Zach and I had mastered sign language in two short weeks. At first he was bitter in doing so, but when I offered to take it along side him his eyes sparked interest.

Emerging from surgery the while room went to a low hush. It only held Josh, Mitchell, and Bee but when they wheeled the poor boy out we all gazed at him.

He was in a hospital gown, and a padding wrapped around his neck. Other than the fact that he couldn't speak anymore he was as happy as before.

He stood up and Mitchell immediately spoke, " How do you feel bud? "

He looked at me and used his fingers to tell Straub.

" He said he feels fucking awesome. " I giggle.

My phone stopped this occasion, feeling like a burden I graciously stepped out and into the hall to answer, fleeing from the awkward reunion in the room over.

" Stacy Hinojosa speaking. "

" Ms. Hinojosa! Hello! " Mr. Murphy greeted me.

" I've got a proposition for you. "

-+-+-+-

Everything was packed up in a matter of two weeks with Zachary's persistentness. He pushed at me to get going faster so that he could be one step closer to his dream.

Visiting California.

Of course, when Mr. Murphy offered me to fly home early to pitch my idea to the big company they just merged with I had no problem accepting. On one condition. Zachary had to come with.

He was ecstatic that on September 1st we'd be off to California, something he would've never dreamed of.

The empty cabin before me made my heart wrench. Canada was the best thing that could've happened. So many memories getting left behind to go back to a smoggy city.

When the last moving truck came to take her furniture on August 31st she actually she'd some tears. Of course Leo was happy. Ecstatic as he ran about the empty place. Nails clicking on the hard wood.

Leo would love LA, the sun, the parks. The space!

Zachary had hauled his huge suitcase into the emptiness. Grinning as he pecked my lips and inhaled the air.

" Have you been practicing your speech? Remember the doctor said not to overwhelm yourself. " I leaned against the window.

' I've been making syllables." He signed.

" Really!? " I was beaming, " I wanna hear! "

His eyes closed as he twisted his face, trying to push words out, " Ehh bbb llll "

" That's way more than last time Zach! " I shriek, causing Leo to come barreling in.

As the night drew on we where coiled up by the fire, yet another summer had came and went. I earned new friends, lessons, and even someone I loved.

Maybe I'd come back one day.

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One more chapter. Four months is almost up.