Page 101 of This Feeling

James and my father walked out, with my mother shoving past them to get to me. I practically ran into her open arms.

“Shhh, it’s okay, darling. Everything’s going to be okay.”

After hugging me tightly, my mom pushed me back at arm’s length and gave me a once-over before looking at Brystol. “Have you girls eaten?”

“No,” I weakly replied. “I couldn’t eat, even if Iwashungry.”

Mom looked at Brystol, who simply shook her head.

“Have you heard anything?” I asked James.

“No, no updates yet.”

“Are you okay?” Brystol asked. “You weren’t hurt or anything?”

James sat down in a seat, a far-off expression on his face. “I’m fine.”

“Would you like some coffee, James?” my mother asked.

Without looking at her, he replied, “No, thank you, ma’am.”

I looked at my father, who gave me a weak smile as he motioned for my mother to sit. Brystol started pacing again.

“Have you told your parents?” Mom asked James.

“Yes, but they’re in Florida.”

“Oh my gosh, has anyone told Sean, Maddie, or Matt?” I asked.

My father put his hand on my shoulder and gently pushed me into a chair next to James. “I called them,” he said, before sitting next to Mom.

I glanced around the waiting room. “Where are they?”

“On their way back from Albany.”

I screwed up my face. “Why were they in Albany?”

My father shrugged. “I didn’t ask.”

“Shouldn’t we have gotten an update by now?!” Brystol snapped as she stopped and looked at the nurses’ station. “They wouldn’t tell me or Harperanythingbecause we’re not related to them.”

Dad stood. “Brystol, sweetheart, sit down and stop pacing. You’re making me feel queasy.”

Brystol hugged my father, then did as he asked. She sat down next to me.

James whispered something, but I couldn’t hear what it was.

I turned to him. “What did you say?”

“He loves you.”

I looked at my mom. I was positive her concerned expression matched my own. Focusing back on James, I took his hand in mine. “James, did you have someone check you out? Make sure you’re okay?”

He smiled faintly. “I’m okay, Harp. I wasn’t where Gavin and Declan were. I’d just walked a few of the day-camp students down to the first floor and handed them off to a firefighter when the explosion happened. I ran back up and found Gavin trying to pull Declan toward the steps with one hand. There was so much smoke, and it was so hot.”

My mother sniffled.

“I don’t know what happened to Declan, but he was unconscious. There was a little girl in Gavin’s other arm, and he was coughing. I think one of the firefighters took her from Gavin. I knew he was okay because he was walking and coughing, so I focused on Declan. By the time we got outside, he…”

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