"All right, kids. I need you to be on your best behavior for the next couple of hours, all right? This is important. To all of us. Can I count on you?"

  Tobias nodded and, after a little while, Julie nodded reluctantly as well.

  Holding William on my hip, pushing Sune in his chair, ignoring all my body's signs of pain and stress, I marched ahead toward the entrance to what—hopefully—would change our lives for the better.

  18

  Of course, it took forever before it was our turn. We waited an hour past our appointment time. And then there was the paperwork. We had to fill out so many forms, my hand hurt in the end.

  Finally, we were told to come into the examination room, where we met a young man who apparently wasn't Dr. Herman, but someone else who talked to Sune really quickly, then examined his legs and his back, putting him up on a stretcher. He didn't talk to me at all or tell us anything, just grumbled some sounds when asking Sune to do several things, which he, of course, couldn't do. Then the young man left and we were asked to go back into the waiting room.

  I could tell Sune felt disappointed. He didn't speak a word to any of us while we waited, and his eyes avoided mine. I knew how devastated he must have felt since he couldn't do any of the exercises the man had asked him to.

  Half an hour later, we were told to come back in again, into an office with a big redwood desk.

  "Dr. Herman will be right with you," the nurse said.

  I hoped she was right. We had left the three kids in the waiting room. Julie and Tobias were in charge of William and I could only pray that it would go well. There were some children's books in there that he could flip through, but other than that, it wasn't a very child-friendly place.

  They're fine. The big kids will take care of him.

  The door opened and the man from the billboard entered, but he wasn't smiling like he was out there. He looked seriously at Sune when he greeted us and shook our hands. Then, he sighed.

  It wasn't a good sound.

  He looked down into Sune's file, then back up at him. "I don't know what to tell you," he said.

  You don't know? You're the one who is supposed to know! You're the one who's the doctor here; you're the one we traveled almost five thousand miles to see. And now you tell us you don't know?

  I wanted to yell it out, but of course, I didn't. Instead, I simply said:

  "What do you mean, Doctor?"

  "What I mean is, I’m looking at the file here with all the information you sent us, the x-rays and doctor's evaluation, and I see no reason for you to not be walking by now."

  I almost choked. "Excuse me?"

  "Listen. I know it might be a lot to take in, but you can walk, Sune."

  Sune huffed. "I…I really can't."

  Doctor Herman leaned over his desk, then closed Sune's file. "It's all in your head, young man. It happens sometimes; people mentally block themselves like this. But you can walk, I’m telling you. I have seen a ton of cases like yours. You can walk. But you've got to get out of that head of yours."

  "Excuse me?" I said, feeling rage envelop me. Who was this guy? Who did he think he was? "My boyfriend was shot in the spine two years ago. Every doctor we have ever spoken to has told us Sune will never walk again. We’ve tried everything, every training program and treatment we could find. They all said the same thing. He will never walk again."

  Dr. Herman turned and looked at me, then shrugged, tapping the corner of Sune's file on the desk.

  "Well, they were wrong."

  "What?" I said. "How can you…who are you to…"

  Sune reached out his hand to stop me. "Rebekka. It's okay." He looked at the doctor. "Can you help me, Doctor?"

  He shook his head. "I’m afraid not."

  I could feel Sune's disappointment in the room.

  "It's not that I don't want to," the doctor said. "But you need to make the first move. You have to start moving your toes first. Even a wiggle would do. You are the one with the mental block. You need to get past that first. Then I can help you." He smiled politely at both of us, then looked at his watch. "I have another patient. Come back and see me when you’ve made progress, okay?"

  19

  If people could actually explode, I would have done it by now. I was furious as we drove back home. Sune sitting next to me didn't utter a word, whereas I couldn't stop talking.

  "Who does he think he is? Telling you that you can already walk, it's all in your head. Is that really what we traveled five thousand miles for? Not to mention the cost of seeing this guy. What a quack. I can't believe it."

  "What happened?" Tobias asked.

  Julie had given up and was sitting with her headphones on, listening to music from her phone. William had fallen asleep. He had managed to rip several magazines to pieces and drizzled the pieces all over the waiting room area without Tobias and Julie even noticing it until it was too late. The lady behind the counter had shot me a look when we finally came back out, but I had given her one back that had made hers fade in comparison.

  I looked in the rearview mirror at Tobias.

  "Didn't he want to treat my dad?" he continued.

  I didn't know how to answer that. I mean, how much did the boy need to know? He was, after all, just that, only a boy. A young boy with hopes and dreams of one day getting his father back.

  "He said not now. Maybe later," I answered, then looked briefly at Sune, who hadn't uttered a word since the visit at the doctor's office. He was looking out the window at the scenery as we drove across the bridge and back to the barrier island.

  "So, what do we do now?" Tobias asked, his voice cracking. I could hardly bear it. Sune still didn't react, so I guessed it was up to me to calm the poor boy down.

  "Now, I say we get some lunch," I said and looked at the clock in the car. It was almost three o'clock. No wonder I was starving. The kids had to be too. I spotted the golden M in the distance.

  "How about some Mac D?"

  "Ew." Julie took out her headphones. "McDonald's is like the grossest thing in the world. You know they fill those burgers with so many preservatives that they never get old, right? I saw this Vine about a guy who had saved his burger for two years and it didn't grow any mold at all."

  I sighed. I wasn't a big fan of fast food myself, but in this particular situation, we just needed an easy solution.

  "Okay then," I said. "What do you suggest?"

  "There was a nice little café on the corner downtown when we're almost at the house. It was called something with juice or something."

  "I hardly think Sune is in the mood to sit and eat at a café," I said. "Can't you find something else?"

  "Why does everything have to be about him all the time?" Julie asked.

  "JULIE!"

  She paused with a sigh. She knew she had overstepped a line. "I'm just sayin'," she added.

  "Julie. I don't want to hear another word from you right now, or there will be no more computer for the rest of this trip, do you read me?"

  Finally, Sune reacted. He held his hand up in the air. "I think it sounds like a great idea. I could do with a good sandwich right about now."

  I looked at him, startled. I thought he’d be too devastated to do anything…maybe even for the rest of the trip. This was a good sign, and I immediately turned into the café's parking lot.

  Juice 'N Java, the sign said, and just like the day we had arrived, it seemed to be packed with people.

  20

  We ordered and sat down outside, even though it was very hot. I had a sandwich with goat cheese and portabella mushroom, and it was quite good, to my surprise. I hadn't expected much food-wise when traveling to the States, but I guess we got lucky.

  The kids had sandwiches and smoothies and Sune and I each had pumpkin lattes.

  The place was crowded with people, even though it was situated directly out to A1A, the main road going through town along the beach.

  In the middle of eating my sandwich, William knocked over his cup and spilled soda all over the table.

  "William!" Julie shrieked and moved away, but not fast enough for her shirt to not get wet. She wailed in anger. "Now I’m soaked!"

  "I'll get some napkins," I said and got up, thinking that would be the end of the peace. It was nice while it lasted. I almost made it through my entire sandwich.

  Inside, I ran into the detective that I had met the day before. He smiled handsomely and I blushed.

  Why am I blushing?

  "Hello there," he said. He had a sandwich in his hands, wrapped to go.

  "Late lunch?" I said.

  He nodded. "Been a long day. How about you?"

  I sighed. "You don't want to know. How's the case?"

  "What case is that?"

  "About the boy? From the chimney?" I felt terrible talking about it like it was an everyday thing. "Any news?"

  He shrugged. "There really isn't much to it, other than what you saw."

  I nodded, a little embarrassed. I was only trying to make conversation. "Of course not. It was an accident. The boy was excited to see Santa and probably crawled up there because he thought he might be there."

  "That's what I figure. Don't see any reason to think otherwise."

  "Terrible story, though."

  He sipped his coffee. "Sure is," he said. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do." He nodded toward the door. I spotted the police station's sign on the building across the street.

  "You work right over there, huh? That's convenient. Bet you come here every day, then."

  He smiled. Our eyes met. Boy, he was handsome. "Pretty much," he said and walked away. "Pretty much."

  As he opened the door, I was pulled back to reality, when I heard Julie yell—no, make that scream—at William. I hurried to grab a stack of napkins then rushed back outside and handed them to her.

  "My shirt is ruined, Mom. Completely ruined. I am never wearing this again. Never."

  "Okay," I said, still watching the detective as he crossed the street. When he disappeared into the old building that also housed city hall, I turned and looked at them with a soft sigh.

  "How about we go home now, huh? We can still get a couple of hours in at the pool."

  Tobias and William both squealed with excitement.

  Part II

  21

  Eight-year-old Kristin Walker loved singing more than anything else in this world. Even more than cookies and ice cream, even though they did come in at second place. There was only one other thing Kristin loved about Christmas almost as much as singing carols, and that was eating all the delicious Christmas candy and cookies.

  Her mother, Patricia, had long tried to get her to lose weight, but Kristin just loved food so darn much; she couldn't stop once she started. And so it was this evening on December 3rd that she found herself in the kitchen, grabbing one of the freshly baked cookies her mother had just pulled out of the oven.

  First, she grabbed one with her right hand, then another with her left.

  One for each hand, like her grandfather had always said. He didn't say it anymore, though, because now he had gone up to be with God, her mother said. But Kristin had missed him so terribly when he went and had asked her mother why God wanted grandpop so badly when he had so many others he could hang out with, whereas Kristin only had one grandpop.

  Her mother said she didn't have an answer for that.

  "Kristin!"

  Her mother had entered the kitchen and looked at the cookie sheet. "Did you eat any of the cookies?"

  Still chewing, Kristin shook her head, hiding the other cookie behind her back. Her mother didn't believe her and wiped a crumb away from her lip with a loud tsk while shaking her head.

  "How am I supposed to get you to fit into that dress for aunt Tina's wedding this spring, huh? She really wants you to be a flower girl, but only if you can fit into the dress," she said.

  Kristin licked her lips and got ahold of another crumb. Then, she shrugged. Her mother held out her hand.

  "Hand it over, Kristin."

  Kristin sighed, then handed her the cookie that was mostly crumbs by now. Her mother took it all and threw the delicious cookie out, then wiped her daughter's face with a napkin and corrected the bow on her dress.

  "Now, there, you look pretty. Now, remember, don't eat the cookies, all right? They’re for tonight, to hand out to people while we sing for them."

  Going around town caroling was a tradition that was repeated every year. One her mother had started. Kristin used to love it so much since everyone always told her how stunning her voice was, but last year hadn't been so much fun. Since she had gained so much weight, people stared at her, their faces making grimaces, some unable to even recognize her. They no longer focused on the singing, but on her size, and that bothered her. She wasn't looking forward to them doing it again this year.

  "All right, now remember, we start out with Silent Night and we finish up with your solo of Ave Maria. Oh, it's a really good program this year. I can't wait to get out there and spread some holiday joy into people's homes. They sure need it these days, with all the stress and rushing going on. People are so busy; they need us to remind them to slow down and enjoy Christmas. It's a gift, Kristin, to be able to do that. One you should not look upon lightly, you hear me?"

  Kristin nodded, her eyes only on the remaining cookies. She thought about two days ago when she had gone to the mall to sit on Santa's lap and he had grunted, strained by her weight.

  Kristin loved Santa; even though some of her friends told her he wasn't real, she still believed he was. She knew perfectly well that the guy at the mall wasn't him, of course she did, but the real Santa was there, bringing presents to children. She knew he was. And she so hoped she would get to see him this year.

  22

  Sune hid in the bedroom for the rest of the afternoon. Meanwhile, I hung out with the kids in the pool, wondering what he was doing in there all alone while the kids and I, for once, were having a great time. Even Julie finally got over herself and got in and now she was splashing around with her siblings like they had never been fonder of one another.

  I realized I was never going to understand those kids and figure them out. And maybe I didn't have to. Maybe it was enough to simply enjoy the good moments we did have and not worry about when the next fight or outburst would end up ruining everything.

  Still, I couldn't stop thinking about Sune, and finally, after swimming with the kids for about an hour, I grabbed my towel and walked into the bedroom. Sune was sitting by the window, staring out at the ocean.

  "Hey," I said. "What are you doing?"

  "I told you to leave me alone," he said.

  I dried my hair, wondering what to do, then approached him. "Sune. You can't shut me out like that. I know today was devastating but…are we never going to talk about what the doctor said?"

  He lifted his head and looked into my eyes. "Didn't you think I could see you?"

  I froze. "What do you mean?"

  "With that guy. The policeman. Don't you think I saw you?"

  "I…I…I don't know. It was just the detective from the accident yesterday morning. I was just asking if there was any news."

  "You blushed. Your eyes avoided his in that cute way that I always found endearing. I saw it, Rebekka. I saw all of it."

  "I…I…"

  "It's all right," he said. "I know I’ve been acting awful lately. I know it can't be much fun to be with someone like me. I understand that you have needs too. Needs that I can't fulfill."

  Oh, dear Lord.

  "Sune. I love you. I don't care that you're in a wheelchair. I still love you the same."

  "Really?

  "Really."

  "Because it sure doesn’t feel that way. Not when you were flirting with Blondie there."

  "I wasn't flirting. I was asking about the case."

  "What case? I thought it was an accident?"

  "It is. It was. I mean…yes, but I just wanted to…I was trying to be polite. I wasn't flirting. Besides, I’m sure he has a wife and kids and everything."

  Sune scoffed. "Of course. You’ve already thought of that."

  "No. I was just assuming…you know what? I am sick of having to justify myself. Yes, I found the guy attractive. I am sorry. I still love you, though. I’m still here with you, even though you treat me like dirt half of the time."

  Sune paused. He looked at me, then shook his head. "I don't even know how we got here," he said. "How it got to this."

  "Me either," I said. "I guess it just happened. I guess we let it happen."

  Just as I said the words, the phone in my pocket rang. Startled, I picked it up. Sune scoffed. "It's probably him already, calling to take you out."

  "Don't be ridiculous," I said and answered.

  "Hello?"

  "Is this Rebekka Franck?"

  "This is she."

  "This is Jack Ryder."

  "Jack who?"

  "Jack Ryder. Detective Jack Ryder. We ran into each other earlier today? The chimney case?"

  This time I was really blushing. Not because he called, but because Sune had been right. I looked at him and he realized it too.

  "Ha. I told you."

  "What can I do for you, Detective?"

  "I just wanted to call you and let you know that there will be a funeral this coming Saturday. Maybe you'd like to attend? The mother, Jackie, asked me to let you know. She was very grateful for you being there."

  "Sure. Sure. I'll be there. Thank you, Detective."

  "No problem. See you Saturday, then."

  I hung up. Sune gave me a look. He scoffed again, then shook his head. "I guess I can't blame you," he said. He grabbed his wheels and rolled his chair past me. "I’m not going to stand in your way anymore. You deserve to be happy. I'll move out once we get back home," he said and left the room.