"Adrien", Val said, and he stared up between the trees and the sky as he spoke, "I want you to know that I... I am glad that we met. When I first replied to your letter, I worried for weeks that I had made a mistake to accept you as an apprentice. I worried that I wouldn't be a good mentor... that I couldn't be a good mentor. I worried about what kind of person you would be, and if I would enjoy your presence... if I could let a stranger into my house. Then you came... And none of my fears were of any consequence at all. These months have been some of the happiest of my life". Tears appeared in Val's eyes. "Adrien", he then said in a broken voice, "I will miss you".

Adrien could not restrain himself from crying anymore. He lowered his head and hid his face behind his hands. He sobbed - Val, too, knew - Val, too, did not want this to end.

"I will miss you... too...".