Page 65 of Destiny Reclaimed
“Excuse me?” she questioned.
The guy looked at his parents. “Can I talk to them in private?”
Concern flashed across Mr. Tebon’s face then he stood and ushered his wife out of the room. Having served in WWII, the older man probably knew to some extent what his son remembered and didn’t want to discuss in front of his mother.
Using his sleeve, Gary wiped the sweat from his face and averted his gaze. “My memory is spotty, but it’s been coming back.”
Jack sat and Gabriela followed suit.
“Something’s not right.”
“That’s understandable, you’ve been through a lot,” Gabriela said.
He nodded. “True, but it’s more than that. I have this feeling. Deep down in my soul that I’m...”
“Not living the life you should be? This reality is not your true destiny?” Jack questioned, fully understanding how the guy felt.
Gary nodded again. “It’s like my whole world isn’t right. I don’t fit in here. My family is trying to make me feel comfortable, but it isn’t working. And, work, that’s another similar story. I just don’t fit in. Then...” He paused and stared out the window for a few beats before fixing his gaze on Gabriela. “Then, when you touched me, I saw...”
“Saw what?” she asked.
He closed his eyes and drew in a long breath. “I’m not supposed to be here.”
“What do you mean?” she pressed.
“I don’t know. I just know I’m not supposed to be here, in this house.” He buried his face against the palms of his hands. “H-here at all,” he finished.
The sound was muffled against his hands but Jack was sure he heard him correctly.
The front door creaked open. Two sets of heels clicked lightly against the hardwood floor. Anticipation buzzed through Jack’s veins hoping it would be Gwennie and Blake. Elation overtook him when the two rounded the corner of the archway.
The little boy’s face lit up. “Mr. Cornelis!” he squealed as he ran toward him. Now, the lad’s cowboy boots clunked hard against the floor.
Jack leaned forward and hugged the boy—his boy. Love filled his heart to the point it almost exploded. God, he needed to set things straight. He released his son and glanced toward Gwennie who stood in the doorway. Her bow-shaped lips stretched into an affectionate smile. He wanted to leap up and hug her, too. But held back.
“Hey, Sis,” Gary acknowledged.
With her dark sunglasses, Jack couldn’t determine where exactly she looked, but he felt as though her gaze was on him and Blake. It was then he noticed her flushed cheeks, not her normal, smooth, peaches and cream color, but red and blotchy. His chest tightened. Anger surged through him at the realization her skin was marked from crying, or worse, because of Arthur’s heavy hand again—hence, the glasses still on in the house? He fought the urge to storm out, drive to Arthur’s, and punch the vile man’s lights out.
“Mom and Dad are in the kitchen,” Gary said.
Was that an intentional cue to let his twin know he wanted privacy?
“Come on, honey. Let’s go see Grandma and Grandpa.”
The second Gwennie disappeared from the room, Gary leaped off his chair as he lifted his arm and pointed to where his twin had stood. “And that’s not right. Her life is not right. Something is wrong here.” Anger laced the man’s tone. “She should not be married tohim. That asshole beats her. I know it, yet, she denies it and defends him. This has got to stop!”
The enraged man spun and took two steps toward the front door before Jack snatched his arm with an iron grip. Gary flying off the handle was the last thing Jack needed right now. That action would be of no use in his effort to restore his life—all their lives—history.
Gary tried to tug away, but Jack tightened his grip.
“I think we can fix this,” Gabriela said softly. “Help your sister...you. Please hear us out. If you don’t like what we have to say or how we might be able to help, you can always go take care of Arthur later.”
Gary studied the tiny woman for a few moments before his tense muscles loosened a smidge in Jack’s hand.
When the man nodded, Jack released him.
Gabriela motioned for them to sit. Jack sat first, hoping the others would as well. A sense of relief washed through him when Gwennie’s twin sat.
