I mentally prepared myself for a fight. After the day I had, I was hungry for it. I wanted to scream and yell and let out all of my pent up frustrations, so I was more than a little disappointed when Charlie didn’t take the bait.

“Sorry, kiddo.” He really did look sorry. Of course, calling me “kiddo” didn’t exactly endear me to his cause. “This isn’t the sort of problem that can be figured out with those complex equations or thick books you like so much.”

“Don’t be so sure. The answers to all of life’s problems are out there. It’s just a question of finding the right book.” My desire to have a throw down was slowly subsiding, but that didn’t mean I was ready to give up. “Lucky for you, I’ve read lots of books. So, if you’ll just explain the ‘sitch...”

“The ‘sitch? Did you watch that Kim Possible movie again? You know it only makes you sad that you don’t have a hairless mole-rat of your very own.”

“One, I’ve been watching Buffy, not Kim Possible. And two, it is so not fair that Dad won’t let me get a Rufus when he lets Angel keep that stupid turtle.”

Charlie came across the room to gather me once again into his arms. He was being uncharacteristically touchy-feely. It was kinda nice.

“God, I’m going to miss you,” he said, giving me a peck on the forehead. For the record, my forehead was very happy. The rest of me, however, was realizing this was goodbye.

Yes, he would be home on the holidays and maybe the summers. We would still text, email, and talk on the phone, but I knew things would never be the same. After seventeen years of growing up together, this was the first giant step towards growing apart.

“I’m going to miss you, too.” I was also going to completely dehydrate if I didn’t stop crying.

Fifteen minutes later, I heard Jase and Charlie pulling out of the driveway as they headed off to a farewell game of pool at Randy’s. I sank onto the bed, left alone with my thoughts and Guido.