"This is the time to remember because it will not last forever."
- Billy Joel

"Man this sucks," said Gus, sitting on one of the sofa's armrests in the common area. He was holding Moon, of course.

The day had finally come for Lucas and Nora to go back home. Gus had been moody about it for days.

"I don't wanna be stuck here with some lame-ass new roommate. I already don't like him and I don't even know who he is. Can't you pretend to relapse or somethin'?"

Nora laughed. She and Lucas were sitting on one of the other sofas, their feet resting on their stuffed luggage as they waited for Jeff to finish up a session so he could drive them to the airport.

"Unlike you, we're not getting a free ride at this place and I'm pretty damn sure our parents won't pay anymore," Nora said.

"Well it ain't fair! I'm stuck here for two more months. Alone," Gus said.

"I'll be in your heart," Lucas joked. "Look up at the night sky. We'll be seeing the same moon. Then you'll know-"

"Shut the fuck up! I'm not you're goddamn lover!"

"Well then stop whining! We'll see you soon in Chicago anyway."

"At least Jeff's stayin' 'till my time's up," Gus mumbled. "Unlike you traitors. Watch. I'ma be gettin' some bitch-ass Harry Potter-lookin' motherfucker as my roommate."

Lucas flipped him off while Nora pouted.

"Gus, you're making me feel bad. Give me a hug?" she asked.

Gus let out an exaggerated sigh. "Fine. But you have to come to me."

Just then Jeff came through the common area doors.

"Time to go," he said.

Gus stood and gave Nora a one armed hug. His other hand was still holding Moon. Nora kissed the kitten's head.

"I'll miss you both," she said.

"Same," Gus said.

Lucas was next. Both boys stood there awkwardly. Lucas had his hands shoved into his pockets while Gus pretended to be preoccupied with Moon.

"So... um... bye I guess," Gus mumbled at last.

"Yeah," Lucas said softly.

Finally he grabbed Gus's free hand and pulled him in for a one-armed guy hug with Moon squished between them.

"Don't relapse," Gus said.

"Don't run off," Lucas said, and they both grinned at each other.

**********

Jeff stopped them before the TSA line at the airport to say his goodbyes.

"Guys, I just wanna say I'm really proud of both of you. This isn't easy and we all know that."

Lucas and Nora nodded silently.

"Did Gina give you her number?" Jeff asked Nora.

"Yeah."

"Good. Lucas, I already gave you mine. You call anytime. Day, night, I don't care. The real world's gonna be the same place you left, with all the old triggers, connections and temptations. If it gets to be too much, both of you call us. Got it?"

"Yeah, Jeff," Lucas said.

Jeff handed them both folded brochures. "These are pamphlets about NA. Narcotics Anonymous. They have meetings everywhere, just look 'em up online. I want you guys to go at least three times a week at first."

"We will," they both said at the same time.

"Good," Jeff said.

Then he gave them both individual hugs. "Alright, I'll see you soon once you move to Chicago. Lucas, you still want that tattoo?"

"Hell yeah," Lucas said.

"I'll tell you what. You stay clean between now and then, and it's on the house."

"Seriously? Thanks!" he said happily.

"Now go catch your flight. Be good."

**********

Nora gave Lucas the window seat on the plane ride home. Halfway through the hours-long flight he fell asleep against it, and Nora rested her head on his shoulder. She finally had time to herself to think, but when she tried processing the past few months, it was impossible.

This Nora was a new person. Stronger. Harder. Maybe a little reckless. The truth was, she'd never actually imagined herself and Lucas really going off on their own. She'd sort of played along with it because she knew he was hurting and needed something to hope for. Now, it was not only possible but final. A little over four months from now and they would be together in Chicago, living like a real couple, planning a wedding and a life of their own. One thing was set in stone for all eternity: they would never use heroin again.

Lucas jerked awake as soon as the wheels dropped in preparation for landing.

"Hi, baby," Nora said softly, smoothing his hair back so she could see his face. He desperately needed a haircut. His dark locks fell just below his ears now. "We're almost there. The pilot said it's snowing."

Lucas nodded sleepily and stared out the window at the misty white sky. They couldn't even see the horizon. It was like being in an empty dream.

"I'll text 'em. They're probably here so we'll have to hurry," Lucas mumbled, taking out his phone.

There was no need to hurry though. The only person to greet them at baggage claim was Sarah, holding baby Sam, who had become pudgier and less red and wrinkly over the past few months. She waved furiously at them, bobbing up and down as if they couldn't see her. They dragged their bags over to where she stood.

"I need individual hugs. Nora, will you hold him?" she asked, lifting Sam off her hip.

Nora took the baby and gently bounced him in her arms as Sarah and Lucas embraced each other. Sarah was crying already.

"I'm proud of you, sweetheart. So proud," she murmured, kissing his cheek. "I missed you so much, but I'm glad you did this. You're much stronger than you think. I know it was hard. I know."

Nora looked around uncomfortably, as if to make sure her parents weren't just hiding somewhere, ready to pop out and surprise her like at Gus's birthday party. But no. They simply hadn't come.

"Now I need you, Nora," Sarah said, wiping tears off her cheeks.

Lucas took the baby and made funny faces at him, and Sam's little giggles rang through the huge, emptying space like a bell.

"You guys look amazing. Nora, I've never seen you so grown up and beautiful!" Sarah exclaimed, wrapping her arms around her.

"Thanks," Nora said softly. "Where are my parents?"

Sarah pulled away, looking uncomfortable. "Oh. Well... um... they wanted to come, sweetie. But... this has been hard on them..."

Nora looked down, her stomach plunging down into her toes as she suddenly saw it all clearly. "Oh."

"Um... they'd like you to stay with us for the next couple of weeks... if you're okay with that. We converted the downstairs laundry room into an extra guest room while you guys were gone. The washer and dryer are in the garage now. It's small, but it's cozy, warm and cute. We got a futon, some rugs, a few nice paintings, a bar for your clothes, and-"

"They kicked me out?" Nora asked in a small voice. She felt like she had stepped off the plane and into someone else's life. Where was hers?

"No, no, don't think that. They just need time."

Nora nodded, forcing back her tears. She refused to cry about this. She refused to acknowledge the gaping chasm that had just ripped open inside of her.

Lucas put his arm around her as they followed Sarah out into the cold, snowy afternoon.

"I'm sorry, Nora," he said quietly.

Nora shrugged. "I should have expected it. I'd rather be with you anyway. Soon we'll be gone, and I'll never have to see them again. We'll leave this place and all the things that have happened to us here far behind."