Far from Xanadu (31 page)

It was away from Coalton though. To a bigger place, more populated, where I’d find her, the girl of my dreams. The one who wouldn’t think it didn’t mean anything, okay? The one who’d realize that being loved meant everything. It meant everything to me.

Beyond Xanadu, there was a girl out there I could love, one who could love me back. And when I found her, I’d bring her to Coalton.

I’d show her this town, these people. We’d build a life here. Because Coalton was a good place to make a life, raise a family. This town was a family. It’d raised me.

Jamie’d been right about Xanadu. She’d played me. She’d used me. I didn’t hate her for what she’d done; I could never hate her. But I didn’t think I’d be finding her a job at The Merc. I wouldn’t be calling her later.

I watched until the sun slipped under the horizon and put itself to bed. Bed sounded good. I needed sleep. Dreams too. Big dreams. My dreams. I thought of Dad. Where he was. What he was doing. Rest in peace, Pops.

I stood and took one last look around. I’d never get enough of this, the beauty of Coalton. I raised my eyes to the sky. “Good night, Dad,” I said. Just in case he was up there, painting me a dawn.