The morning after the first day of searching, Will stood by the shoreline, his arms crossed tightly over his chest as he watched the dive team leader approach. The man’s expression was professional but not encouraging, and Will’s heart sank even before the report began.
“The lake’s bigger than it looks,” the leader said, his tone apologetic. “The currents here are subtle, but even a slight one could carry something as small as a medallion a considerable distance. We’ve covered the area your son described, but so far, there’s no sign of it.”
Will nodded stiffly, trying to process the words. “So you’re saying…”
“I’m saying the chances aren’t great,” the leader admitted. “We’ll keep searching today as planned, but I want to set realistic expectations. It’s like finding a needle in a haystack out there.”
“Thank you,” Stacy interjected quickly, sensing Will’s rising tension. “We appreciate everything you’re doing.”
The leader gave a polite nod before turning back toward his team. As he walked away, Will let out a long breath, his hands trembling slightly. Stacy placed a comforting hand on his arm.
“We still have today,” she said gently. “They haven’t given up, and neither should we.”
Will didn’t respond immediately. His jaw tightened as he stared at the calm water, his reflection mirroring Stacy’s face back at him. “I’m trying,” he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.
While the dive team resumed their work, Stacy and Will returned home to continue grappling with their new reality. Stacy had taken it upon herself to help Will adjust as best as she could, even if neither of them truly believed the medallion was lost forever. The search team’s grim outlook had only underscored the need to prepare for the worst.
That evening, they sat together on the couch, exhausted but feeling a small sense of progress. Will leaned back, his head resting against the cushions. “You know,” he said after a moment, “this isn’t exactly how I pictured us spending our summer.”
Stacy laughed softly, tucking her legs beneath her. “No kidding."
Later, Will paced nervously around the living room, the phone pressed tightly to his ear as he listened to the dive team leader’s voice on the other end. Stacy sat nearby, her eyes fixed on him, silently bracing herself for whatever news would come.
“I’m really sorry,” the leader said, his tone earnest but professional. “We did everything we could, but the lake is just too vast, and with the currents, well… sometimes things just get lost. It happens.”
Will’s throat tightened as he struggled to speak. “I… I understand. Thank you for trying.”
The man’s voice softened, perhaps sensing Will’s disappointment. “I know this feels like a big loss, but it’s just something material. No one was hurt. No one died. Sometimes we just have to let go.”
Will clenched his jaw, his grip on the phone tightening. “Right. Thank you again.”
“Take care, miss,” the leader said politely before the line disconnected.
The last word hit Will like a punch to the gut. He stood frozen for a moment, the phone slipping from his hand and landing on the couch. Stacy rose from her seat, her expression filled with concern, but she said nothing as she approached him.
Will’s shoulders began to shake, the tears he had been holding back finally breaking free. “I… I can’t do this,” he choked out, his voice trembling. “It’s gone, Stacy. It’s really gone. And now… now I’m just…”
He couldn’t finish the sentence. Stacy didn’t need him to. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him close. The dam broke completely, and Will collapsed against her, sobbing uncontrollably into her shoulder.
Stacy held him tightly, her own eyes welling with tears as she felt his pain. She didn’t speak, knowing that no words could make this better.
"What do we do now?” Will finally whispered, his voice barely audible.
Stacy kissed the top of his head, her own tears slipping down her cheeks. “We keep going,” she said softly. “Together. One step at a time.”
