"I think I finally get it."

"Get what?" There was something about the look in his eyes, the confidence, the surety, that had me swallowing hard.

"You." And as he smiled, it was almost smug. "I get you, Oz. You're a little, Aren't you?"

If only I had known at the time just how much those few little words were going to change my life.

The Little Of Oz Series

The knowledge that I had to be a big boy was almost heartbreaking, but it was enough that by the time we were ready to leave, I was me enough that my secret could remain hidden for another day.

Even still, I kissed Patch and Puddles goodbye before leaving.

Daddy was still driving the dust truck, but that was only until he saved up for his own car. I didn't mind. The truck was nice in a way because the bed in the back had made it easier to shopping earlier, and to pick the furniture up. It also had lots of space and Daddy never got mad with me for putting my feet up on the dash.

I had never been the kind of boy to get nostalgic over the passing of summer, but on the drive to my old home, a pang settled in my chest and stayed with me. Miserable grey skies had swamped the world, marking the coming of the abrupt change of season; our summer of love was over.

I just hoped that it was irrelevant and we were in for a lifetime of love.

Chapter75