Second Chances(88)

"My God. You look just like her. H..how..."

Nathan reached out and grabbed the man as his legs began to buckle again.

"It's not possible," Daniel said, turning to Nathan for confirmation. "It is just not possible."

The sound of Jenny's laughter could be heard from above.

"Maybe we better step outside to discuss this," Nathan said. Without waiting to see if he agreed, he pulled Daniel along with him until they were outside. He helped him into one of the chairs on the porch, the man's eyes never left her. Paige wouldn't meet his gaze.

"It can't be."

"Mr. Perry." Nathan said, then stopped. He leaned back against the porch railing. "I honestly have no clue where to start. You obviously know Paige."

For the first time, Daniel turned his gaze to Nathan.

"I knew Paige. There is no way in hell that she is Paige. That is simply impossible."

"Why?" Paige asked.

He turned back to Paige, tears running down his face.

"Because I buried her. I don't know what kind of sick joke this is, but..."

"This is no joke Mr. Perry," Nathan said.

"No? No? It's been what, sixteen plus years? There is no way, she is Paige."

"I know it doesn't make any sense, but..."

Daniel launched himself up from the chair, grabbed Nathan by the front of the shirt and shoved him back into the porch railing, nearly lifting him off his feet.

"Make any sense? What the hell is wrong with you? Why would you do this? Why would anyone do this to someone?" He shoved a little further, Nathan teetered on the porch railing.

"Daniel no," Paige said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

He shook her hand off and released Nathan, who crashed down on the porch.

"Don't touch me. Don't you touch me."

"Please, Daniel. I am just looking for some answers."

The man looked from Paige to Nathan, his eyes wild and red with tears.

"Why are you doing this to me?"

"Mr. Perry, we aren't trying to do anything to you, honest. My name is Nathan King and that is P..."

"No. She is not Paige, she can't be Paige Kendall."

"I know that seems unlikely and if you'd listen..."

"Unlikely? Unlikely? No, it's flat out impossible. She can not be Paige Kendall. I was with her day and night until she died. I don't know why you would or what you think you can get out of me by doing this."

"Wait, Mr. Perry you don't understand this is Paige's sister," Nathan said, deciding to try anything to calm the man down.

"Bullshit. Paige was an only child. Her father always regretted that."

"You knew my father?"

"Would you stop that, I don't believe you. I don't know who the hell your father is, but I knew Paige's father."

"You knew Paige's father?"

"Of course, he was almost my father-in-law. Man you two didn't do your homework. I don't know what the heck you expect to get out of this, but whatever con you are running I am not buying it."

"We aren't running any con, Daniel."

"Stop talking to me as if you know me."

Paige realized that he was using the same words she had said to Nathan only a couple of days ago.

"But I do. I remember our time together at school." Her voice had taken on a surprisingly excited tone.

"Oh you do? Yeah that's a good one. You do realize I haven't been in school for nearly two decades. You on the other hand..."

"I can't explain that."

Nathan watched on, he wanted to help, but had no clue just what he could do or say.

Paige was quiet, her lower lip trembling slightly and she had a far away look in her eyes. "I remember," she whispered and then a sad smile formed on his lips. "I do...my God, I really do remember."

"Paige?" Nathan asked.

"You were my first real boyfriend, Daniel."

He shook his head, dismissing her.

"Do you remember the week I told my dad I was going to Florida for spring break and instead we went to that little bed and breakfast in Vermont. That...that was my first time."

He looked at her, his face a mask of confusion.

"How...how do you know about that? Only three people knew about that. Paige, me and Lindsey."

"Who is Lindsey?"

"Paige's best friend at college."

"My best friend was named Linda."

The anger seemed to drain out of Daniel. He sat back down in the chair, his eyes tracing every inch of Paige's face.

"You look so much like her."

"She is her," Nathan said.

"No, that is not possible."

"Believe me I know exactly how you feel."

"No, you can't. I was with Paige until she died. I was with her day and night. It was agony watching both her and her father."