Escape from Mr. Whitman (Emma and Theodore) novel Chapter 378

At last, Carney managed to find a trace of the boy he once knew in Theodore’s face. He opened the door, but for a moment, neither of them could speak; Bart’s name hung unspoken between them.

“Come in… come in, sit for a while,” Carney said, stepping aside to let Theodore enter.

As they walked down the hallway, Theodore learned that Carney and Bart’s mother, Fanny Pearson, had only just returned from abroad the day before. They planned to settle here for their remaining years.

Inside, Fanny was busy unpacking boxes. It took her a moment to recognize Theodore. When she finally did, she invited him to sit, and they chatted about everyday things. Gradually, the air in the room grew warmer, a faint sense of comfort returning.

With tears in her eyes, Fanny sighed, “It’s been years, but it still feels like it all happened just yesterday. The pain never really lessens… whenever I think of it, it’s as if my heart’s being squeezed.”

Theodore felt a lump rise in his throat, a raw ache that made it hard to speak. He had no idea what words could possibly offer comfort.

Instead, it was Fanny who wiped her tears away and forced a smile. “Thank you for remembering Bart, for coming all this way to visit us.”

Theodore felt a wave of embarrassment. He hadn’t brought anything—not even flowers. He hadn’t expected anyone to be home at all.

“I’ll come visit more often… if it’s not a bother for you,” he said quietly. The last time he’d seen Bart, they’d fought. Foolish pride, harsh words—he’d never imagined it truly would be goodbye.

“How could you ever be a bother?” Fanny replied softly. “You young people have your own lives and careers. Don’t let us keep you.”

Theodore gave a bitter smile. What life? What career? These days, he felt like a man adrift, no place to truly call home.

He stayed for a long time. Eventually, Fanny brought out a small rosewood box—the few things Bart had left behind.

“These are all we have,” she murmured, tears shimmering in her eyes. “The rest of his things… his clothes… were all destroyed. Only these survived.”

Inside the box was a notebook filled with travel journals, a pen, a wristwatch, a Swiss Army knife, a lighter, a pair of sunglasses, his documents, and a handful of wilderness survival tools.

But Theodore’s gaze was drawn immediately to a small stone nestled among the items.

“Fanny, may I see this?” His voice trembled.

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