That afternoon, Lily met with the Beckingham clan. She had an announcement to make and everyone needed to be there. Greeted with two concerned faces, she started off.

"Things have changed and I'm feeling a lot better these days." She paused, fiddling with her fingers like a girl swearing she didn't steal cookies from the drawer on the top shelf.

"Is this your testimony, Lily?"

"No, Mrs. Beckingham." She nodded, and she gave a warm smile. "I'm moving back home."

"Home?" Jodi said wide-eyed. "But this is your home!"

"I'm sorry." She twisted her lips. "But I'm still going to be here."

"I know that." Jodi sighed, falling back into her chair. "You were like a breath of fresh air around here." She suddenly sprung back up, slapping her son's shoulder. "Say something, will you? You're just going to let her leave."

He gazed at the corner of the room, he was speechless. He didn't think she'd go through with it. He sat up, fixing his clothes. "What's there to say, Jodi? She has made up her mind, hasn't she?" He turned to Lily finally. "I'm trying to put myself in your shoes, Lily but it's hard to comprehend. If you like staying here, then why would you possibly want to leave?"

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

"It really isn't about what's pushing me away or making me leave... It's what's calling me, that house is all I have left. What kind of person would I be to let that slip away? Everything here is so great, so grand but it's not as close to home as I can get." She chuckled. "I'm sorry, Mrs. Beckingham. Your home and my home: they're two different things."

"Oh dear gosh." She scoffed, fanning herself. "Enlighten me then, what so different about it?"

"My home isn't a place." She looked around. "It is a feeling. It is the feeling. Home is the feeling of being cradled in my father's arms even at 19."

"When do you plan on leaving?" William choked out, this time she might have a date.

"I can't say, as soon as possible. Next week Maybe."

"Next week?" His mother responded in a pounce. "That's just before the party."

William watched them, he waited until Lily was finished. If she liked staying there, why would she want to leave? He couldn't put himself in her shoes.