Chapter Twenty Eight: Letting Go
The morning Liam left for college arrived faster than anyone expected. The Callahan driveway was lined with suitcases, duffel bags, and a trunk that refused to close properly. Mr. Callahan had returned from the trip two weeks earlier and insisted on helping, adjusting straps and offering unnecessary advice. Mrs. Callahan hugged Liam twice, even though he wasn’t her son. Nora stood a little apart. Watching. Trying not to feel the shift in everything. Liam was going to a university in another state. Far enough that weekend visits wouldn’t be easy. Far enough that “we’ll figure it out” felt uncertain. He walked toward her once the car was packed. “You’re quiet,” he said softly. “I don’t like goodbyes.” He smiled faintly. “It’s not goodbye.” But even as he said it, they both knew so
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