"I took a chance by coming here… I thought you would be returning soon. I wasn't sure when." He laughs a little, trying to lighten the situation. "I decided to wait a few minutes. I'm glad I did."      She watches him, her eyes sad. She thinks about all the times they had been in this position before. How long would she have to keep telling him that they were through? How many more times would they play this game?      She hears Greg come up behind her and set the suitcases down on the stone walkway. "Good evening, Wayne," he says simply. But his voice says something else: You don't belong here anymore.      Wayne seems to understand. "Then you must have gotten my letter," he says, his eyes resting first on Greg and then on Melinda.      "Yes, yes I did."      She doesn't need to say anything else. Wayne nods, looking defeated. He shoves his hands further into his pockets and raises his shoulders as if he is fighting off the cold night air and losing.      "I'd be happy to recommend you for a transfer," he says finally. "I mean, I can recommend you both. That is if you still want to go through with it," he says, looking at Greg.      Greg nods. "That's something I'd still like to do."      Melinda steps back until she is beside Greg, and slips her hand into his. "I appreciate your offer. I'll take you up on that."      Wayne smiles, but she can see that there is pain in his eyes. She looks away, not wanting him to know that she notices. It would only make it harder…      "I'll see to that first thing tomorrow, then."      There is another awkward silence. "Well, then… I'll leave you two to unpack." He climbs down the steps. "Goodnight."      "Goodnight, Wayne," she says. Greg is silent beside her.      Wayne forces another smile and walks past them. He stops at the end of the walkway and turns to look at her one more time. "I forgot to say welcome back, Melinda. So, welcome back."      He doesn't wait for a response. He turns and walks into the night.      Melinda watches him go, imagining a black velvet curtain falling between them, separating them forever. This time it really did feel final.      She feels Greg place his hand on her back. "You ok?" he asks, his voice low. "If you need some time…"      "I'm fine, Greg. Really."      She reaches up and puts her arms around him, pulling him close.      "You're the one I want," she whispers in his ear. "Don't ever doubt that."      He responds by holding her tighter. "I believe you," he whispers back, his breath warm against her ear.      As they climb the front steps, Melinda remembers what she was thinking about before Wayne interrupted her. She pauses, her hand resting on the doorknob.      "Greg, there's something else I need to do before I can go in."      She raises her eyes to meet his and sees that he understands.      "I'll wait for you here," he says.      She touches him on the shoulder before moving past him, her eyes grim. Perhaps this would be the hardest task of all.