- - - -

Jarod picked up his phone and answered it on the third ring. “Hello, Sydney,” he said.

Sydney chuckled. “How did you know it was me?”

“I figured you’d be calling soon or later when you realized the Warners were my special gift to the Centre. Speaking of which, are they having fun?”

“They’ve wreaked havoc on Lyle, Raines, Miss Parker, and Cox. As of now, they’re calling Parker they’re new ‘special friend.’”

Jarod smiled. “Good. I figure by the time they get done there, you guys will be out of my hair for a while.”

“Is that was this was about, Jarod? Keeping us distracted?”

“You’re the doctor, Syd,” Jarod replied. “You figure it out.” He hung up the phone and reached into his pocket. He pulled out the photograph of his mother and stared at it. After a few moments, there was a knock on his door. Jarod tucked the photograph back into his pocket, took a deep breath, and went to answer the door. He slowly opened the door and smiled, tears filling his eyes, as he looked at the person standing on the other side.

THE END