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An hour after Ellie had left, Dina was still looking out the window and staring at the spot where her figure had vanished on the horizon.
Two days after Ellie had left, the farmhouse had seemed so empty without the redhead there, with her jokes and guitar. It was a lot for Dina to live on her own. She had to do all the chores, and care for JJ.
A week after Ellie had left, Dina started getting used to things on her own. She learned how to manage the farm and JJ.
Three weeks after Ellie had left, Dina realized how sad she was.
A month after Ellie had left, Dina started growing trees. Apple trees. She'd pick the apples and take them back to the house to share with JJ.
Six months after Ellie left, JJ says his first word. "Mom." It brings her a little bit of happiness.
A year after Ellie left, there's a knock at the door.
The woman standing there is Ellie, Dina's Ellie. Skinny, pale, and bloodied, but still Dina's Ellie.
She's home.
"Dina," Ellie rasps with a shy smile.
Dina pulled her into a hug, burying her face in her shoulder and breathing in her scent of trees and lemons.
Her arms wrapped around the shorter woman too, gripping the back of her shirt desperately.
They pulled apart and Dina led her to the kitchen.
She was much thinner than she was before she left, so Dina immediately started making something quick for her to eat.
She sat at the table with some difficulty - one of her legs seems to be causing her some trouble - and sighs. "Sorry, I had to travel farther than expected."
"It's okay, you're back now. We missed you," Dina smiled at her.
Ellie perked up. "Where's the little potato!?"
Dina giggled. "He's not so little anymore?"
She frowned a bit. "Still a potato, though, yeah?"
"Oh, definitely. A very cute big potato."
When Dina fetched JJ from his crib upstairs, he didn't even look at Ellie. Not even when Dina sat him across the table from her.
Maybe he remembered her? Maybe he was angry she left?
Weird.
Over the next few days, Dina learned that Ellie was happier now. She felt lighter.
Dina was just thrilled that she was back.
During the winter, they decided it would be easier to move back to the farm. There was just too much to do in the freezing cold to manage the farm.
Why did Maria look so very puzzled when Dina asked for a three-person house?
Ellie and Dina were able to continue life as normal. Dina was happier than ever. She had her Ellie back.
She never noticed the weird looks people gave her when she walked with Ellie around town and just talked with her. About JJ, about her travel.
JJ still hadn't said a word to Ellie. He often looked right through her as if she weren't there.
A year and three months after Ellie left, Maria came to visit.
She asked Dina if they could talk. So, she called Ellie in from where she was building a shed in the backyard. She didn't notice Maria's concerned look.
Dina sat with Ellie on her left and JJ on her right. Maria sat on the armchair across from the couch.
A year and three months after Ellie left, Dina learned Ellie never came back.