The Burning of the Houses of Lords and Commons, 16th October, 1834 - Chapter - Epilogue
Epilogue: Saying Goodbye
Neal set down his last suitcase onto the porch and then sat down on the bottom steps to wait for the car to pick him up. He was only there for a minute before a shadow fell over him. He didn't glance up, knowing from the small hole in the pant leg that it was Peter. He didn’t want to face his friend; the whole time he hadn't told Peter that he was moving off to another home.
“I heard that you were moving,” Peter said, breaking the silence. He paused, waiting for Neal to reply. Neal kept quiet, however and Peter continued, “Were you ever going to say anything to me?”
“Are you going to accept Hughes’s offer?” Neal asked, changing the subject. He dug his toes into the dirt at the side of the side walk, still refusing to look up at Peter.
“I think I might; it seems like a good opportunity,” Peter said. He crouched down in front of Neal and Neal was forced to actually look at Peter. “Why didn't you tell me, Neal?”
Neal shrugged. “There wasn't anything that you could do anyway. If they say that I have to move, then I have to move. There’s no point in making a fuss about it.”
“Still, I would have at least thrown you a party or taken you to the movies,” Peter said.
“You broke into a museum with me, that is much better than a party or a movie,” Neal said. He grinned at Peter. “I had fun the entire time.”
Peter frowned, trying not to show just how sad he was about Neal leaving. “Detroit’s not that far away. Feel free to call me as much as you want. You are my friend, Neal, and I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you to, Peter,” Neal said. He heard a car pull into the driveway and he looked over to see Mr. Jeffries’ van. He stood up and dusted the dirt off of his pants for the last time. Mrs. Powell bustled out of the house and things got busy as everyone got Neal’s luggage into the van. Mrs. Powell gave Neal a hug and apologized once more. She said her goodbyes and then stepped back to let Peter say his.
Neal shifted from one foot to another as he looked up to his older friend. The two adults were speaking to one another, so it was just the two of them in hearing distance. Neal looked at Peter and nodded as he made his decision. “I’d like to see you as an FBI agent. Maybe sometime in the future you can try to catch me.”
“Catch you?” Peter asked. “What are you talking about?”
Neal just grinned at him. “Remember, Peter, you’re the only one who will catch me in the future.”
“Neal,” Peter said, still confused. He reached out, but Neal ducked out of reach. He then darted back in again to hug Peter.
“I’ll miss you,” Neal said, as low as he could and still have Peter hear it.
“I’ll miss you, too,” Peter replied. He didn't say a word about Neal’s earlier statements. Instead he said ordinary goodbyes and Neal finally had to get into the van and leave.
Peter waved as the van started down the driveway and he continued to wave as they started to drive away. Neal leaned out the passenger side’s window and waved in response until Peter disappeared from view. Then he slumped down in his seat, watching nothing at all.
“Don't worry, I have the feeling that you’ll see him again,” Mr. Jeffries said. “A friend like that is definitely the kind of person that you’ll see again.”
“Of course I’ll see him again,” Neal said. He turned his head to look out the passenger side window. He completed the rest of the sentence in his head, “After all, he’s the only one who will be able to catch me.”
Chapter 4 // Art Post