THE DAY GREYHAVEN FINALLY STOOD TALL
Chapter 15
The following morning, Greyhaven returned to normal.
The field was empty.
The flags were taken down.
The equipment was stored.
People returned to work.
The harbor went back to being a harbor.
But something remained.
A small change.
People walked differently.
Children talked about the victory.
Teenagers replayed the rowing race.
The older residents told stories about previous years.
And for the first time, when someone mentioned Blackridge, nobody lowered their voice.
Nobody said they were better.
Nobody assumed Greyhaven would lose.
Ethan sat at June’s diner.
She put coffee in front of him.
“You know you’re responsible for this.”
Ethan looked up.
“For what?”
“Making everyone arrogant.”
He laughed.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
She sat down.
“Yesterday, a twelve-year-old told me Greyhaven is unbeatable.”
Ethan smiled.
“That’s not bad.”
“It’s dangerous.”
“Why?”
“Because next year, Blackridge is going to come prepared.”
Ethan took a sip.
“Then we’ll prepare too.”
June looked at him.
There was a pause.
Then she smiled.
“You’re really one of us now.”
Ethan looked through the window.
Outside, Greyhaven was waking up.
Boats moved across the harbor.
People opened their shops.
Children rode bicycles.
Someone was repairing a fence.
Someone else was carrying lumber.
Ordinary life.
Again.
Ethan smiled.
“Yeah.”
