Corbin focused on adjusting to his new job for most of the summer, and while he had joined a local art club to help improve his photography skills he rarely went to the meetings.  It wasn’t until Maaike came to visit Oasis Springs and begged to meet his hometown friends that he realized how much of a hermit he had become. 

He invited Maaike and

Alice (the leader of the art club) out to brunch so they could all catch up. 

Maaike: “Don’t feel too bad Alice, this bozo hasn’t called any of us since he left Windenburg.  We’ve been debating for a while over whether it was worth it to come over and harass him until he apologizes, but everyone else has been so busy that I finally gave up on waiting for them and bought a ticket.” 

[They ended up switching places; I guess the sun was in her eyes, while Corbin’s glasses have automatic sun-tinting?  I don’t know.]   ¯_(ツ)_/¯ 

Corbin: “Don’t listen to this woman.  Do you know how many club meetings she flaked out on because she was reading ‘this great new book you guys all have to get!’?” 

Alice seemed awkward when they first sat down, but slowly opened up as she saw how comfortable the other two were with one another.  Her comments were short but funny, and she was interested in every reference he made to his job at the Space Center.  After Maaike left, Alice unwound even more and the two shared thoughts on art history, star patterns, and past relationships. 

Their conversation was finally cut short when Corbin had to leave for a 1pm meeting.  He left with smile.  That may be the longest brunch I have ever had, and I don’t regret a second of it. 

Slowly adding to the downstairs- haven’t even touched upstairs yet.  But hey, at least he has some groceries now!  Who doesn’t love a cupboard full of cereal and PB&J? 

Well, I’m home.  That’s what I wanted, right? 

Corbin left most of his big furniture in Windenburg; moving it there originally had been frustrating enough, trying to deal with that and the memories they would bring with them wasn’t worth the effort.  It was easier to buy a new bed and bookcase locally, and his parents dug into their storage to find a desk and dresser for him. 

His mom also gave him a few plants “-for color.  And they’re succulents so you can’t kill them!”  Gee, thanks.  He smiled and shook his head. 

This place looked so much smaller when he thought he’d be sharing it with Yuki. 

But Corbin couldn’t mope around for long.  He had work the next day and still needed to unpack a few things (and build a bed) before it got dark- he hadn’t called SCG&E yet and if he didn’t hurry one way or another he’d be working by candle light. 

Candy: “…no, theyre at it again …can I come over? …thanx =) ur the best” 

Yuki: “-But I have tried to tell you!  You get so excited planning for this stupid move that whenever I try to talk to you, you talk over me and ask me questions I don’t care about, you don’’t listen!” 

Corbin sighed heavily.  “I already quit my job here, what am I supposed to do!?  I have to go, they expect me in on Monday!  Why couldn’t you at least try it?” 

Yuki: “Because I don’t want to go!  I hate the heat, I hate Oasis Springs!  It means rocks and snakes and sunburns to me!  Everything and everyone I know is here.  I like it here.”

Corbin: “I can’t do this any more Yuki.  I… I think it’s time we called it quits.  I don’t think either of us is happy.  I’ll bring my stuff to Paolo’s and he can drop me off at the airport later so you don’t have to worry about it.”