Page 77 of Every Breath

“What you did for the people in Mason Collins’s life make up for your indiscretion.”

“Even if I didn’t work things out with Karen.”

“You tried, but that’s not to say that when you go back you stop trying. You have to keep on trying.”

“I understand.”

“There is one other thing,” Paul began hesitantly.

Mason didn’t like the sound of his friend’s voice. “What?”

“Brandi won’t remember that you were Damon. She’ll only ever know you as Mason Collins. Her feelings, of course, won’t change for you.”

“I can live with that,” Mason shrugged.

“You won’t remember your life as Damon, either, and you won’t remember your time in heaven…or me.”

“What! Do you mean that I’m going to stop loving her, and I won’t remember my kids? I won’t remember you?”

“You won’t forget how much you love her. You’ll remember everything from the time you returned to earth, and, as before, you’ll retain enough memory to function as Mason Collins.”

“So all the memories of the past will be gone?” Mason felt the walls caving in his heart.

“I talked to Peter, and he agreed, that when your time on earth is up again, which won’t be for a long time, by the way, your memories will return, but not before then.”

“But I won’t remember a big chunk of my life.”

“I’m sorry, but that’s the way it will be if you return to earth.”

Mason wanted to scream and rage but he realized that he had no choice if he wanted to be with Brandi again. “Paul, will…will you be watching us?”

“You couldn’t stop me.” Paul smiled.

“Paul…I’m going to miss you, man.”

“This isn’t goodbye, you know. We’ll see each other again.”

“Promise me.”

“I promise.”

They embraced. Mason’s chest was tight with emotion. He pulled back and looked at his friend. “One more question.”

“What?”

“Did you stop that gun from firing?”

Paul winked. “What do you think?”

Mason closed his eyes and shook his head. Paul was one in a million.

When he opened his eyes, he was in a hospital bed. Again.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

“I told you my dad would love you as much as I do, I don’t know why you were so nervous.” Brandi smiled at Mason as they drove back to her house.

“Well, he sure didn’t act like it,” Mason growled.

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