Chapter 12: The prodigal son returns

"So, after that, my parents just practically forced him out, telling him to never come and see me again!" Liz exclaimed, happy to know that Tuck, Mae, and Miles were all there to listen to her story.

"Oh, you poor baby!" Mae exclaimed, and embraced Liz.

Liz started to cry. "I miss Jesse a lot, Mrs. Tuck..."

Tears also rolled out of Mae's eyes. "If only I'd known what was wrong with the boy...oh, he hasn't been in love since...well, for what it felt like more than fifty years!"

Miles examined Liz. She looked so much like that Winnie Foster girl, except perhaps a lot more appealing. He decided to be a little soft for her. "I can call Jess and ask him to come back!"

Liz turned to Miles, and smiled sweetly. "Would you really do that for me, Miles?"

Miles laughed. "Yeah, it's no big deal anyways. Jess and I are close. Been a bit upset with me since I told him I'm going off to war, though."

Without thinking, Liz gave Miles a hug. "Thank you so much," she whispered.

Miles felt like he was floating on a cloud! Liz felt so warm, so calming...

After Liz let go of Miles, he quickly got out his cell phone and dialed a number. "Hello, is this Jess?"

"Yeah," Jesse answered. "Look, Miles, I was gonna call you anyways, so I'm glad you called. Tell Ma and Pa that I'm coming home!"

Miles beamed in excitement! "Jesse's comin' home! Jesse's comin' home!"

Mae and Tuck simpered in delight! "Are you sure, Miles! Is it really my Jesse!" Mae exclaimed.

Liz merely smiled faintly. It was nice how Jesse's was coming home, but she wondered if she wanted to face him. What if he had moved on? What if he was only coming home to introduce his new girlfriend to his family? She turned to Miles. "Hey, while we're waiting for Jesse, can you take me outside?"

Miles nodded, still smiling.

The cabin was located in the woods similar to the one that the Tucks had lived in before. Miles led Liz to the small creek. This time it was a creek, last time it was a lake. Big deal.

"Close your eyes," Miles whispered.

Liz felt a bit insecure. "Why?"

Miles laughed. "Don't worry, I'm not gonna hurt you or anything!"

Liz laughed. Yes, Miles was right. He was a Tuck, and after all, he was Jesse's brother. He couldn't be so bad. Liz closed her eyes, although still letting her ears stay alert.

"Now, relax." Miles said softly. "Listen to all the sounds you can hear. The current of the water, the chirping of the birds, the wind, brushing against the grass...you hear that?"

Liz nodded.

"Now, tell me, what is it that you hear?"

"Life" Liz answered.

Miles grinned. "Great answer. Yes, life is exactly what you hear..." Miles Tuck wondered if he should tell Winnie about the Tucks' secret.

"Is that it?" Liz asked, impatiently.

Never mind, Miles thought. "Yeah, that's it."

Liz opened her eyes and saw Miles. He had Jesse's same eyes, but he wasn't Jesse. He was a lot older, and Liz could tell his pain by just staring into his eyes. It looked like Miles knew a lot more than Liz. It was as if Miles was her older brother who had long found out that Santa Claus isn't real, and she was a little kid, his little sister.

"We better go." Liz finally said.

And just as Liz and Miles climbed back up to the small cabin cottage, there was Jesse Tuck, parking his Harley a few feet away from his house, looking as magnificent as ever.

"Ah, the prodigal son returns!" Miles exclaimed, and ran up to Jesse to give him a nice manly hug.