Page 116 of The Restoration Program

“Silver Creek?” Burman asked conversationally.

“King’s Crest Park.”

Murmurs of appreciation trickled through the present locals. Even Nicole could envy what a beautiful outing it must have been. She recalled browsing the state park website as she and Ryan debated the move, gushing over the images of lush forests and a crystal-clear spring that split into two separate streams for recreation.

Rebecca cleared her throat delicately. “How did you… Um, did you just, like, have Ellis tucked in your life vest?”

“No. Well… Actually, yes. But only until we got our kayak rented!” Todd offered them a sheepish grin. “The park hasn’t, uh, officially cleared NüPrints for anything more exciting than sunbathing yet, so we had to sneak him in.”

“I didn’t hear that,” Burman sing-songed.

Ellis chuckled. “Don’t worry, Doc. We kept it low-key, no major laws broken. Won’t be smearing the Facility’s good name in the news anytime soon.”

Burman’s smile tightened. “It’d take more than a kayaking stowaway to leave a mark, I’m sure.”

“Anyway,” Ellis said. “Point is, it was great to reconnect. To nature, to the sport, to… to each other. I realized I had to trust him. Trustlife.” He had stopped looking at the group at some point, instead gazing up at Todd.

All around, words of support and admiration trickled through. Rebecca wiped her eyes, ever so careful not to smudge her winged eyeliner. Nicole heard Carlos murmur something to her, and he rolled his eyes when she only sniffled harder.

“Wonderful success story, Ellis. Thank you both for sharing.” Burman’s smile finally seemed to reach his eyes. He turned. “Nicole and Ryan. What do you have to share with us this week?”

Nicole craned her neck to exchange a brief look with Ryan, confirming what they’d decided in the car.Keep it light.

“Hard act to follow.” Ryan chuckled and shifted his gaze to the group, taking the lead.

“Everyone’s success looks different,” Burman reminded him.

Ours looks like a dumpster fire,Nicole thought.

“Right,” Ryan said. “Well, I guess my win this week is that I finally committed the layout of all the NüPrint ramps in our apartment to muscle memory. I’ve finally stopped ramming into that one staircase by our bed on my way out the door—the bruises are finally fading for good.”

Nicole reached back to rub his wrist. “He’s a baby when he so much as stubs his toe, so trust me… This is definitely a win for me too.”

This earned a few laughs around the room, Burman included. “A victory is a victory. I’m certainly glad to hear your morning routine will be less painful, Ryan.”

“You and me both, Doc.” Ryan’s dazzling smile was contagious, and apparently, enough to satisfy. Nicole whipped her hand back to her lap the moment Burman turned to move on.

A pause made the rhythm of the meeting stutter as Burman’s eyes skated over the spot where Holly and her parents used to occupy. Even after weeks of absence, Nicole still half-expected to see Holly waving her hand over her head for her turn. But Burman didn’t linger. He started to call Erik and Bethany, but they weren’t able to get a word in.

“Do you have any idea when Holly’s coming back?” Nicole blurted.

Blinking, Burman stared like he was choosing his words carefully. He cleared his throat and gave her a pleasant smile. “Holly and her parents have decided not to attend anymore. They felt it was no longer necessary, considering the focus on romantic relationships in this group.”

“So she’s in a different group?” Nicole asked hopefully. “With other teens? Or families?”

“They’re exploring their options. For now, the Program is supporting Holly and her family through private televisits. I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to disclose more than that.”

A lump formed in Nicole’s throat as she exchanged a look with Carlos. Holly’s miserable expression was all she could see. There was no way she’d had any say in the decision. Prying further would do no good—and Nicole could feel Ryan growing tense behind her as everyone stared in their direction.

“Will you tell her I—wesaid hi?” she murmured.

“Of course.” Burman nodded sympathetically.

Finally, Erik and Bethany had their turn. They shared a look, and he brushed her side gently with his thumb. “You go,” he said.

She smiled shyly and pushed out of her seat, then looked at the doctor with alarm. “Oh—sorry, can I stand? No one else stood, did they? Is that okay?”

A chuckle ran through the group, and Burman gestured for her to go on.