"No, Neil. They’re not.”
“I don’t’ care anymore.”
“Neil,” I breathed. This wasn’t what I wanted. “I’m coming back.”
“For your project.”
“For you.”
“Yeah, right. When do you want to leave?”
“I don’t want to leave,” I said, frustrated.
He just raised an eyebrow.
“The sooner I get back to Boston, the sooner I can return.”
"I'll be waiting in the truck.”
"Neil, please. I'm trying to do the responsible thing here."
"Right. Responsible." He didn't turn around.
I SPENT THE NEXT TWOhours packing the documents for travel. My overnight bag sat by the door. I hadn't brought much to Vermont in the first place. A few changes of clothes, toiletries, my laptop. It all fit in one duffle.
Three days of life packed in ten minutes.
I heard voices from the kitchen and recognized Tonya's laugh. My stomach sank. Of course they'd come. Of course, Neil had called them.
When I emerged from the workshop, Kevin and Tonya were sitting at the dining table. At the same table where I'd eaten my first real meal in this cabin.
"Kim." Tonya stood, her face sympathetic. "Neil said you decided to head back to Boston."
"Just to handle the documents and the job situation. It's the responsible thing to do."
"Is it?" Kevin's voice was gentle but direct. "Or is it the safe thing?"
I wanted to argue, but the question hit too close to truth.
"The documents need proper archival care," I said. "The university library has the facilities. And Pemberton will fire me if I don't show up. I have student loans, an apartment lease, responsibilities."
"You also have a discovery that could rewrite Underground Railroad history." Tonya moved closer. "You have documentation that proves your research was right all along. And you have people here who want to help you fight for it."
"I know. I’m coming back."
Kevin looked at me doubtfully.
“I want to make sure the original find is protected. It’s too important to risk. The library can do that. I need closure on my own life before I can start my new one.”
“I understand that,” Tonya said and looked at Kevin meaningfully.
He reluctantly nodded. “You have to understand, abandonment isn’t easy on any of us after what we experienced when we were boys.”
“I’m not abandoning anyone,” Kim said. “Why won’t Neil believe me?”
“Experience,” Kevin said.
“I need to do this on my own terms. I can’t have you fight my battles for me.”
