LOTTIE FLIPPED THE PAGE, then read each side, and flipped again. She was now halfway through Thinner by Stephen King and had been reading for the past hour. A steady wind blew her way, all the while, as she lightly swung from within her hammock. A moment more, though, and she was staring up at the sky, wondering...

Her phone read 9:58 AM. After a sigh, she sat upright and placed a bookmark. 

It was time. 

An hour later, she was in the kitchen, washing her breakfast plate. After finishing, then wringing her wrists, she tied her damp hair into a messy bun. Her hair was now fresh after the shower; raspberry scented. Then, with a smile, she went for the door when-

Lottie paused, set her purse aside, then turned. 

The handprint. It had been on the kitchen window all those years back. Now it was clear; innocent. 

She went stiff and still, hands at sides. Should I?

Her breath hitched. On quiet feet, she neared and placed a hand to the glass. I remember, Eliott. How could I forget?

Then, with a small smile, she retraced her steps, snatching her purse. 

In the doorway, she looked out into her yard. Now everything was quiet. It was as though life had stopped just for her. The fresh breeze, the occasional chirp, and the morning life - it was gone. 

She smiled. 

At the bottom step, though, she staggered and barely caught herself. You were always clumsy, weren't you Lottie?

That was when she heard a voice, low but kind: "Where might you be going this Sunday?"

Lottie flinched, hand to heart, and faced her neighbor. "Going to see my brother. He needs a hand with something."

The tall-standing bushes of five years back, which separated their homes, were now short. With a wave and smile, the man was sitting on his porch steps. He wore dirt-stained overalls and gardening gloves. 

"How's your garden coming?"

"Them carrots and lettuce are doing good, I tell ya. I could spare some if you might like?" 

Lottie chuckled. "Nah, I'm alright." Then she paused. "I'll see you later, Rick."

Rick saluted her, head held high. "See ya when I see ya. Oh, and, uh, how's that brother of yours doin' these days?"

Her smile widened. "He's doing great, Rick." After reaching her vehicle, she returned the salute. "Take care of yourself."

He gave a stiff nod. "I should think so."

Then, behind the wheel, she stared off. I wonder how Penny's doing. 

-

"What's on your mind?" Lottie mixed her black coffee, watching it swirl. "You seem awfully quiet." 

"Just thinking..." 

She looked up, then pushed her cup aside. "Eliott" - she leaned into the table - "I'm gonna need more than that."

Her brother took a sip from his own. His coffee was un-caffeinated with creamer. 

"Eliott?"

He wiped his brow, then matched her, leaning in. "I don't know how I'm supposed to do this. I don't know how I'm just supposed to... leave this place. It's all I know." 

"You're having doubts? Then why'd I come here?" Lottie looked around, noting the boxes piled against the kitchen. "I've been helping you pack for hours. I hope all this time isn't a waste!"

Her brother folded his hands over the table. 

"And it isn't, brother, because you're moving. It's time."

He bowed his head, then nodded tightly. "Yeah, you're-you're right."

"Eliott..." she trailed. "I'll be with you every step of the way, okay?"

He looked at her with a flicker; a hope. "Promise?"

"Promise. I'll never leave you." She gave a gentle smile. "I mean it this time."

He remained quiet. 

"I promise you." Then she reached over, covering his folded hands. "You know I won't."

"I know you won't." 

"That's right." 

"Lottie, I, uh" - a pause - "I think I should apologize..."

"About what?" She crossed her arms, searching. "You have nothing to apologize for."

"Remember all those years back? We had been drinking coffee, just like right now, and discussing funeral matters." He swallowed hard, beginning to fidget. "Soon, though, I got all mysterious and ruined it. I'm sorry."

"Ruined it?"

"Yeah! I brought up how pieces of you were in every room. I made it intense when it should have been chill and light-hearted. Then, of course, we went to the basement and-"

"It's okay." Lottie held up a hand. "Don't apologize. That was a long while ago."

He nodded, stiff, and sighed. "How long ago was that, El? How long have you been back?"

"Five years."

"And how old does that make us?"

"I'm twenty-eight. You're two years younger." Then she leaned back, rubbing her chin. "Time sure flies, huh? That feels like forever ago."

"Yeah." Then he sighed, looking around at all the boxes; all the memories. "Yeah..." 

"You can't be here forever; live in your mother's shadow. You need to be your own person."

"I just need to move on... like you." His eyes stilled on her. "How'd you do it, El? How'd your life fall into place?"

"I had great people around me. People like my neighbor, co-worker, and you." Her smile was genuine; her eyes were bright. "Like I said, I'll be by your side ever step of the way."

He went quiet, looking her way, before stiffening. 

"What is it?"

"I have something for you, El. Something I should have given you long ago."

"Oh, yeah?" Lottie lifted a brow, mulling it over. "What, is it a toy or something? I really don't need anymore keepsakes, brother."

"You'll see," he said with a wink.

"I guess I will."

A moment more and he was gone, trampling down the basement steps. Then, for a long minute, all-to-be heard was shuffling and strained breathing before silence. When he retreated upstairs, he paused from view, then stepped into the kitchen, a book at his side. 

"That sounded rough." Lottie was gawking at him, hands gripping her chair. "What was that all about?"

"Here." He passed the book over, giving another wink. "I think you'll like it."

"Okay." After accepting it, she chuckled, continuing to stare. "All these years later and you're still a mystery."

"Why thank that."

Then she scoffed, looking down. Her breath hitched. Her posture stiffened. 

"You asked for another copy of our album. I forget to give it to you after making it. I'm sorry."

"T-thank you." She staggered upright, then paused, meeting his face. "Thank you, Eliott."

"You're welcome, El."

With a tight smile, she leaned in, wrapping him into a hug. "I forgot about it, too."

He returned the gesture and closed his eyes, burying into her shoulder. 

That was when it happened: a knock, short but firm. 

"Oh, uh..." Her brother pulled back, pinching his nose. "That must be my neighbor. She wanted to hang out today. Soon I'll be moving, so" - a pause - "I'll be right back, okay?"

"Okay."

A brief dialogue later and slow footsteps neared the kitchen. A head poked around the corner, then a hand. "Don't worry, I scheduled it for tomorrow. She's perfectly fine."

"Alright." Lottie nodded, giving a small laugh. "I'm glad you're friends with your neighbor."

"What about you?"

"What about me?" she asked. "Don't you remember Penny?"

"Oh, yes, that's right."

Then she nodded, hiding a smirk, before mumbling. "You know, you never told me about Penny. What was so strange about her? Whenever she was brought up, you always got a little tense."

"We're going there." Eliott stayed put, hand to wall, from the entry of the kitchen. "Where to begin..." He clicked his tongue and shifted. "This was a long time ago, remember. I won't be stalking anybody anymore. I just wanna make that clear."

"Yes, yes, I know. Now onto the question."

"I noticed that you two were awfully close. I just wanted to investigate."

Lottie stepped fully into his view. "And what did you find?" she asked. "What should I know about Penny?"

"Well..." he trailed. 

A chill ran down her spine. "Why must you always be so suspenseful?" she huffed. "Unless it's sinister, you could just say it normally." She paused. "It's not sinister, right?"

"Uh, no, nothing like that." Eliott dropped his gaze, then looked up and sighed. "I'd, uh, I'd often see her cry."

"What?" she blurted. 

 "I think your neighbor was depressed. She seemed lonely." He stared off a moment, scratching his head. "I didn't see it before, but I do now."

"On with it! See what now?" she snapped. 

"I used to be so naïve; so immature." The sparkle left his face; the life. "I used to wake up every morning with somebody who'd never leave my side. My mother - she was my lifeline. My purpose. But you're right. I can't live her life or be her shadow. I must be my own person. To do that, I need to overcome my loneliness." 

"Yes, yes, you do." Lottie mumbled to herself, facing away. "I hope my neighbor's okay. I hope she overcame her loneliness."

"I hope so, too. I should have told you before and I'm sorry."

"But I think she did, in the end." She hinted a smile as she nodded. "Our last conversation was wonderful. She seemed so happy."

"Then she's okay." He placed a hand over her shoulder. "I bet she's just fine."

"Yeah, I bet you're right." A pause. "Eliott?"

"Yeah?"

"Get back to your neighbor. Hang out with her. I've got something to do anyway."

"And what is that?"

Her smile widened. "Some things aren't meant to be said."

-

Fresh blue walls, finely-trimmed bushes leading ahead, a tire swing to the right...

It was just the same as five years back. 

Hands in pockets, Lottie could only stare for a minute. A grey Chevrolet Suburban was parked out front, unassuming, large enough for eight people. Maybe, then, he had started a family of his own. In that case, she shouldn't even be here. Then again, he had called her yesterday to come to his place. 

It was about the note. 

He was finally ready to talk. 

So, with a nod, she prepared a smile and began forward. 

Here I come, Joseph...

Yesss! This story is now complete. I hope that the ending did justice. <3 It was a wonderful experience on my part, anyway, and I'm looking forward to writing new stories. It's certainly been an adventure. 

To conclude, I'd love to ask some general questions. As before, these can be skipped:

1) Who is your favorite character?

2) Who is your least favorite character?

3) What was your favorite moment?

These are some questions I've been wondering. If you've got any other feedback, I'd love to hear it! Anyway, last but not least, I'll end with a few fun facts about the story:

1) Lottie's name was going to be Hazel

2) Eliott's name was going to be Garratt

3) The story was originally titled 'How It's Been Since'

4) Aunt Rena was supposed to have a pet dog

Well, that's about it! I wish you all well and God bless. <3