Page 50 of Burning Escape

Orion gripped the phone. “I didn’t want any favors. I needed to know that I didn’t make the team because of who my parents are or who my grandfather was.”

And maybe also, come to think of it, because if he failed, he wouldn’t have to face the disappointment in his mother’s eyes again. And now his father’s too.

And yet word had still gotten back to them, thanks to Jade.

Apparently, Alaska wasn’t far enough.

“What are you trying to prove, Orion?” Charlie’s voice came through strong, steady. The question probed at the dark places inside though.

But his dad had only come into his life last year. He hadn’t been there. He didn’t understand.

“Mom sacrificed everything to raise me. Her own mother kicked her out of the house because of me. Now it’s time for me to do this. To show Mom that—” He couldn’t finish the sentence.

“That it wasn’t a waste?”

How did he do that? Read his mind even though they’d only met a year ago.

“Maybe.” Orion kicked at a pebble. “I have a legacy to live up to. Grandpa Jack. Mom. You. I want my life to mean something.”

“I get that. But the legacy that is most worth achieving is a life surrendered to God. It’s not all up to you. And it doesn’t mean you have to push everyone else away to do that. Come on, kid. You barely escaped a plane crash and didn’t tell us? Is there anything else that happened?”

Orion pushed the hair off his forehead and grabbed his neck. “I…may have injured my shoulder and hit my head pretty good while we were running away from the militia, but that was a couple weeks ago.”

“I see.” Charlie paused. “But…you’re okay now? The jumps are going okay?”

“I’m not jumping right now.”

“Why not?”

So he was going to make him spill the whole humiliating story? Fine. “Tori—my partner—and I were separated from the group when we jumped. We were stuck on this commune for a couple days, and now we’re back. But Tori has a stalker. Someone tried to abduct her, and in fighting him off, I reinjured my shoulder. I’m grounded. So…Mom’s probably glad about that.”

“Glad? Not hardly! Don’t you get it? We’re here for you. Praying for you every day. Why wouldn’t you tell us what you’re going through?”

Orion winced. “I don’t want you to worry. I’ve got this. Sure, it sucks to be grounded, but I’m fine.”

“We know it’s a dangerous job, but that’s why there’s a team. It’s not a solo gig. And as your family, we’re part of your team too. You guys taught me that last year. I was ready to face my kidney disease alone, thinking Alexa, and then your mom and you and everyone on God’s green earth, was better off without me. But there is strength in relying on others. And here I am in remission. Because you guys wouldn’t let me do this alone. So I’m gonna push back. You don’t have to do this alone either, Ry.”

Didn’t he? Wasn’t that part of being a man and standing on his own two feet? But it was nice to know Charlie cared. That his mom and sister were there for him too. “I’ll try to do better at keeping you in the loop. Jade is going to run me through some drills, and if I pass them, I’ll be back on the crew. But you’re not gonna fly out here with a cheer section or anything, are you?”

“No promises. I’m sure I can find a set of pom-poms and a flight to Anchorage in a pinch.”

Orion cracked a smile. “As long as I don’t have to see you in a skirt.”

“Deal.” Charlie paused. “So, you mentioned your partner. Tori? Is she okay? What’s going on with this stalker business?”

“She’s strong, good. Even better than she was before, since she’s come to faith through the whole situation. But this creep is still out there, and there’s a lot going on. I’m doing everything I can to protect her.”

“And is there anything…more to this relationship with Tori? She sounds like a special woman.”

“She is. And I guess the short answer is…I’m not sure. I like her. A lot. We were rivals for a bit, but I dunno. Things have shifted.”

“A believer. A strong woman. And she doesn’t mind your company? Sounds like something to pray about.”

“Sure. Add it to the list.”

“I will. But I better let you go. Before I do, I think your mom would appreciate a call. I’ll leave it at that. She’s out with the wilderness kids on an overnight though.”

“Tell her I’ll call her tomorrow.” Orion sighed. “Thanks, Dad.”

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