Soon I hear the steps down to our door and the key turning in the lock. I smooth my hands over my dress as I watch him come inside. He's got his fancy black Patagonia winter coat on, backpack over his shoulder. He looks tired; he's been doing school all day and he's been texting me, promising me he'll come to see me as soon as he's done since he left.

"Juls!" He calls and then promptly stops in the entryway, eyebrows pulling together.

"Hi," I nearly whisper, giving him a grin, ...