Chapter 53

“He is Renny, then. You are finally admitting that?”

“No. He is Liam, Frank.”

“And here we go again.”

Vaughn wiped his forehead, perspiring from nothing but stress on a very cool day. His next statement floored Frank. “He is an amalgamation of several beings. That Watson boy is one of them. The girl is another.”

Frank literally staggered backwards. “Melissa?”

“Yes. I am done with lies. No one tires me as you do.”

“I’m sorry.” Frank could hardly believe he was the one apologizing.

“Some scientists truly believe emotion comes from the heart. Does not one feel it there? When you are sad, frightened, excited, in love, does it not tighten, beat faster, skip, and sometimes literally ache?”

“It’s happening right now.”

“You asked for the truth again and again. Does it help?” The rear of the pickup sagged as Vaughn sat down hard on the tailgate again, as if it were suddenly exhausted too.

“Are you okay?” Frank stepped up close.

“Yes. Are you?”