Page 32 of Heal
"They've never gone away. If it's not something my father is doing, it's something else. I'm used to them. It bothers me most when it's my personal life they are invading. Something like this, I welcome the attention. We'll just hope that's where the attention stays. I really don't want them finding out about my friendship with Faith. She had enough media attention when the kidnapping happened. She's got a somewhat stable life now. I don't want to bring attention to her again."
Parson respected Beau for looking out for his friends and the people he cared about. "I'll do what I can to help. If you need a diversion I can call a press conference or something to distract them. We'll make this work." He braced his arms on the table as he leaned forward. "Are you going to tell Lisa about being split up?"
Beau sighed. "I feel I need to. One thing I've learned from being around Faith is it's best to be upfront and honest about everything. These kids have had so little control over their lives in the past that giving them all the information and letting them make any choice they can is important right now. She's going to be upset, but I'll let her know we are trying to find a way so we can keep them together. She's got a lot to think about. I know there is no rush for her to decide what she is going to do with the baby, but I know it's weighing on her mind. I see her lost in thought more often, her hand pressed to her stomach. I also hear her talking in terms that hint she might choose to keep it. I'm careful not to influence her either way. This has to be a decision she makes on her own. No matter what I think, this is her future, her baby."
"You're good with these kids." Parson smiled.
Beau shook his head. "I've let it get personal with Lisa and Jeff. I'm not sure why. Krista and Chad came in that same night, but I didn't feel the connection with them that I do with Lisa and Jeff. I know better than to get attached, to let myself get too involved. I'm an emergency room doctor. I should have handed them off to someone else right away, but instead, I've stuck around. I let Lisa get attached to me and now I'm going to hurt her if I walk away. I know better than to let this happen."
"Does it happen often?" Parson asked.
"No, I'm usually good about separating things."
"Faith?" Parson wasn't sure if he was pushing things asking about her, but it seemed the same thing had happened with her.
"Faith was different. I'm friends with her fathers. She and I were always going to be around each other off and on. The fact that she is so determined to learn everything she can for medical school in the future is one of the reasons we got so close. I was willing to teach her, let her learn beside me."
"Her parents are okay with that?"
Beau laughed. "They're getting used to it. Matt's still not ready to let her stitch up a cut, but he's learning to let her do more. She helps out around the hospital, shadows me when patients will allow her to. The nurses love her and they all help teach her what they can. She's too young to do much yet, but the world better look out once she's older."
"You'll make a great father someday." Parson smiled.
"I'll just be everything my father wasn't and I should be okay." Beau rolled his eyes. "Guess I've learned from the best what not to do."
"You and me both." Parson grinned. "You know, it's nice to be able to talk to someone who can relate. In the past, most of my friends couldn't understand why I don't embrace the fame I could have through my parents. Why I refuse to flaunt the money. It's not something you can explain to someone who hasn't lived that life. It's so refreshing not having to explain myself to you."
Beau reached for another slice of pizza. "I like to think that it wouldn't be such a bad life if my father wasn't the way he was, but then I listen to you, and your dad is the opposite of my ultra-conservative old-school father and you're still miserable. Maybe it is the money that is the issue."
"I don't think so. I'd like to think that I'd still let my children have their own dreams, live their own lives. I don't need them to follow in my footsteps. I just want them to be secure in taking their own paths." Parson took a sip of water before continuing. "Money can do good. It's all in how you focus it. My parents think the money is what makes them who they are. It's not. Their egos make them who they are. The media feeds those egos. It's an endless cycle. If you don't feed into it, you don't get lost in it."
Beau lifted his glass toward Parson. "Here's to fucked up parents."
Parson laughed and tapped his own glass against Beau's. "Amen."
Beau rolled his shoulders. "I really should be going. I know you're tired, and I'm beat. I have to work at seven in the morning."
"Well, thank you for sharing my pizza, and the fantastic conversation." Parson hated to see Beau leave, but they were both tired. As much as he wanted to continue learning more about Beau, it would wait until another time. "I'll give you a call tomorrow and check in, let you know if I find anything new from those photos the kids picked out." He held up his hand as he saw Beau start to say something. "I promise I won't act on anything until we talk and both agree. You're right, I have to focus on the big picture and not just individual children. It might kill me, but I'd rather save them all than just one or two."
Beau nodded as he stood. "It'll be easier once we have all the pieces."
Parson agreed, but it still wasn't easy to wait. "I trust you."
Beau smiled as they walked to the front door. "That means a lot. Thanks for dinner tonight. When we talk tomorrow, we can work out more about the fundraising and figure out where we're going to go from here."
Parson stepped out on the front porch with Beau. "I'm looking forward to working with you."
Beau leaned closer to him. "Besides work, would you maybe be interested in going out with me on Friday night?"
Parson's pulse raced, pleased that Beau had asked. "I think I'd enjoy that."
Beau ginned. "I'll pick you up at six? Casual dress."
Parson wanted to know where they'd be going, but having Beau surprise him was a turn on. "I'll be ready."
"Night, Parson." Beau stepped off the porch.
"Good night, Beau. Drive safe." As he watched Beau get in his car and drive away, Parson wondered how he'd survive the wait until Friday. Hopefully, they'd see each other before then.
