I hear the beating of knuckles against my front door. My breath rises as I run to get it. I open the door to see two ocean blue eyes staring at me, and I feel warmth and comfort even in the December morning air. I look to see scars all over his face. All the memories we made together.

He was teaching me how to play basketball. I reeled back, hoping I would make the shot and he would compliment me. It bounced off the rim and hit him just above the eye. He wasn’t mad though, we sat and giggled over mint chocolate chip ice cream until the sun set and my mom made me go home.

Tears spring to my eyes. My throat feels like there’s a lump in it. I look over, expecting to see the for sale sign and the moving truck, but I snap back to reality. I grin and pull him into a tight hug. “I’ve missed you,”