When they got home, their mother was standing on the front porch, illuminated by the light spilling out of the living room. She was holding a letter in her hand. As they approached, she handed it to Dean. Hesitantly he opened it and read it. And then they were celebrating, Maddi was so confused and upset. “I’ve been accepted Mads!” Dean had exclaimed. Maddi had just stood there in shock, snowflakes drifting around her and settling in her light brown hair. Her mother and brother disappeared inside. Leaving Maddi alone in the dark.
                    ~~~
Maddi felt like the next couple of days moved by too quickly. She helped Dean pack, and tried to act excited and happy for him, but she felt like crying. Maddi didn’t have a lot of friends, Dean was the only person she could really trust. But he was leaving now, and she was going to be alone.
On Dean’s last day home, the two ran together down to the end of their road. Then they slowly made their way down to the river bank. They stood in silence for a long while, snowflakes drifting quietly to the ground. They made streaks in Dean’s messy, brown hair and gathered on Maddi’s jacket. “I know you’re upset, Maddison,” Dean finally said, “but I have dreamed of this since I was a kid. I want to make my difference in this world. Not just in our backyard.”
“I know.” Maddi replied, her voice cracking. Dean pulled her against his torso as she started crying. They stayed like that for a long time. “What am I going to do when you are gone?” Maddi sobbed. “I want you to make friends. Okay, Mads? Promise me you will try.” She nodded. “Thank you Maddi. I am going to miss you, but we can write to each other as much as possible.”
“Dean, can you promise me something?” Maddie asked him.
“Sure, what is it?”
“I don’t want you to get hurt, you have to come home in one piece, okay? You have to come home safe.” Maddi told him. Dean smiled, “I promise.”
                    ~~~
Maddi didn’t know if she was crying when Dean left. She ran up to him and hugged him tightly for the last time. Then watched as her mother hugged him and kissed his cheek, then their father shook Dean’s hand. Then the three watched the oldest child, walk away from them and toward his new future.