Page 123 of Lethal Weakness

A choice that made it easier to slip into the shadows of society.

Linden can see that, too. “You had every right to defend yourself.”

“It didn’t feel so simple back then.”

“So, what happened?”

“Well, he didn’t actually die. Turns out a kid doesn’t really know the difference, and for a few hours, I really thought I had killed him. It didn’t matter, though. My family was looked at like we were sinners. As if we were against the church because we accused him of such a heinous crime. People went as far as making remarks about mine and my mom’s skin tone, and how uncivilized we were. They turned on all of us.”

“That’s why you left?”

“I didn’t get in any trouble from the courts because the deacon was caught with his pants off. The police knew I was telling the truth. Public opinion wasn’t so forgiving. My parents wanted me to start over. Aunt Kay was left to deal with the aftermath here. I suspected that she stopped going to the church where it happened, but I think she stopped going to church altogether, and I’m afraid that’s my fault.”

“I don’t think she would agree. She seems perfectly happy. She has found her own purpose in the community.”

“Yeah, well… I guess I know a thing or two about disrupting people’s lives. Plucking you and Avery from yours was light work compared to what I put my family through.”

“They did it because they loved you, and you saved us because you love us. I feel really lucky that you disrupted our life… It was pretty fucked up before you came along.” She smiles softly.

“The chaos will settle… I promise.”

“I believe you.”

Chapter Forty-Three

Linden

“You’re sure this is a good idea?” I clutch my forearms as I watch him gear up.

We spent most of the day hanging out with Avery, but I could tell he wasn’t himself. Rather, the old Jack- our mysterious neighbor, not the real, raw Jack I’ve fallen in love with.

“I don’t want to be away from you guys, but the sooner I end this, the better. You’ll have a clean break. We all will.”

“You’re going to tell your boss that you’re done?”

“I’ll tell them that I have a family now. My priorities have shifted. If they still want me for local jobs, I might stay on. If not, I’ll consider myself retired.” He slides his gun into the holster that’s tucked under his belt.

“You don’t think family life might bore you?”

“I don’t know any part of you that’s boring, momma bird,” he whispers, leaving a gentle kiss on my lips.

“I’m afraid that once you walk out that door, reality is going to sink in again. The way our life has been upended is going to hit me.”

“I won’t be gone long, and when I get back, I’ll put any pieces that came loose back together again.”

“I don’t know if I should call you my fixer or my protector.”

“Just call me yours.”

There’s my Jack.

I squeeze his hand. “That I can do.”

“Are you going bye-bye, Mr. Jack?” Avery says from landing by the stairs.

“Yeah, I am. Just for a little while.” He smiles softly at her, but it falls as soon as her little bottom lip starts to tremble. “Oh, no. No, no, no.” He falls to his knees in front of her and wraps her in a hug.

“I don’t want you to go,” she cries, and my heart breaks.