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Michael considered this for a long time. Finally, he sighed and said, “It feels like home.”

Wayne’s heart surged with love.

They sailed toward the Mackinac Bridge without speaking. The large bridge was five miles across, a sturdy monster high over the top of them, and a true feat to sail beneath. Michael clucked his tongue as they went under and then gave Wayne a big smile.

“I know you’re burning with questions,” he said.

“Me? No way,” Wayne said playfully.

“Mom won’t stop. Every few minutes, she comes over to me with a sandwich or a bag of chips or something and says, ‘You know, you can tell me anything.’ As if it would be that easy...”

“She just missed you so much is all,” Wayne said.We all did.

“I get that.” Michael palmed the back of his neck. “I just can’t explain it all in a few words, you know? As I lived that life, I didn’t question it. But I know rehashing it out to Mom will create a whole lot of chaos.”

Wayne laughed. “That’s your mother, I guess. She was always on fire about something, especially when it came to you.”

“I always thought her and dad hated me,” Michael said. “I’m old enough now to understand that that wasn’t what it was. I just...” He bit hard on his lower lip, seemingly unsure of how to approach what he said next.

Wayne let the silence creep on. He wasn’t sure he wanted so desperately to dip into Tara territory. The whole situation felt like the sun. He didn’t want to stare at it too long.

They continued west, away from the bridge, away from the island. At one point, Michael grabbed his backpack and opened it to bring out a box of Joann’s Fudge.

“What you got there?” Wayne said.

Michael wagged his eyebrows. “I knew you couldn’t quit that sweet tooth of yours.”

“And you’ve been on the island less than twenty-four hours and have already suited yourself up with some fudge.”

Michael shrugged as he lifted a little square of peanut butter goodness, dropped it on his tongue, and chewed slowly. “They don’t make fudge like that anywhere else.”

“Anywhere else like...” Wayne said sneakily.

Michael shook his head and passed the box of fudge. Wayne collected a chocolate raspberry one, nibbled at the edge, and nearly lost his mind as his taste buds exploded.

“I haven’t had fudge in a while,” he confessed.

“I can tell. You’ve been hard at work in the gym,” Michael said, lifting his own arm and pretending to flex. “Mom says you’ve really lived the past few years.”

Wayne’s smile fell. He sat at the edge of the boat and stared at the half-eaten fudge between his fingers. “Your mom isn’t so happy with me about that.”

Michael coughed. “I don’t know what else she expected you to do. You’re still young. You were given one of the worst situations in the world. And... well...” He shrugged.

“I never wanted to be the island bachelor or anything,” Wayne said. “And I feel like the gossip got out of hand. There’s no way it was ever as bad as people say.”

“Mackinac fuels itself on gossip. You know that,” Michael said. “I generated enough gossip for a few months just today by walking down Main Street and letting a few folks see me. You should have heard them. “Was that really Michael Clemmens? Where has he been? I figured he was dead.”

“Nobody knows how to stay in their own business. It’s true,” Wayne said. He clapped his hand across his thigh and said, “Which is why I know better than to pester you about all that you’ve gone through. I’m just...” He paused for a second, and then forced himself to say it. “I’m just really glad to see you, Mike. It’s been way too long.”

Michael’s eyes grew stormy. He took another bite of fudge and held it in the air so that the grey light reflected off the glittering sugar.

“When Tara died, I was already having a little bit of trouble with myself, with my life,” Michael said. “I wasn’t sure which direction I was headed. Tara’s death was the biggest reminder of the randomness of all of this, at least for me. And I couldn’t go back to your house, the way I always had. I could hardly look you in the eye. The island felt too small. The world felt too cruel. I just had to escape.”

Wayne finished his fudge, clasped his hands together, and studied the water.

“I know that isn’t enough for you,” Michael said. “And I don’t blame you if you don’t trust me or even if you hate me for leaving.”

Wayne’s eyes snapped back toward Michael’s. “That’s ridiculous. I could never hate you. Never in a million years. Tara and I talked about you; we loved you and supported you in all things. I know she wanted the world for you. And maybe... maybe, you went out and found the world.”

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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