For the next few days Ash's days slipped by in a quiet monotony. Each morning he rose with the sun, helped Grandpa with the strawberries, and each night he would retreat to bed, burying the memories of his past deep within him. There was no sign of Elijah—no unexpected encounters, no confrontations. Life remained simple, calm, almost too quiet.
Maybe it wasn't him, Ash thought. Maybe Elijah hadn't come here at all. The fleeting hopes of seeing him again had stirred something in Ash that he wasn't ready to confront. But now, as the days passed and nothing happened, he felt torn. Was he disappointed that Elijah hadn't come? Or relieved? He couldn't tell.
He's not sure whether he should feel happy or sad, relieved or disappointed.
