Everything seemed to be back in order.

Pony was back at school, Two-Bit was talking again, and Myrna, Trevor, and me were back at the bakery.

Dally decided to go to New York State and figure everything else out there. He didn't exactly say goodbye. He more so just took a plane up there with no idea what would happen next.

That's Dallas Winston for you.

Two-Bit's boss decided to let him continue work without going to Bartender School. He was good enough at mixing that he didn't have to go to some school to learn about it.

He was still edgy, though. If he saw a van he'd twitch, and every so often he'd just need some time alone. We wouldn't let him go outside alone, and same for me. We especially couldn't be outside without anyone else together.

He was a bit more of himself during that month. He smiled more and seemed to be a bit livelier. The best part was that he actually talked to people. Touching was out of the question, but he was on the path of going from Keith to Two-Bit.

In most of my spare time, because of this, I would try to contact people about a home in another place. Any other town would be helpful.

I didn't want to spend the rest of my life in fear.

The bakery was still in booming business. Myrna, however, was seemingly more and more self-conscious and Trevor was a bit tenser when it came to dealing with the register.

Everyone was affected by the past few months, no matter who they were. If you knew us you were affected by everything that has happened.

"If you ever wanna talk," I found myself saying that to several people, "Just tell me, kay?"

"Yeah, Sweet," Trevor said while kneading dough, "Thanks."

I nodded and headed to the front of the bakery, turning the "closed" sign into an "open".

"Where's Myrna?" I went back behind the counter, "She should be here by now."

"Probably fixing herself up after another date," he said, "You know I think they went out again last night."

"Trevor, yesterday was Sunday," I put on my hairnet, "How do you know where Myrna was?"

"I can sense it." He said dramatically, continuing to knead the dough.

We conversed as we continued to set up the bakery. Muffins were reheated, cakes were made, spoons were used for tasting, etc. It was always pleasant to bake in the morning. Always has and always will.

The only thing that concerned me was Myrna and where she was. I mean she had gone through a slightly traumatic experience selling her body like that. Perhaps she got herself caught up in something on her way there.

Whatever it was it was taking too long.

The clock struck nine and I grabbed my keys ready to go look for Myrna.

"Where do you suppose she is?" Trevor asked, trying to join me.

"I don't know but you are staying here and manning the bakery, understood?" I said, "I should be back in a-"

The bell on the door chimed and we both looked over simultaneously, Myrna stepping in.

She looked as if she had been crying, her hair messy and her clothes less organized and planned out than usual.

I cocked my eyebrow, "Myrna?"

She grinned a very timid grin, "Hi all."

Trevor came up from behind me, "You all right?"

She wiped her eyes and made her grin a smile, "Yeah…"

I knew there was more, "But?"

She took a moment and pulled something out her pocket. She walked over to us, holding it behind her back.

"You remember my sick uncle, right?" she made her way behind the counter.

Trevor and I nodded and she continued, "Well, he's officially passed as of yesterday afternoon."

I sighed, "Oh, Myrna, I'm sorry."

She nodded, "And you know that's the only reason Kent kept dating me. He was just waiting for me to fall deep enough in love with him that he gets put into the will or share some the inheritance with him."

In utter shock I placed my hand on her back, "Myrna, I-"

"Well, that bastard can schmooze al he wants!" she smiled broadly, "'Cause I loved my Uncle Clarence, but he was one rich, sick man!"

She began jumping up and screaming, waving the check in the air rapidly. I was completely speechless and so was Trevor as she cheered and danced in circles.

"How much?" Trevor tried to snatch at the check but Myrna immediately brought it back to her chest, keeping it from him.

"Uncle Clarence left me, are you ready?" she smiled, curling her lip into her mouth, "Okay, Uncle Clarence left me…a million five hundred thousand dollars!"

I cried out loud suddenly, quickly covering my mouth.

"Are…are you serious?" I stammered out after uncovering my mouth.

"He made Hershey Bars," she wiped her eyes once again, "and apparently was very good at it. He was like a ghostwriter, you know? Oh my god I can't believe this is happening. One million five hundred thousand dollars!" She screamed once again.

Trevor's jaw was practically touching the floor, as he stood there just as speechless as I was.

"Well, if you don't mind me asking," I had to ask, "What's with your hair and-"

"Oh, don't worry about me, baby!" she said, "I was up early this morning still celebrating! But after work today I'll be on a shopping spree, hopefully even moving to California like I've always dreamed."

"Wait!" Trevor put up and hand, "You're moving?"

"Oh, most definitely!" She beamed, "With this money I'll be buying myself a nice big house in San Fran, ready to rumble and go to all the decent parties! And yes, you are invited. Oh!" she reached into her pocket and pulled out another check, "This one's for you."

Trevor was confused but accepted the paper nonetheless, his mouth agape and his eyes widening at the sight before him.

"M…I…You…Myr…I…W…Oh my god!" He finally blurted out.

"A full fear year paid engagement to go to Strayer University?" I couldn't believe it.

"Myrna-how-when…did…why…thank you!" He pulled her into a hug, jumping and down in excitement.

"Now you go there and become a cop, okay?" She said after they separated, Trevor nodding excitedly.

"I have to tell my parents!" He ran to the phone in the back room, yelling on his way there.

I hugged Myrna, "My god, I am so happy for-"

She snuck something into my pocket.

I pulled it out, "No, Myrna, I-"

"Sweet, please take it," she pushed my hands to my chest, "You've helped me through so much and besides you can use it to get out of this town. Start a new bakery, but something nice for your boyfriend, and most importantly," she waved her own check in the air, "use it to love and enjoy the most of life."

With complete and true appreciation I pulled her back into the hug, Trevor cheering into the phone to his parents in the back room.

"Take the rest of the day off," I told her once we separated, "or your entire life."

She smiled, "Thanks, but I want to help out around here still."

"Well then at least fix up your hair and look half decent please," I said to her, "You look like you haven't slept."

She nodded and pulled me once again into the hug, "Thank you so much for everything, SweetTooth."

I kissed her cheek, "And thank you too, Myrna."

We separated and she cheered again, heading to the door and bumping into an incoming costumer.

"Oh, so sorry." Myrna said.

"It's fine." The costume quietly said. I did a double take when I saw whom it was that stepped into the bakery.

She put her purse on the table, "My usual, please?"

I smiled. Putting my apron on, "Two muffins coming right up."

Trudy smiled back and I put them in the oven to warm, her surprisingly making conversation.

"I heard you went up to New York," she said as I came back up from bending to the stove, "How was it?"

"Well, I didn't get to sightsee much," I put my arms on the counter, "but it was definitely an experience. Ever been?"

"Unfortunately yet fortunately no," she said, "My parents live up there and if I go there I'll never be allowed to leave."

She chuckled. I chuckled back.

I hesitated, but it was necessary to bring it up, "Trudy…about the night that we-"

She put her hand up, "Sweet, please don't say anymore. It's ancient history," she put her hand down, "Besides, I'm glad I could be a part of helping you with your life. And…in a sense you really helped me out with mine."

"Oh yeah?" I cocked my eyebrow, the timer on the stove dinging.

"Yeah," she said, pulling the exact money out her purse, "You helped me realize that my life was stuck and that I was meeting all the wrong men," she paused, "Not you, though. You were never the wrong man. I mean, you kind of convinced me to go and do what I care to do no matter what anyone says…This is based off of your relationship with the," she lowered her voice, "other man."

"I see," I smiled, "4.15 please."

"That much lower?" she handed me the 8.30 nonetheless, "Turns out you really did lower the price."

I nodded, "So what you gonna do now?"

She put the change I handed her in her purse, "Well, I quit my job the other day and now I am off to Jersey."

I cocked an eyebrow, "Jersey? Why Jersey?"

"My aunt has a farm there that I want to work at," she closed her purse, "As you know I've been very active with natural foods and so on and I think a place like a ranch or a farm will help me.

"You know, the only sad thing about this is that I have no idea what else I really want to do with my life…but that's what you showed me, Sweet. You showed me to take action and experience and question things in my life so I can learn more of myself."

"I never meant to learn it and another's expense." I said sadly.

She joined me in that bit of sadness for a moment. She looked down at her purse, "Sweet…as much as it hurt when you left me there I…I've never been happier."

She smiled that Trudy smile, the smile that I used to see every morning, and the smile that told me, 'the sun's up. Time to make some pastries'.

She was a good woman, Trudy. As much as I lied and used her, though, I couldn't regret it now knowing that she was happy. Of course a part of me told me she was lying and inside she truly hated my guts, but unlike me Trudy was an honest person; a good person, and she would definitely make some man very happy, just as happy as she is one day.

She checked her watch, "Well, I have to go. My plane leaves in a couple hours and I still have to pack."

We looked at each other for a moment, my hand slowly taking hers, the Band-Aid still on her finger from the night we had our date. Gently I kissed her hand, my lips strangely enough remembering the warm feeling of her nature-loving and caring hands. Her soft skin brushed against my lips the way they did the first time this happened.

Once I looked back up at her she was smiling, "I'll miss you, Sweet."

Her fingers curled into the crevasses between mine, me smiling, "Best of luck to you."

She picked up the bag of muffins with her free hand, "Ditto."

Our hands separated and she left, the door leaving a marvelously comforting breeze in her place.

Trevor came in from the back room, a smile still on his face.

"Where'd Myrna go?" He asked, kissing the paper.

"She went to get spruced up," I felt my hand, remembering the way Trudy had written her address on it.

"Well my mom wants me to marry her," he said, "Can you imagine? Me and Myrna together in a house with kids and-"

He began to laugh, "I can't even finish the visual!" he suddenly made a disgusted face and stopped laughing, "I just thought of another one."

I smiled and felt the check in my pocket, another jingle at the door as another costumer came in.

Myrna came back about an hour later, her hair fixed and her clothes now neat and organized. She was still in a delightful mood, thus the rest of the day was rather pleasant. People were in there all day thus the celebration would have to wait.

It was nearing the end of the day and I was definitely ready to go home. A final costumer stood there, a few people scattered about the few tables we had in the bakery.

"Mrs. Harris," I spoke louder, "We don't have anymore pumpkin muffins. You'll have to come back t-"

"What?" She asked, squinting her eyes through her glasses.

I was at a loss, "I said-"

"There are no more pumpkin muffins, ma'am," Myrna jumped in, "You'll have to come back tomorrow."

She nodded and smiled, "Thank you, kind lady," she waved to me, "Have a nice evening, Jack!"

I turned to her, "Bless you."

"Hone, I just wanna get the hell out o' here before the stores close!" She said, wiping down the counter.

The few people at the tables began to leave, Myrna constantly eye-balling them in hopes that they would go so she could too. Trevor hummed as he whipped the frosting, the table costumers still there. After a while of humming he began singing Dark side of the Moon as loud as he could, the people at the table finally leaving. Once they did Myrna kissed Trevor on the cheek and cheered, removing her hair net and rushing to the back room.

"My god," he rubbed his cheek, "My mom's dreams are coming true."

I smiled and called the stove, Trevor quickly putting a smile back on his face.

As I scrubbed the inside of the oven as the door chimed, Myrna groaning in disapproval.

Before I could turn to see them, though Myrna pranced by, her coat and hat on as she headed out, "Whoever it is, you boys deal with it," I heard her open the door, "I got some money to spend!"

She shut the door and left, me coming up from the ground just as a familiar voice asked, "Is this a bad time?"

I didn't aspect to see her in the bakery, but there she was, cocking an eyebrow and holding her son in her arms.

"It's never a bad time for my favorite flower," I smiled, walking in front of the counter and giving her a hug, "Nice to have you here, Iris."

"Glad to be," she smiled, "I was just walking with Coca around town and finally decides to come in and try that SweetTooth Supreme everyone's been talking about."

"Well, you're just in luck," I smiled, "'cause one SweetTooth Supreme is coming right up."

Trevor, not wanting to stay but wanting to meet another friend of mine, came from behind the counter to Myrna, extending his hand to her.

'Trevor Malone." He smiled.

"Iris Curtis," she shook, "and this is Coca."

"Coca?" I heard him ask.

"Yup, and he has a twin sister named Cola, but she's at home with her father." Iris said. Trevor turned to me and I shrugged, a smug grin on my face.

They proceeded to make conversation for a while, Iris seemingly intrigued by his high hopes to become a police officer and Trevor interested in her children's names.

I took the frosting Trevor had whipped earlier and put it next to the oven as I waited for the cake to finish.

I sat down next to the two of them, Trevor somehow taking that as his queue to leave.

"It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Curtis," he smiled, "Give your husband my regards."

"Nice meeting you too, Mr. Malone," she replied, "Good luck with Strayer."

"I'll be needing it," he muttered as he headed to the door, "See you tomorrow, Sweet."

"You too, Trev." I called.

Once he left it was just Iris and I, Iris looking around the bakery.

"My god, I can't believe I've never been in here." She sighed, continuing to admire the room.

"Well, the cake's gonna take a while," I said, "but I don't mind it. I like the company."

She smiled and we began to talk.

I told her about how Two-Bit has been improving, and apparently Darry the same.

"I guess that talk they had really worked out, huh?" She smiled, little Coca asleep in her arms.

"Yeah," I leaned back in my chair, "Guess it did."

There was a pause as I stared at Coca, picking out his looks and his similarities to his mother and father. How he had Darry's hair and Iris's straight nose. How his skin was like a cream or a frosting. The way his lips were pink as cherries.

He was a combination of two people in love.

After seeing Trudy I needed to have someone answer this for me, "Iris…when did you know that you wanted to marry Darry?"

She looked up from her baby to me, slightly unsure of what I had asked. Then, after a pause she smiled and said, "As much as I would love to say, 'from the moment I laid eyes on him' in all honesty it was our third date."

"What about the third date?" I asked, "Sorry if I'm being nosy."

"Not at all," she smiled, lowering her voice a little so Coca could sleep, "Well…I don't really know, Sweet. All I know is that when I saw him that evening something told me that he was the one for me. I just…I just didn't want to be without him."

I began to recall the day I concluded that I had loved Two-Bit. The day Pony and Darry were getting ready to head up to Maryland and me and him had settled down for some cake and TV.

We watched Mickey and ate cake for what seemed like hours, but neither of us wanted to stop.

Soon, though, the program changed to some other show, Two-Bit angrily dinking more into the couch and turning off the TV.

He looked at me making an obnoxiously angered face and I made it back.

I smiled at the memory of making faces with him.

At that point exactly I fully understood what Ms. Mathews was talking about.

It wasn't just the perfection. It was the pure and simple fact that I didn't want to look away from his smile. I didn't want to leave his presence.

I didn't want to leave him.

It was true. It was very true that that was the day I realized I loved him. It was true that that was possibly one of the best days of my life.

My god I never wanted that kiss to end.

Looking over at Iris she was smiling at me.

"What?" I asked.

She sighed, "Oh, Sweet, you have so many questions about love and life. And frankly not many people can answer them. Just…I know how cliché this might sound, but all you can do, Sweet, is follow your heart," she looked down at her son, "and wonderful things are to happen."

I smiled at her and her son. She made him with a man she loved, unlike my mother. She created two gorgeous children with someone she plans to spend the rest of her days with.

And she's happy with that person.

I never wanted Two-Bit to get out of my grasp. Not a day in my life could I imagine us not together, even though he had been changed by the experience he had gone through. It had changed me. It had changed all of us.

And before I knew it, I was more prepared for the biggest decision I would ever make in my life.