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“No…” He sighed. “I suppose I can’t, but I’m going to do everything I can.” He stood and I watched him step away. “I’m so sorry, Easton. I never should have allowed myself to fall for you.”
“Like you could stop it…like any of you could.” Daisy huffed. “How ridiculous you’re both being. Look, I told Finch to stay away, but in reality he couldn’t. Love happens, and it doesn’t give a shit what the environment is like when it catches you. If Finch walks away now, you’re still in danger. If you leave or run, you’ll be found.” Daisy rolled her eyes at me.
“Easton, do you regret any of your time with Finch?”
“No.” I didn’t even have to think about it.
“And would you like to always have those memories?”
I tilted my head at her. “Huh?”
“I can make you forget all of this, make your son and daughter never remember Finch. I can plead to the board you’re not a threat, and they can order Manchineel to leave you be. If that is what you want, it can be done.”
I searched out Finch, whose smile was shaky, eyes glistening, and sadness shrouded his lithe body. Not remember him? Sure, that would mean I wouldn’t mourn his loss. My kids might be safe.
“Dad!” Milo came barreling in, not realizing the heavy discussion we were having.
“Hungry?” Daisy beamed and moved over to the stove.
“Yeah, thanks…oh, wow, cool map.”
I blinked and turned toward Milo. “Uh, yeah.”
“Cool!” He sat down beside me and started trailing Lorelie River with his finger. “My teacher told us about Fool’s Pass and how it got its name.”
“Is that right?” Finch cleared his throat and approached the table, his expression full of apprehension but as put together as someone could be after what Daisy had said.
“Mmhmm. She said people used to come through this land thinking it led to like a gold mine or something, but it never did and those who tried they called fools.”
“So they named it Fool’s Pass.” Finch grinned at Milo. “Clever.”
“Yeah, I mean, kinda mean, though.” Milo shrugged and smiled when Daisy brought him some food.
“How so?” she asked as she joined the three of us.
“Well, it’s not like they knew it wasn’t going to lead anywhere, right? They thought they’d get there and dig and get rich. Someone told them that, probably.”
“Most likely,” I answered as Milo popped a piece of bacon into his mouth.
“Wasn’t like they weren’t gonna go and do the work for it. Not fools, just hopeful.”
Finch ruffled Milo’s hair. “Hopeful Pass sounds better?”
Milo nodded. “That woulda been better, I think.”
“I like that.” Daisy sipped her orange juice.
“Why’d you come running in here, shouting my name before?” I started rolling up the map so it wouldn’t get dirty.
“Oh! I know we have the clinic place tomorrow, but after, can you help me set up my field recording stuff outside?”
“Field recording stuff?” Daisy chuckled. “Sounds fancy.”
“He’s ten, but the kid’s a genius.” I smirked. “What for?”
“We’re getting a huge thunderstorm tomorrow night, and the school has a play this year and I asked Ms. Romone if I could do anything, and she said sound, and there’s a scene with a storm, and I thought it’d be cool.”
Milo had been so good about being stuck home, and to see him taking interest in something non-sports related relieved me.
