Chapter Seventeen - The Quest Complete: Panda Express and Chocolate Milk

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

The Quest Complete: Panda Express and Chocolate Milk

I EAT DINNER alone in the food court.
Orange chicken. Two spring rolls. A chocolate milk from the convenience store tucked between Sunglass Hut and Lids.

I scroll my phone.
No texts.
Just peace.

The voice from the koi pond returns in my head.

“What you seek was never in your back pocket…”

I look at the wallet.
Smile.
Then toss it in the trash.
Apple Pay forever.

The mall speakers kick on:
“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” plays softly overhead.

I leave through the west exit, where the sun hits just right.
The sky looks fake.
So do I.
But I’m okay with that.

Because today was…
A Totally Normal Day.