Page 102 of Echoes of a Silent Song

“I’ve been known to do that from time to time.”Callum could easily picture Ralph’s smirk.“And speaking of brilliant ideas, how’s that commission for Illinois going?”

“It’s finished.”Callum glanced toward his iPad.“I’m just looking it over one last time, and then it’s on its way to you.”

“Callum Knight, I am literally doing a happy dance right now,” Ralph said.“You should see me.Maybe I should switch this call to FaceTime.”

Callum chuckled.“Picturing it is terrifying enough.I don’t need the visual.”

“Fair enough.So you’re officially back?”

A smile spread across Callum’s face, and he gave a happy sigh.“I’m officially back.”

“So we can expect you in Boston ...maybe sometime in June?When does school let out in the sticks?”

Callum paused.“Well, about that ...”

“I knew there’d be a catch.”

“Ralph, Boston just doesn’t feel like home to me anymore.Don’t get me wrong—it’ll always have a special place in my heart.But I ...I really love it here.I thought I’d never belong here, but I do.And I love these kids.I love teaching, in a way I never, ever thought I could.”

“And you love Blair, but that much is obvious.You’re writing music again.You’re happy again.Of course you’re in love.”

“Well, I am in love.”That truth resonated in his soul.He was in love with Blair.“But God’s the one who’s inspiring the music now.And yes, at the moment Blair is the face of that inspiration, but she’s not the reason I can write music again.He is.So I think over winter break I’m going to fly to Boston and officially put my condo on the market.”He’d been subletting it to a couple of BU graduate students, but the time had come to sell it.

“Funny you should mention that,” Ralph said.“I’m in the market for a new place.And I’ve always loved your condo.”

“You wanna buy it?That’d sure make life easier on my end.”

“You serious?”

“I am.”

“Then let’s talk numbers soon,” Ralph said.“We can sign papers when you’re here.”

“What happened with your apartment?”Callum asked.

“It’s ...no longer large enough for my needs.”

Callum read between the lines.“Wait, did you meet someone too?You did, didn’t you?Who’s the sly dog now?”

“Not sly,” Ralph replied.“Just lucky.”

“Well, however it happened, congratulations.”

“Think Blair would come with you over break?”he asked.“I’d love to meet her.”

“I’ll bet she would,” he said.“She needs to see Boston once before it’s officially part of my past.”

“So you’re serious about staying?”Ralph asked.

“I can compose anywhere,” Callum replied.“And for the foreseeable future, I’ve decided to do that here in Peterson.”

“Well, congratulations, mazel tov, and all that jazz.I’ll let the world know you’re back open for business.”

“Thank you, Ralph.”

“You’re welcome.”

“No, I mean it.”A sudden lump formed in his throat.“Thanks for believing in me, even when—especially when—I didn’t believe in myself.You’ve been a rock for me these last five years.I hope you know that.”