Page 128 of Sinners Reunion

I shake my head. “The experiment didn’t. The realization that we’d squandered something precious did. Jim was first afflicted with the bug, and I followed soon after.”

She’s quiet for a moment, then whispers, “Do you regret the experiment?”

My eyes slide shut, and I swallow. “If I had it to do over again, I would begin the same, minus the memory rewrites, but I’d change one thing for the children. In every moment where they needed me, I would have been there.”

“You should tell them that.”

I will. If given the chance, I’ll let them know how much I regret the time I’ve missed.

This final trip was a way to give back some of what I stole. But in some selfish ways, this final trip was a way for me to get those experiences too. I wanted them just as badly, but they’d already long passed me by once I realized it.

Josie starts to snore against my chest, and I’m just dozing off when I hear a gentle knock on the RV door. I ease out from under her and pad to the front of the RV to see who’s calling at this late hour. When I peer into the darkness, I see Cat.

I step outside and ease the door shut behind me. “Is something the matter? Has Bennett wedged his manhood inside another food item and gotten himself truly stuck this time?”

“No, he’s fine. I just wanted to thank you for the soap-box race.”

“It was a good win, wasn’t it?” I push my hands into my pockets and lean against the RV.

“I don’t mean the win. I mean the way you helped Bennett.” She looks down at her feet. “That night was the first night he didn’t cry since his mom died.”

I’ve never been happier to hear something so damn depressing. Perhaps I’m not so far off from supporting my son in the ways he needs.

I consider taking a risk and telling Cat everything. Instead, I pat her shoulder and thank her for letting me know. No sense burdening the poor girl when she likely can’t change his mind either. I send her off to bed and climb back into my camper.

Josie is right by the door.

“That’s promising,” she whispers.

“Do you ever turn off those satellites you call ears?” I grab her hand and lead her back to the bed, where we resume our positions.

But it is promising, and as I hold Josie and consider how close I am to repairing the damage I’ve caused to the people I care most about, I can’t tamp down the bit of hope still rising in my weary soul.

Chapter Forty-One

King

Billowing velvet curtains the color of dried blood hang over a stage. Jim stands in front of the curtain, looking dapper in a black tux and top hat. A spotlight lands on him, and he smiles at those of us in the audience as he struts across wooden boards that have been trodden on by some of the greatest magicians to ever visit Vegas.

I’m back in a suit, and while it feels fantastic, I’m much more aware of how stuffy these clothes are. It’s fine for events and dinners, but I have a feeling the comfortable clothing is here to stay.

If I live long enough to enjoy that change.

“Welcome, Sinners,” Jim says. His lapel mic picks up his voice, which comes in clear as crystal through the speakers. “After spending the day exploring the sights and sounds of Las Vegas, you now have a wonderful night in store, full of magic and mystery.”

If I never have to take Josie to Vegas again, it will be too soon. We spent all morning walking the Strip, then all afternoon playing slots and cards.

But then again, if I get to take Josie to Vegas again, it would be a small blessing. It would mean we succeeded and that there was a future to be had and plans to be made.

Jim pulls a white-tipped wand from his interior pocket and flings it to the side. Nothing happens, so he tries again. On the third try, silk flowers finally spring from the tip, though they don’t so much spring as flop.

Undeterred, he pushes right into his next trick. “You just never know what sort of fun surprises we might have in store! All sorts of things might pop up.”

He steps to the edge of the stage and pulls off his hat, then pushes his hand deep inside. When he pulls it out again, a few of the women let out a scream. Gary faints. Eve turns her head and blocks her eyes with her hand. Even I feel a little taken aback by the ghastly sight.

In his hand, Jim holds up a rabbit. A very limp rabbit. Its head flops forward as he takes a bow, and Cat starts dry heaving.

“I don’t think I much like this sort of magic trick,” Ice Pick says with a scowl. “It’s better when the rabbit ain’t dead, Jim.”