THE DAYS THAT STARTED TO FEEL LIKE HOME
Chapter 6
The next morning, Ethan found a note on his door.
No envelope.
Just folded paper.
He opened it.
Saturday. Six o’clock. Community center. Don’t make excuses.
No signature.
Ethan stared at it.
Then laughed.
He knew exactly who had written it.
At six that evening, he walked into the community center.
The room was full.
Tables had been pushed together.
Food covered nearly every surface.
Someone had brought music.
Children ran between chairs.
Walter stood near the back.
June was carrying plates.
Ethan looked around.
“What is this?”
June looked at him.
“Dinner.”
“Why?”
She shrugged.
“Because it’s Saturday.”
Ethan frowned.
“That’s not a reason.”
“It is here.”
Walter walked over.
“You came.”
“You told me to.”
“I didn’t.”
Ethan looked at him.
Walter smiled.
“Maybe I did.”
Ethan sat.
Someone handed him a plate.
Someone else gave him a drink.
A child ran past him.
A man at the next table began telling a story about a fishing trip that Ethan was almost certain had never happened.
People laughed.
The music got louder.
Ethan leaned back.
For a moment, he simply watched.
He wasn’t participating.
Not yet.
He was observing.
Then June walked over.
“You planning to sit there all night?”
“Maybe.”
She grabbed his arm.
“Come on.”
“Where?”
“You’re dancing.”
Ethan stared at her.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Absolutely not.”
June laughed.
“Too late.”
