He pronounced his name and I asked him to repeated it more slowly. He did. I attempted to repeat it, but failed. He tried to hold back a chuckle at my mispronunciation. He corrected me. After a few more tries, I managed to say it right. Or as right as I could. It seemed to make him happy that I put so much effort into learning his true name. He smiled at me.

"Do you prefer I call you 'Victoria' as Sam does, or 'Tori' like Mrs. Adams?" he asked.

"I only let people I care about call me by my nickname," I told him. "I suppose you've earned the right as well."

"I am honored."

I couldn't tell if he was being serious or coy, so I only smiled at him.

"Ratonhnhake:ton," I spoke.

"Tori," he replied.

"I'm glad I met you."

"I am glad I met you as well."

I took a slow step closer to him. Connor didn't back away. So I kissed him. It was nice. A little awkward and somewhat clumsy, but nice. I pulled away and looked at him. He fidgeted for a moment, glancing around as if unsure what to do next.

"I-I should go," he said. "To meet Sam."

I nodded. "Be safe." My voice sounded timid, but he smiled.

"You as well."

I stood under the tree for a while after he had gone and wondered if I would ever see him again. Once my anxiety at our kiss faded, I went home.