Page 104 of Private Exhibit
So why not now?Junior asked.Ask him for help now.
Andy winced.I can't.
Why not?When Andy didn't answer right away, Junior repeated insistently,Why not?
Because I couldn't save you, Andy blurted out.And I can't save him. I don't even deserve to have him. I failed you both.Andy slumped back on the bench and covered his eyes with one hand.
After a long moment, Junior said,Dad? I've been thinking.
What?Andy mumbled, not looking up.
What you said the other day. About me robbing you of your life. You were right.
What?Andy gasped. He sat up and turned to look straight at his son.No. Kid. No. I didn't mean that–
But it's true, Junior interrupted him.My existence did rob you of the life you always thought you were going to have. Because of me, everything changed.He held up a hand.And I know that's not my fault, but that's not the point.
Andy shook his head. Maybe he was more tired than he thought, because he couldn't make sense of what Junior was saying.What is the point?
The point is, Junior went on,you upended your entire world to try saving my life. You stopped living. You gave up everything and threw yourself entirely into medicine.Junior paused, shifting closer to him.Dad, look. It's too late for me. There's no going back at this point. But it's not too late for him.Or for you. You deserve to live your life now. You deserve to be happy. And if he makes you happy, then so be it.
Andy studied Junior's eyes.What are you saying?
I'm saying do whatever the fuck it takes to save him so you guys can go live happily ever after. Because I can't watch you go on like this.
Andy stared at him, completely at a loss for words.But there's nothing…
How do you know unless you ask him?Junior pointed out.Everybody needs help sometimes, right? Even the mighty Doctor Anderson Gerard, he added with a smirk.
Andy barked a laugh, then hauled Junior into a one-armed hug.I love you so much. You know that, right?
I know, Junior said, giving him a quick hug back before squirming free of his grasp.Now would you please go do something?
Andy surged halfway out of his seat and pressed a kiss to the top of Junior's head. “Thank you.” He shot to his feet and rushed back inside. Andy paused in the doorway to Devon's room just long enough to make sure the machines still registered signs of life, then he took off down the hallway, racing for the elevators.
He rode up to the third floor, ran past his old office, and turned the corner at the end of the hallway. Andy dashed right by a secretary's desk without slowing. He barely paused to knock on the door behind it, then let himself in.
Crawford sat behind his desk, blinking up at him in surprise. “Gerard?”
Andy stepped up behind one of the two chairs facing the desk. His legs almost gave out. He grabbed the back of the chair, bracing himself against it. Andy had to take several harsh, deep breaths, his heart racing almost out of control.
A swell of emotion punched him right in the gut as he forced himself to swallow his pride and his guilt. He had to do this. He'd do whatever it took to save Devon.
Blinking back tears of exhaustion and desperation, Andy lifted his head and looked Crawford straight in the eyes.
“Please,” he choked out in a whisper, his entire body shaking. “Help him.”
Crawford's look of surprise faded away. He dropped a tablet he was holding, shoved back his chair, and got to his feet. “Tell me on the way.”
Andy almost collapsed with relief. Crawford grabbed him by the arm and steered him out of the office. It was all Andy could do to lead the way, trying to rattle off the necessary details as they went.
Crawford didn't say a word the whole time, his face annoyingly blank and unreadable.
“I'm sorry,” Andy suddenly blurted out.
“For what?”
“For…everything. For being such a dick. For blaming you for–”
