The next morning, the last morning at the inn, as Haley and Max took their traditional sunrise walk, Max didn’t pull her along as he usually did. Instead, he walked by her side. As the wind picked up it felt like the temperature was dropping quickly. She shivered and looked down at Max. “I think it’s time to go in.”
Max sat down and looked up at her. He wasn’t moving.
“I know,” she said. “I’m going to miss our walks, too.” When she bent down to pet him, she also gave him a hug. “Thanks for being my friend.” This time when he licked her face she let him, because he was licking tears that she couldn’t stop from falling.
A few minutes later, when they walked into the kitchen, Haley got one of Max’s treats and gave it to him, and he perked up instantly. She wished it was that easy for her. When she looked over at the chalkboard she saw the Christmas countdown had already been updated. It now said LAST DAY OF CHRISTMAS CAMP! 8 DAYS TO CHRISTMAS, and the word for the day was “love.” Seeing it just made Haley’s heart hurt more and she knew it was time. She couldn’t stay any longer. She needed to go home.
A FEW MINUTES later, when she came out of her room carrying all her bags, Max was waiting for her. Seeing him just made it harder. She put down her bags and got down on one knee so she could give him another hug. “Now, you be a good dog,” she said, determined to lighten the mood, “and some fashion advice. Don’t be wearing any more crazy Christmas Camp sweaters.”
Max barked.
She smiled back at him. “I am going to miss you, Max.”
When she got downstairs she ran into the rest of the group putting on their coats and getting all bundled up.
Ian gave her a surprised look. “You’re leaving?”
“But we’re about to take our Christmas trees to the community center,” Susie added.
When Haley gave Ben a look, he nodded and she knew he understood. She managed a smile. “I got a call from work and I really need to get back,” she said. “Plus, the weather doesn’t look great outside, so I want to get going before it starts snowing . . .”
Ben went over, got Haley’s stocking from the fireplace, and handed it to her. “This is to remember us by.” He also picked up the present she had left unopened last night. “And don’t forget your present.”
Haley gave him a hug. “Thank you. Thank you for everything.”
“We’ll talk after Christmas about our idea,” he said. “For now, just go enjoy the time with your family.”
“I’m going to miss you,” Gail said. “Thank you for helping to make my time here so special.”
Haley went and gave Gail a hug, too. “I’m going to miss you, too. I’ll be keeping you and your son in my thoughts and prayers. I hope you hear from him soon . . .”
“I’m sure I will.” Gail smiled back at her.
Haley looked at the rest of the group. “I’m going to miss you all. It really was great meeting everyone.”
Max barked.
When everyone laughed Haley was grateful, because she felt like she was about to cry. Once again Max had saved her. She looked down at him fondly. “And of course I’ll miss you, too, Max. Even though I’m looking forward to sleeping in.”
When everyone laughed Haley knew it was her chance to escape without breaking down. “I better get going . . . Merry Christmas, everyone!”
“Wait, don’t forget your certificate!” Ben said. “Your boss will be wanting this.” He handed her a scroll that was tied with a red velvet ribbon.
Haley couldn’t believe she’d completely forgotten about it. It was the whole reason she’d come, but now everything felt so different, including the things that had mattered so much before.
“Are you ready for your work pitch?” Ben asked.
“I am,” Haley said. “And we’ll talk soon about our project. Very soon. Good-bye, everyone . . .” She grabbed her bags and hurried toward her car. She didn’t dare look back. She didn’t want the others to see the tears in her eyes. When she heard Max bark, the first tear fell. She quickly threw her bags in the trunk and got into the car, tossing her certificate onto the passenger seat. She was still holding the Christmas present Ben had given her. She put it down but then picked it back up again and decided to open it. Inside she found a wonderful framed picture of her and Jeff sledding. They were laughing and looked so happy. She didn’t even realize she was crying until a tear dropped onto the picture, landing on Jeff’s face, and slid slowly down the glass.
She put the picture down next to her certificate and started the car. She just wanted to get home, back to her real life, back to work, where she belonged.