Page 82 of Destiny Reclaimed

“Dad?...Dad,” his son’s voice echoed softly.

Using every bit of strength he could muster, he lifted his eyelids and focused on his boy.

He swallowed a couple of times and ran his sandpaper-like tongue around his dry mouth. “It’s okay. I’m ready. I’ve lived a good life. Son, I love you. You are a good man.”

Blake’s eyes watered. “I love you, too.”

Jack drew in a shallow, labored breath. “Just one more thing...”

His mouth went bone dry, making it even more difficult to speak. His vision blurred. The hint of alcohol he’d been smelling for the past couple of weeks diminished. The warmth and comforting feel of his son’s hands around his disappeared, and his flesh went cold. The sound coming out of his mouth was a garbled mess, then it faded away. He hoped the gibberish was only to his ears and that his son understood what he’d told him about his role as a Preserver, and that he hadn’t completely failed him. His thoughts scrambled.

For a brief moment, a tinge of fear of the unknown distressed him. His flesh stayed cold, but warmth, comfort, and peace filled his soul.

***