Page 95 of Back in the Saddle

I pulled up the number and hit go on Katelyn.

“Oh my God, I’m so glad you phoned,” Katelyn said by way of greeting.

“My brother joined a gang,” I replied dully.

“Wait. Did Jeff get hold of you?” she asked.

Confirmation.

“No. I’m friends with some PIs,” I told her.

“Oh,” was her only reply.

“Jeff isn’t answering his phone,” I noted.

“Jeff has a new phone,” she told me.

Out with the old, in with the new, I guessed.

“Can you give me that number?” I requested.

“I can’t, because I don’t know it. Only Joshua has it, and he won’t give it to me. He also didn’t lie to you yesterday, Jess. We don’t know where Jeff is. But we do know he’s doing okay. I mean, this group that he’s in, it’s not a gang. They’re good people. They look out for each other. They look out for him.”

“Is he undercover in some criminal organization?”

“What? No! Or, I don’t think so. Why would you ask that? Is that…is that what these people do?”

I didn’t answer her question.

I said, “Please reiterate to Joshua what I asked him yesterday, and that is, to contact Jeff and tell him I need to speak to him.”

“I’ve seen him, Jess, and I wouldn’t lie. You know me. I wouldn’t lie. And I honestly can say, whoever these people are, he’s the best he’s ever been with them. He seems bright. Clear-headed.”

“Of course he is. He has a purpose.”

“He does seem to have that,” Katelyn mumbled.

“Please, Kat, just ask Joshua to ask Jeff to call.”

“I will, Jess. But you’re worrying me. You don’t sound good.”

Because my schizophrenic brother is being seen to by street vigilantes! Of course I don’t sound good!

“I’m fine. Just still worried. I don’t know these people.”

“I’m overseeing his medications, if that helps. And they got him into some cognitive and behavior therapy. He does one or the other on alternating weeks.”

Fabulous.

Street vigilantes with therapeutic connections.

I wondered what kind of doctors enrolled in their plans.

“It really seems to be helping,” she continued.

“Right.”

“I don’t mean for you to take this wrong. I know you’re worried. I know it was on you for a long time to look after him. But he’s a grown man now, Jess. And he’s found a way to take care of himself. I can tell his confidence has boosted. I wish Joshua had told you all of this yesterday so you didn’t have to worry. But like I said, he’s the best I’ve ever seen him. And I think part of it is that he doesn’t have to depend on you, or anyone. Not anymore.”

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