Page 243 of On a Fault Line

The digital proof of Penny’s struggles spans over months, and with each glance at the evidence, it’s plain to see that she has come a long way to get to where she is currently.

“It pains me to see these pictures,” I admit. “Some I haven’t seen until today.”

“It guts us as well,” Donna agrees. “But it does help to look back if just to keep everything in perspective.”

Leaning forward, Germain reaches for my hand to shake, and I accept. “You have given our Penny life again. When she was released from the facility, we were all terrified she would slip back into her catatonic state. Seeing someone you love suffer so much does something to the brain. It causes real fear and worry. But all these months, Penny has had you.”

“Thank you for not hating me.”

“Hating you?” Donna asks, her shock portrayed by her gaping mouth. “Never.”

“We could never hate you, Collins,” Germain echoes.

“I went about this all wrong…”

Germain places his hand on my shoulder. “Well, if you are solely here to ask for our blessing, then you wasted a trip. Because how can we deny either of you what has been clearly set as your destiny?”

Wiping at another tear that forms at the corner of my eye, I nod. “Thank you. Truly, thank you.”

“Now, as for my stubborn and overbearing boys,” Donna says with conviction, “I’ll handle them.”

I laugh through all the emotion. “Good luck.”

48

COLLINS

“Collins, I wasn’t expecting you,” Claire greets at the doorway of her new home. She takes a step back to grant me access. “Nic is at Graham’s place.”

“I know. That’s why I decided to stop over.”

“Okay…”

I follow her into her living room and take a seat on the chair, as she sits down on the couch. She is less than two months away from giving birth and looks like the aches and pains have set in full force.

Guilt stabs at me for even considering involving her in my personal dilemmas, but I’m past the stage of being desperate.

“I need your help.”

Claire makes the gimme-gimme hands. “Please. Keep going…”

“I need you to lure Penny to me so?—”

“It looks less like a kidnapping.”

“Exactly,” I say with a laugh.

“Count me in.”

“You haven’t even thought about it or heard the details.”

Claire shrugs. “I don’t need to. I’m all about the ride or die…”

“No one is going to die,” I clarify.

“It’s an expression.”

It’s one I’ll never really understand apparently. “Okay…I appreciate your help.”

---