FicWad

The next afternoon, the crisp winter air felt different. Jonny sat alone on his porch steps, staring at his gloved hands. The knuckles were still a bit pink, but the heavy weight in his chest was gone. A soft crunch of snow made him look up. Double D and Nazz were walking up his driveway, carrying a brightly wrapped shoebox tied with a big red bow.

"Good afternoon, Jonny," Double D greeted him with a warm, tentative smile.

"Hey, guys," Jonny replied, his voice quiet but no longer defensive.

Nazz sat down on the step next to him, placing the box gently on his lap. "We brought you something. We had to do a bit of searching in the woods behind the old movie theater, but... well, open it."Jonny carefully untied the ribbon and lifted the lid. Resting inside on a bed of tissue paper was a familiar piece of wood. Its painted black eyes and red smile were slightly faded from the elements, but it was unmistakably him.

"Plank!" Jonny gasped, his eyes widening. He lifted the board out of the box, cradling it like a long-lost brother. "You found him!"

"It was the least we could do, Jonny," Double D said, adjusting his hat. "After we spoke yesterday, Nazz and I realized that true reconciliation meant restoring what was wrongfully taken from you. He was buried near the old wreckage, but he is completely structurally sound."

Jonny held Plank up to his ear, listening intently for a long, silent moment. A huge grin slowly spread across his face.

"What's he saying, Jonny?" Nazz asked with a gentle smile.

Jonny looked up, his eyes shining with relief. "He says he missed me. And... he says he forgives you guys, too. He's glad to be home."

Double D smiled sincerely, patting Jonny on the shoulder. "We are glad he is home too, Jonny. Come along, the others are waiting at the lane for a game of hockey. And that includes both of you."

Jonny tucked Plank securely under his arm, standing up with a newfound confidence. For the first time in a very long time, the cul-de-sac felt like home again.