Page 123 of The Originals

“Hi Jack.”

Hey, darlin’.

She gasped, her tears streaming down her face, but she couldn’t help but smile, hearing his voice in her head. All these years later, and she never forgot the sound of it.

“I ended up exactly where I was supposed to be. Just like you promised.”

Yeah.

“It wasn’t perfect.” Colleen laughed, brushing her cheeks. “Not even close.”

Two marriages ending in divorce. They hadn’t stood the test of time. Colleen always wondered if it had been her fault. Doomed from the beginning because in her eyes, no man would ever measure up to Jack.

Her eyes glanced over the river. “I just wanted to see it one last time, you know?”

Yeah, I know.

“It hasn’t changed.” She tucked her hands in her pockets, lifting her shoulders to her ears. She scanned the river, searching for something different. She craned her neck, glancing up. The trees had probably grown, some had most likely died or fallen over the years. But she couldn’t see it. The Ghosttown river was exactly how she remembered. The warm breeze felt like a comforting hug welcoming herhome.

“I changed, though.” She sighed. “I hung up my bartender hat and went back to school.” She groaned slightly then laughed. “I always hated school, and well, that didn’t change, but” —her chest tightened with pride— “I did it. Got my GED, even went to the local college, got a degree. It took me a lot longer than most people. I had to work three jobs just to pay for it, but um” —she swallowed the knot in her throat and whispered— “I did it.”

Proud of you, darlin’.

She sucked in air as her eyes welled and her vision blurred. Those words hit her hard. They meant something coming from him. It was almost as if he was there.Beside me.

“I got married. Then divorced. Then married again, and well, I realized maybe marriage isn’t for me.” She laughed through her tears. Colleen stared off at the river. “But I have a son. That boy saved me, Jack. Gave me the life you promised I’d have. The one I deserved.”

And the one that would come to an end shortly. Her diagnosis was terminal. There were options to prolong her life, give her a few more months at best. It’s what her family would’ve wanted had they known.But not me.Not many would understand, but she didn’t want her last days spent with everyone waiting on her death. She chose to keep her prognosis to herself. Maybe it was selfish, but with fate stepping aside and letting her steer her ride, she was going to leave this earth on her terms.

She’d spent the last two weeks with her son. He hadn’t had a family and might not ever, but he was enjoying his life. A free spirit who refused to settle down. The only man to ever get her on a motorcycle after she’d left Ghosttown. It was his prized possession. He just loved the ride.Like father, like son.It was hard saying goodbye to her son. But she’d done right by him and left him with a lot of good memories.

Kid got a name?

Colleen’s eyes welled, and the knot in her throat tightened. “Named him after his dad. He’s the spitting image of him.”

A daily reminder of a beautiful memory.

She took a final look at the place that sparked one of her fondest memories. One she’d thought about over the years. And she’d continue to keep for the next few weeks until she closed her eyes for the last time. She had rented a small bungalow at thebeach. It was off season and wouldn’t be crowded. She’d enjoy the calm, the quiet and tranquil solitude.

This was her last stop before her final destination.

Ghosttown.

“Well.” She drew in a breath. “I should be going. As always, you were the best listener.” She turned, staring up at the path. “One more thing.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. “I regret leaving. Every day.” She whispered and sniffled. “You were myone that got away, Jack.”

It was almost strange to admit, though she’d been saying it in her head for years. Between the good times and the bad, Jack Reilly was never too far from her thoughts. The would’ve, could’ve, should have been. It was hard to let that go.

She took a few steps.

“Hey!”

Colleen immediately halted and spun around. It was his voice, but it sounded different from the one in her head. She peered around, but she was alone.

And you were mine, Coll.

Her chest tightened, her heart raced, and a calm washed over her. She ducked her head and smiled, taking one last look at the river. The memories.

“I’ll see you soon, Jack.”

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