Chapter Five
"I can't believe you're finally home!"
Sydney squeezes me so hard I can barely laugh in response, her arms stronger and more muscular than I remember. She's growing up so fast, and I instantly regret not coming home longer for winter break. Two days at Christmas was all I spared for her and my parents, and it wasn't nearly enough.
Staying away because everything about Valley Vale reminded me of Michael, because I was afraid of running into him , had kept me from the people I love most.
"My goodness, Sydney, let your sister breathe!"
When our mom tugs me out of Sydney's arms and pulls me into her own, I allow the tears to come, knowing that I can explain them away as homesickness.
Although there's much more to it than that.
"How did you stuff all of this
