Home Again


Fantine found herself sitting in the passenger seat. Lucien sat beside her.

She knew this scene from when she left the repair shop.

How would Esther react?


Esther stood next to a stereo.

"It's been a full year since you...," the stereo said.

"Slapped the price tag on the small fan?" Esther replied. "I get it, Melody. I'm guilty."

Melody nodded.


The car parked in front of the house. Lucien was the first to be carried in. Fantine was taken in next.

"Welcome back," Hope's mother said. "How was your first two semesters of college?"

Hope smiled. "Relatively boring."

Fantine was carried into a room with a stereo and a fan. She was set on a desk.

Hope left a few minutes later.

The three appliances came to life.

Melody glanced at Fantine. "Okay, Esther, she's right here."

Esther opened her eyes. "That's not the fan I remember. She looks slightly different."

Fantine just stared. "Of course, I was sold to a parts shop, then repaired."

Esther's eyes widened. "I... didn't want that to happen." She backed away.

Melody glanced at Esther. "But it did." She hopped off the shelf and got a closer look at Fantine.

"I... I... expected you to go some place else. Another home?"

Melody turned her attention back to Esther. "It's your fault."

"I'm sorry," Esther replied, hanging her head.

"Well, this is a start!" Melody chuckled.