Page 40 of The House on Haven Way

Months of trials, maybe, or interviews. Forensics, maybe.

Months that I could keep him here, because I know he said he’d stay if I didn’t want him to leave, but I’m not that selfish. I can’t take him from his parents, his brothers, and all the buddies he probably lost in the war.

Manny leaves.

Johnny turns. “How’s about that? You know... Good for them. Good for Harry and Nancy, damn it. I never loved her, just like Harry said, and she never loved me, either. Without me in the mix, though, those two good kids never woulda found each other,” he smiles at me with a crooked grin, “and I would never have found you, baby.”

“Johnny, I love you. A-and how you handle things shows me that you’re the kind of man I want in my life. Graceful, flexible, loving, and giving—and you’re still that tough bad boy from Brooklyn. You don’t even need that certificate, do you? You know?”

He nods. “I know enough. I believe. I believe in Harry. And Nancy. And good people like you and Manny. I’m at peace, sweetheart.”

The moment he says it, the softest, purest golden light opens up behind him.

The light—the light that you walk into when you leave this world. The door Johnny’s been waiting for this entire time, decades’ worth of time.

I run to him and throw my arms around his neck, hugging him as tight as I can, until he feels truly, really human against me for a moment.

His kiss tastes different. Feels different.

“You can go,” I whisper. “I love you enough—to want you to be happy, kid.” I smile through my tears, giving him a little push before I can change my mind. “Go.”

Johnny slowly releases me. “Nah, Amber. I don’t want to leave. Not right now.”

The golden circle behind him is closing. Fading. What does that mean?

“Johnny, go!” I urge, shoving him again. “This might be your only chance.”

“Yeah? Well, you’re my only girl. The only one I’ve ever really loved. How’s about I—”

I don’t know what possesses me. Maybe it’s the sweet way he’s looking at me, not even turning behind him. Not even looking at the escape route he’s been searching for seventy years. Sacrificing it all for a girl he’s known for weeks. Me.

“I love you. I love you more than you know,” I gasp, kissing him hard—and shove him into the light with all of my might.

It’s the kind of act that makes you realize just how incredible your woman is.

She’d break her heart to save mine. The first second that I’m completely in the light scares the shit out of me, not because I’m afraid of where I’m being sent, but because I don’t know if I can get back to Amber.

“Easy does it. You’re okay, Johnny.”

“Harry Rogers!” I cry, whirling.

Harry Rogers gained a spare tire but kept his hair, a gorgeous silver-blonde mane.

“Do you know how confused I’ve been?” He sticks out his hand and pumps mine.

“You! What about me?”

“What about you?” he cries. “I thought you’d be up here waiting for me, and instead, when I get here, you’re nowhere to be found.”

“Where exactly is here?” I ask, very worried that I’m in Heaven-Capital-H, which I don’t think I can get out of.

“Well, if you keep walking with me, we’ll get to the Gates.”

“Sorry, bud. I can’t. I’ve gotta go back.”

“Go back? Where’ve you been?”

“On Earth. In my house. Hey, real quick, I gotta ask—you didn’t poison me, did you?”