Page 117 of The Two Last Moments

Nina had no clue then what was really going on, but it was her quick thinking that led to an APB going out. Highway patrol picked up Starla on the outskirts of town. She had the cash and jewelry she’d stolen over the course of many weeks from Nina, plus the info for an overseas account where she’d transferred a huge chunk of Nina’s living trust.

Now, she’s in jail like Zander, set to be arraigned in the next day or two. Quinn has been keeping us updated, and the case is being handled by District Attorney Lana Marchetti herself. Multiple counts of attempted murder for both of them, false imprisonment, arson, theft, computer fraud… I lost track of how many crimes those two are being charged with. Plus the murder of Kathy Sullivan, whose body was just found yesterday near Fresno.

Starla and Zander won’t be seeing the outside of a prison for a long time, if ever.

While we were in the hospital, Lark told me and a West Oaks PD detective everything she now remembers about her life. Her damaged vocal cords kept getting tired, and she had to write some of it out instead. But she refused to stop until every last detail was out in the open.

She explained that she didn’t tell Travis about her “Mother” because she was so ashamed. Though Lark had tried to run and fight back against her tormentor, she often complied as well, and it was too difficult for her to share those dark secrets even with someone she trusted. But when she told me and the detective, she kept her chin up and her eyes clear. It still hurt to tell the story, but there wasn’t an ounce of shame anymore.

I’m so proud of her. Damn proud to call her mine.

“I can’t wait to see Nina,” Lark says, and Travis grins, rubbing her arm.

“Then let’s go.”

We follow Travis inside. There’s a faint smell of charred wood. Matteo told me the garage is a mess, and it’s blocked off from the rest of the house. I don’t even want to think about the damage to the ’71 Charger. But I guess that’ll be a project for Lark, Travis, and me. Not to restore it to some imagined moment in the past, because that’s not possible. But we’ll build it into something new. Something better.Together.

In fact, I already have some ideas for that car for when it’s finished.

Nina and Matteo look up from her iPad when we walk in. “Thank God you’re here,” Matteo says. “The Scrabble slaughter can end.”

“We didn’t finish our game yet,” Nina complains.

“You just want to run up the score against me.” Matteo comes over and gives us both hugs. “Welcome home, but I’m gonna run. I’m supposed to go to a birthing class with Angela in fifteen minutes, and I don’t want to know what she’ll do to me if I’m late.” He gives Nina a kiss on the cheek and dashes off.

I pull over an upholstered chair for Lark to sit down. But Nina’s frowning. “Well,thatgreeting was half-assed. I’m still waiting for my hug.”

She opens her arms, and Lark jumps up into her embrace. They hold on to each other fiercely, Lark hiding her face against Nina’s shoulder, though I can tell she’s trying not to put too much of her weight, small as it is, on Nina’s frail frame.

Lark’s shoulders are shaking. “I’m so sorry. If I’d known earlier…”

“It’s all right,” Nina murmurs. “It’s all right. It’s over, and you’re home.”

Nina and Lark hold one another for a long time, a silent understanding passing between them. The two people I love most in the entire world. Their spirits are so strong and vibrant that it shines out of them. Filling me with pride and gratitude.

Travis looks on, eyes filling with tears. He grabs me and hugs me to his side. “I love you, Danny. I’m so glad I’m here with you. You don’t know what it means to me.”

“Me too, Uncle Travis,” I whisper. “Me too.”

I don’t know what exactly is ahead for our family. How much longer the four of us will have together like this. Nina’s getting weaker every day, and I’m finally admitting to myself that there isn’t going to be a miracle. Cancer is one fight that we aren’t going to find our way out of.

But I intend to make every last moment count, and I know Lark will be right there with me. Through the soaring highs and the devastating lows. We’ll make it to the other side together.

Epilogue

Eight Months Later

We’re driving along an unpaved road, trees hemming us in on either side. The SUV Danny rented shakes with every rock and divot.

“Almost there,” he promises, grinning like a little kid, he’s so excited. “You’re going to love it.”

“I know I am,” I say. But mostly I just love seeing him so happy. Especially after what the last few months have been like.

The trees open up, and Danny pulls the SUV up to a small cabin. It’s simple and rustic, just how he described it when he told me about this trip. We are totally off the grid here. No electricity or plumbing. We’ve been tent camping a few times together already, but Danny was excited to find this rental, which is on private land and completely secluded for miles around.

And the sky is wide open above us. When it’s night, the view of the stars promises to be breathtaking.

Our own little piece of heaven.

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