“It’s just….” Katie’s voice trailed off.
“You don’t like leaving Gene behind?”
Katie shrugged, then nodded. “He almost died helping us. It doesn’t seem fair to go on without him.”
Bart turned to face her. “Life is rarely fair, Katie. If you stay on this bus, you’d better be prepared to learn that—often the hard way. If you don’t think you can handle it, there’s still time to get off.”
He hated being so blunt, but this was a crucial moment in her life.
Katie’s unflinching gaze held him for a dozen heartbeats. “My mom died for no good reason.” She looked around to make sure they were alone, then added, “Torn apart by that creature. Was that fair? My dad killed himself, leaving me behind to wonder why he wanted death more than me. Was that fair?” She settled back into her seat. “Don’t talk to me about fair. I’ll handle anything you throw at me.”
Bart smiled. “I had to be sure.”
Katie’s shoulders slumped. “Sorry. Guess I’m still a little on edge.”
Settling into his seat, Bart said, “Aren’t we all.”
The End
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Forever Man Page 35