As much as Elaine would have loved to have moved directly from Arnie's apartment to one of her own in New York, it was hardly that simple. She counted her blessings for Gwen, her hero every step of the way and making room for three extended houseguests.

The schools weren't thrilled at the notion of another transfer. Christmas break was still a couple of weeks away, and it made the most sense to wait until the New Year. Of course, this added to her persisting guilt about leaving Arnie. She'd hardly remembered the holiday and hadn't decorated a bit. Fortunately, Gwen was well prepared on that front, but nothing she could say took her mind off of how lonely Arnie must be. This eventually led to a phone call, asking Arnie if he wanted to join in their festivities. Despite his rejections, come Christmas Day he showed up at Gwen's door. As bittersweet as it was, both Arnie and Elaine were happy to share the day as their last memory all together.

Come 1985, it became clear that apartment searching by phone was getting her nowhere. If not for Vince, the kids would have been starting school again in Chicago.

"I'm not looking forward to traveling with them again," Elaine said the night before the flight.

"It will be fine," Gwen assured, sitting on Elaine's suitcase while she zippered it. "It's different this time."

"I'm glad Vince is being so agreeable. I think it's been harder on him not seeing the kids than he wants to admit." Zipping the last side, she finished by saying, "There."

Gwen hopped down from the bed. "How long do you think you'll be there?"

"Hopefully not long. I can't afford a hotel for more than a few days. I'm praying I can find a big enough apartment in my price range. That's always the biggest struggle."

"You can't stay with one of your friends?"

"They don't even know I'm coming. I never called Alex. Not intentionally, but with everything going on I didn't think of it until too late. There's way too much to talk about for a phone conversation. I don't want to tell the others because it will get back to him. Staying with him is out of the question, Latka and Simka didn't have the room even before the baby was born, Louie, forget it, and the others I don't want to impose. I haven't kept in touch enough."

Gritting her teeth, Gwen said, "Good luck."

"I'll need it," Elaine muttered to herself.

After a moment, Gwen added, "I still can't believe you're going. I know you'll be back for your things but it isn't the same."

"I kind of can't believe it either. I was so determined to figure things out with Arnie and start over here. I was excited about it at first. I don't know what happened."

"You denied yourself, that's what."

"People move and make changes all the time. Why can't I?"

"Because you found a place where you belong. That's all anyone wants out of life."

"You've lived a few different places," Elaine started. "Did you ever go through this?"

"Not really," she admitted. "But I was always looking for that place where everything made sense. I did for a while, but things change. That's when people start over. It sounds like you were happy with how things used to be."

"That's what baffles me. I spent all that time waiting for change. I felt stuck at the garage and at a standstill at the gallery. I wanted so much more. I finally got it, and I blew it."

Gwen tapped Elaine's wrist. "Stop being so hard on yourself. It didn't work for you. Plain as that. No shame in making another change."

"At Arnie's expense," Elaine added bitterly. "And let's not forget I'm harboring the thought of Alex, who probably isn't going to be as readily open to the idea of finally giving us a try."

"He wrote the letter, didn't he?"

"Only because he thought I would never read it. He's always terrible at expressing any kind of affection. Not just with me. I can't tell you how many times I've had to push him to open up to a woman."

Coyly, Gwen mused, "Ironic, hmm?"

"Don't get my hopes up."

"I'm just saying don't give up yet."

"I'm moving back there, aren't I?" Elaine said. "I pray the gallery will hire me back. I haven't been too worried on the job front. Maybe I should be. At least I have more connections in New York than I did here. I sure got lucky."

"Have you told them you're leaving yet?"

Elaine nodded. "Yes, Mildred was a dear about the whole thing. I'll stop in again before I leave for good. I'll miss them all. I got more attached than I realized."

Sitting back down on the bed, Gwen said, "I'm sure gonna miss having you here."

Elaine sat next to her. "You ever think you'd consider moving to New York?"

"In a second if I could afford it," she chuckled bitterly. "And knowing someone who already has connections to buyers? It would be a dream come true."

"Maybe I'll have to find an apartment to fit all of us," Elaine said squeezing her arm.

"Oh please. You'll be married to Alex before you know it."

Elaine rolled her eyes. "You met him for less than an hour. You're too optimistic."

"You're too pessimistic."

Standing up again, Elaine went back to stuffing another suitcase. "We'll make it happen someday – moving you to New York. I refuse to get too involved with any thoughts surrounding Alex until I've seen him again."