Henry went to the mailbox after having seen the mail truck drive off. He'd stopped hoping for word from his son, so wasn't even thinking about Shawn as he opened the box and pulled out the envelopes inside.

He went through them, one by one, as he walked back to his front door. It was just as he was about to enter that he came across and envelope with a familiar handwriting. Dropping all the other mail, he quickly ripped open the letter.

Dear Papa Bear,

Sorry it's taken me so long to write, but you know what it's like when you have so much to do and so little time. And then there's the fact that I didn't really have access to a mailbox as I ride through the desert on my camel.

Did you know that camels have three eyelids and two sets of eyelashes? It's a little known fact but it makes them really good at flirting – with other camels, I guess. Of course Gus would say that their eyelids are to protect them from sand, but I've heard it both ways.

But on to more serious matters. What have you been up to? Sacrificing fish for the gods of the barbeque? Bought any new loud and embarrassing shirts? How's Fred?

Everything is good here. I'm busy and healthy and so you don't need to worry about me. Give Mom my love and say "hi" to Gus.

Shawn

"Who the hell is Fred?" Henry muttered as he leaned over to pick up his fallen mail. "And really Shawn – camels?" He chuckled as he opened his door and walked into the house.

For some reason the completely ridiculous and non-informative letter from his son had cheered him up enormously. Oh, there was also a measure of irritation too. Why the hell couldn't the kid just tell him where he was and what he was doing? On the other hand, in this short letter he heard echoes of the former Shawn. He didn't know how much of it was a show, or how much of it was real, but it made him feel as if the world was returning to normal and was a bit brighter.

But he wished he knew where Shawn was. He looked at the torn envelope to check the postmark. He was pretty sure that Shawn wasn't riding a camel through some far off desert – unless it was the Mojave desert.

He squinted down at the letter but couldn't quite read it. He searched through his desk drawer until he found an old magnifying glass and peered through it.

"So, you're still in California," Henry murmured. He could see a zip code and quickly looked it up on line. "Los Angeles," he sighed. Even though Los Angeles was close, there was no way he'd find his son in such a big city. At least Shawn seemed to be doing okay – causing his father some relief.

Henry sat down on the couch, all of a sudden feeling tired. The last few months had been stressful and he still worried, every day, about Farris. He felt a moment of familiar anger at Shawn for taking off like he had – although if he was honest with himself, he missed his son more than he was angry at him.

"Papa Bear," he said softly, and laughed. God, he really missed Shawn.

Shawn's heart rate went up when he saw the email in his inbox. It was from the college and he knew his grades had been posted.

In the past he had worried at report card time, not because he cared all that much about his grades, but because he knew his parents would be disappointed (again) in him. He had never really tried in school and his grades had reflected that. This time, however, he did care and was surprised at how nervous he was.

He bit his lip and stared at the unopened email for a long time. He knew he'd have to open it eventually, but his habit through the years had been to avoid unpleasant things.

Finally, with a sigh, he clicked on the email and it opened. His eyes quickly scanned the document and a slow grin appeared on his face. A moment later he stood and did a happy dance across the floor, singing Footloose.

A few minutes later he collapsed onto the couch. "Take that Gus!" he cried. "I got straight "A's"." He did a shoulder dance while seated.

For the first time in his life he had excelled at something academic. He had worked and studied and he had done well. And he was damned proud of himself. He wanted to pick up the phone and call Gus – but then stopped. He hadn't been in touch with his friend in the months he'd been here and it seemed tacky to call to simply brag.

He had a brief thought that maybe he was growing up, if he hesitated bragging to his closest friend.

The next moment he thought about calling his father, but then convinced himself that his father wouldn't believe him. And, he'd have to disclose where he was and what he was doing.

It wasn't that he was hiding – not really. It was just that he had needed time away. He'd needed to rediscover himself. He hadn't realized how damaged he'd been by Farris and what the sadist had put him through.

The last few months had been good. He'd done well at college and had had a chance to discover some things about himself. In some strange way he'd always lived in Gus' shadow – at least academically. He always figured that Gus was the book smart one, while he was the naturally astute one. But now, he'd been able to prove to himself, and others, that he could do well at something – at least something beyond his incredible observation skills.

So – what to do now? The semester was over and the summer stretched out ahead of him. He had a part time job as a bartender at a local student bar. It was fun, and gave him an opportunity for social interaction, without requiring any serious friendships.

But did he really want to spend the summer here, with little or nothing to do?

He could attend summer school, which he might decide to do, but that would still leave him a lot of free time.

He could try and come up with a hobby, although off the top of his head he couldn't think of anything he was that interested in doing.

Maybe – just maybe, he should go home to Santa Barbara. He'd given his friends space and he'd had a chance to heal on his own. But now – now he yearned to see his Dad and Gus – Lassie and – Jules.

With a decisive nod he stood and bounced over to his closet and grabbed his duffle bag. He'd go home for a visit.

Bill Farris drove to Henry Spencer's house once more and parked across the street. He was filled with anger that Shawn had gotten away from him and was determined to punish him for what he'd done. Farris knew, if he was patient, Spencer would return to his father's house.

He smiled and slowly drove away. He'd return tomorrow, and the next day, and the day after that until the younger Spencer came home.

And then he'd get his revenge.