Page 81 of The Pact
“Rationally?” he laughs humorlessly. “What I’m thinking right now is anything but rational.”
“I know, that’s why we just need to take a breather.”
“What I want to do is march my ass over to the Harts’ and ask them what the fuck they’re thinking,” he says, looking at me. “These kids have gone through enough the last few weeks, and they want to prolong the misery?”
“I understand. I’m angry on your behalf—and for the kids’, to be honest.”
He covers his face with his hands and presses into his eyes with his palms. “FUCK!”
I reach out and put my hand on his leg. “I think we should talk to my family’s attorneys to see what other options you have. Or any advice they might have to expedite the process.”
He stares straight ahead. “I’ll think about it.”
It’s not a no.
“I just …” He exhales slowly. “I need to wrap my head around this. In my mind, we were moving forward, and this blows that plan to hell.”
“I know, but you can’t look at it that way. They love the kids too. It’s an extremely emotionally charged time for everyone.” I rub my hand on his leg. “We’ll get it figured out.”
The rest of the drive is quiet because there’s nothing left to say right now.
When we get back to Savannah and Chris’s house, the shift in energy is off.
Saint stands in the living room, looking around. Taking it all in.
“This place,” he says quietly.
I move to stand next to him.
“This is their home,” he continues. “Where they were both brought home from the hospital.”
I nod in understanding.
“I know the will says the house should be sold,” he says. “And the assets should be put into a trust for the kids.”
“Yeah.” I’m very familiar with trusts.
He exhales.
“I just don’t feel right about it, Doc.”
“Why?”
“What if they want it someday?” he asks. “What if this matters to them later?”
I take hold of his arm and lean into him.
“They’re really young,” I say gently. “What they’ll remember most won’t be the house.”
He just stands there.
“The memories of their parents is what they’ll value most,” I add. “Not the physical structure.”
He runs a hand over his face.
“I mean, I could just buy it,” he says suddenly. “Keep it for them. I could still put the proceeds in a trust for them, and keep the house.”
“You could,” I say. “But you’ll have to have it maintained and managed. It would tie you here long term.”
