Back at Cornfield, the weather has remained constant enough for Amelia to deliver food orders. It was her new favorite part of her job as a café owner, and she was so glad she actually went through with it.

"That should be the last of 'em," she muttered to herself as she packed the last of her things. The last delivery was on the same road where the late Mrs. Onner's house was, and she found herself slowing as she neared the house. The woman's car, Constantine's, was not back, just as it had been six days ago.

"Maybe she'd gone back," Amelia muttered, heading toward her cafe. She had seemed interesting that first day—slightly out of place, as many city people were when visiting suburban or rural spots. Pretty, too, but rarely smiled. She would have been prettier if she smiled more.

[I don't think I have that anymore.]

Amelia paused after swinging the door of her living room open, remembering the raw emotion weighing down that soft confession. She ended up blurting whatever was in her head at that time, not really knowing what to say to offer comfort. Unbidden, her eyes moved to the picture frame that was placed face down, in the corner of the room she rarely looked at.

She picked up the picture and blew off some of the dust, the two smiling faces greeting her like ghosts from the past.

She couldn't help but smile a little, remembering how simple life had been before when she believed she knew where her place was.

Her phone suddenly rang due to an incoming call, surprising her to the point of almost dropping the picture frame. She sighed in relief as she managed to catch it on time. She paused for a second before putting it back face down.

She threw a dirty look at her ringing phone before tapping the accept button, brows furrowed. "Wh–"

"Amelia! Oh, I was about to drop the call. What took you so long to answer?"

"–Hey, Ma," Amelia breathed, blinking rapidly. That was close. "Uh, do you need me for something?"

"I was calling to remind you of the planned family dinner for your sister's high school graduation."

Amelia couldn't help the small wince. ". . . Yeah, I remember."

"Oh, what's with that tone?" her mother chided. "Don't tell me you actually forgot? Your sister has been talking about this for weeks!"​

"No, no, I remember, honest," Amelia quickly replied as she practically sagged on herself. "Don't worry, I'll be there."

"Perfect! It's been so long since you visited home." Amelia could hear the pointed tone even through the phone, and she was torn between feeling guilty and endearingly weary. "Oh, this is such a happy occasion! Another professional! That would make everyone in the family, right?"​

Amelia pursed her lips tight, making sure to keep the sigh from getting out. "Mhmm." She never really meant them, she told herself. Her mother just tends to let her words come out when she's talking to family without much filter.

​Even so, she couldn't help but feel like she was describing the story of her life. She took a seat on the sofa's arm, humming absently as she listened to her mother giving updates on the latest "home upgrade" she and her father had been doing. She'd been complaining about how low the sink was since she was ten.

"Oh, right, I almost forgot! Guess who I saw the other day during my grocery run?" She sounded excited now. Amelia made an inquiring hum.

"It's Jonah!"

All thoughts seemed to cease in Amelia's mind as she felt her body freeze. She stayed quite a moment too long before she asked, ". . . He's back?"​

She feared her voice was too quiet to hear, but her mother answered cheerily, "For almost a week now, he said! " She was pretty much gushing now. "He'd grown into such a handsome young man! Honestly, it's making me feel so old remembering how the two of you were connected at the hip when you were both younger."

Amelia's fingers twitched, but she kept holding the phone to her ear.​

"I extended an invitation to him and his family for dinner tomorrow, too. He said his parents are out of town at the moment, but he should be free to come."

"He's coming?" Amelia asked, eyes widening and her grip on her phone slacking, almost dropping her phone. It's been so long–too long, since she'd seen Jonah, and she wasn't sure how to face him now, let alone talk to him. When was the last time they met?

Oh right. I think it's during that time.

"I can't wait to see you tomorrow, dear. It will be a great night!"

​Amelia wanted to groan. Her eyes travelled back to that face-down picture, and Constantine's words echoed again in her head. No, Ma. I don't think it will be a great night at all.