Page 85 of The Cannon
“Me too. But what am I going to do for a career?”
Her expression says a thousand words. Most of them telling me to be grateful that work is my worst problem.
“Don’t worry about that now. We’ll put our heads together and find you a great fit. You’ve got plenty of money to take your time deciding,” Brick says.
“Let’s not think about it today,” Bristol adds. “Jude’s in the waiting room. He’s been here with Mom and Dad. They made sure he’d be watched over and told your status. Want me to bring people in?”
“Let Jude come in first. I want to have a private conversation.”
“Okay. We’re going to the cafeteria. I’ll send him in,” Atticus says. Brick follows him to the door.
“Happy for the great news, Sawyer,” he says.
As they head out, Bristol starts to follow.
“Where you going?” I say.
She turns back. “I thought you wanted to be alone with him.”
“No, baby. I want us three to have private time. You and I have got so much to talk about. Figure out. Important things.”
“No need to worry anymore. I know we’re going to get there. In fact I’ve been…”
Her half-finished statement was just about to get interesting when Jude peeks into the room.
“Hi,” he says softly. Shyly.
“Come in,” I say waving him over.
Bristol rises. “Grab that other chair and pull it up here,” she says pointing to the side of my hospital bed.
He does as requested while chewing on his bottom lip. Looks like he’s going to puncture a hole in it.
“Hey man,” I say extending my hand to him.” I wanted to thank you for saving my life.”
Now his lips are pressed together, holding back a smile. But he takes my hand and I squeeze it.
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Yes, you did. If I hadn’t been chasing you I’d never had been hit by the car. And I never would have landed in the hospital. If they hadn’t found this tumor it would have been another ending to my story.”
Bristol puts an arm around his shoulders and brings him in close.
“How you doing? We’ve been thinking of you a lot.”
Sitting in the chair he lets go a deep sigh.
“They’re sending me back. My foster dad’s really sick now and they can’t take care of me.”
Fuck. My heart just broke. But I can’t let him know what I’m thinking. I have to discuss it with Bristol first. In depth.
“Okay, so at least you know how much they liked having you in their family. You didn’t do anything wrong, Jude. Sometimes life just kicks us in the butt.”
His nod is the only response.
Chapter 22
Bristol
