Finally, the screen flickered to life.
Ziggy's face appeared first, filling the frame with that infectious grin that had gotten us both into trouble since early childhood. Behind him, I glimpsed his dorm room—unmade bed, poetry books scattered over every surface, and what looked like yesterday's hockey gear draped over a chair.
"Eric Callahan!" His voice crackled through the laptop speakers, warm and familiar as hot chocolate on Christmas morning. "There's my favorite hermit. You look—" He paused, head tilting as he studied my face through the camera. "Actually, you look really good. Different."
Before I could respond, Kade's face appeared beside Ziggy's, leaning into the frame. He was sipping from a ceramic mug that said "Poetry Is Not Dead" in faded lettering, his light brown hair catching the late afternoon sun streaming through their window.
Kade spoke. "What Ziggy means is that you look happy. Like, actually happy, not just performing happiness for the camera."
I placed a hand on Wes's shoulder. "Guys, I want you to meet Wes Hunter. Wes, this is Ziggy—my best friend since… well, ever—and his boyfriend Kade."
Wes raised one hand in a slight wave, his smile polite but guarded. "Nice to meet you both."
"So you're the mysterious caretaker," Ziggy's grin widened as he leaned closer to the camera again. "Eric's been different since he got to your island. Like, actually-happy different. We were starting to think he'd been replaced by a pod person with better social skills."
"Ziggy," I warned.
Kade nudged Ziggy with his elbow. "What my tactless boyfriend means is thank you for taking care of our boy. We were worried about him going off to study alone on some remote island. Figured he'd either get eaten by seagulls or spend a month talking to himself."
A hint of a smile appeared on Wes's face. "The seagulls here are more civilized than most people."
Movement behind Ziggy and Kade caught my attention. A familiar figure passed through the background—broad shoulders, graying hair, and the unmistakable bearing of a man who'd spent decades walking into burning buildings.
"Dad?" I leaned forward, squinting at the screen.
My father appeared properly in frame, expression softening when he saw me. "Eric. Good to see you, Son."
"What are you doing at Ziggy's place?"
"Your buddy gave me a quick call, and I figured it was time I met this Kade we've been hearing so much about. The drive's just over an hour up here to Orono."
Beside me, Wes had gone very still. I felt the shift in his posture. Something had captured his complete attention.
"Chief Callahan," Wes said quietly.
My dad's expression changed, sharpening with recognition. He leaned forward, examining Wes's face through the pixelated connection. "Wesley Hunter."
Everyone was silent for a few moments.
Dad finally spoke. "I was hoping Eric might bring you home with him. We should talk when you're ready. It's long overdue."
Wes raked his fingers through his hair. "Sir, I—"
"None of that." Dad's voice was gentle but firm. "You don't owe me anything, Son. If anything, I owe you an apology. Should have reached out years ago."
Ziggy glanced between the camera and my father. "Okay, this got heavy fast, but since we're all here, Eric, tell us about this research project that isn't just research anymore."
Ziggy managed to break some of the attention, but I had a hard time coming up with words. "It's complicated."
Kade smiled. "The best things usually are. Ziggy's about to tell an embarrassing story about you. I can see it in his eyes."
I groaned. "Oh, God."
"Remember when Eric decided he would impress all of us by learning to skateboard?" Ziggy's grin turned wicked. "This was sophomore year of high school, and Eric had never been on anything with wheels that wasn't attached to a car."
"Please don't." A tingle raced up my spine, and I smiled even though I knew what was coming.
"So he borrows this ancient skateboard from somewhere—I think it belonged to his cousin's ex-boyfriend—and decides he's going to practice in secret until he can casually glide down the hall at school like some kind of Tony Hawk superhero."
