Exton

Laila stood in the cool evening watching until the plane was out of sight. She wipes the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand.

Ramji steps behind her, “Are you all right?”

She nods and tries to smile but cant quite make her mouth cooperate.

Putting his arms around her and pulling her close Ramji whispers to her. “You are not alone any longer. I am here, you have friends now, Star, Alise... and others I am sure. Your sister is a phone call away...”

“I know. I am so lucky to have found you... and Star. I will miss my sister though. She is the only family I have left. We were so close growing up...” Laila looks down at her new phone and the bills in her other hand that Adrian had given her. “What am I supposed to do with all this?”

Ramji smiles, “Just save it for now. Would you like to go back to the tavern or is there something else you would like to do?”

“Can we just go... home? To Alise and Stoneys I mean. I guess that is my home now too...” A smile plays at the corners of her mouth at the thought of having some place to call home other than a drafty shack.

Laila shivers in the chill air and shakes her head when Ramji asks if she has a coat. “I will have to get one. I never want to see that cloak again. I had Thea throw it away.” She rubs her arms as Ramji opens the car door for her. “Do you think we can light the fireplace when we get there? Alise said Stoney would leave some wood for it.”

Ramji helps her settle in the car. “Yes. But we have a couple of stops first.”

He gets in the drivers side and leans over to kiss Laila. “First, a coat for you. Then a bottle of wine. Then a quiet evening in front of the fire. How does that sound?”

Laila smiles, “Perfect. It sounds perfect.”