Rachel Dale hasn't been home in over six years. Born in a small Midwestern town, Rachel never planned her future too far from Huntsberry or from the friends she had made growing up there. However, after a broken heart and a broken promise, Rachel found herself canceling her original college plans and getting on a plane to Europe.

Now a college graduate, Rachel has returned home to find herself a stranger in a familiar land. Her home is the same, the buildings and stores are unchanged, and old friends welcome her back like a prodigal daughter. After a long journey and years of intense study, Rachel is looking forward to resting in her old home and collecting her thoughts.

However, soon after arriving in Huntsberry, Rachel has an unexpected encounter with James, her childhood love and her original reason for leaving in the first place. In spite of the smile she wears, Rachel remembers her broken heart all too well. The old wounds are deep between them, but the two soon find that their old love might still run deeper. Newly adults and filled with uncertainty about where the future will take them, the two must finally work out what they mean to each other.

Short Story Press publishes short stories written by everyday writers.

Carolyn O'Hearn

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