The Twenty-First Winter

1.

On New Year's Eve, I dragged my suitcase out of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, my heart racing with excitement to be reunited with my boyfriend, Caleb.

As I moved through the crowd, a sickeningly sweet female voice cut through the noise.

“Caleb! I’m here! Where are you?”

I froze.

The same name, the same cloying tone―it was just like me three years ago, desperately crossing the country to be with him.

I shook my head, laughing at my own paranoia.

Then, the full name hit my ea