Page 12 of Galen's Redemption
Robertreached out and took Noel’s hand. “You wanted to help, and I get that. In fact, you have no idea how grateful I am that you thought of us in the first place.” He drank a bit more of his tea. “Now, drink up. I have to get dinner started in a few minutes. If you know of anyone who has a couple hours they could use to help out an old friend, I think he might appreciate it.”
Noel smiled at him. “Ihave time.”
He cast a grateful smile at Noel, wondering if he had any idea how much having him as a friend meant to Robert.
“I’ve finished my shower, Mr. Noel.”
When Billy stepped back into the kitchen, he looked a lot better. His hair was no longer greasy. The smudges that he’d had on his cheeks were gone, and in their place was the bright pink glow of someone who had scrubbed himself reallywell. He looked like a completely different person.
“Okay. Feel better?”
“Yes, sir.”
Noel chuckled. “You don’t have to call me sir. I’m not that much older than you.”
Billy’s cheeks reddened a bit more.
“Go on and take that food to your mom. Make sure she eats! If she refuses to come to get some help from the shelter, let Robert know and he’ll call me. Then we’ll both go talk to her, okay?”He pinned him with a stare. “And there’s enough for you to have some too. I don’t want you not eating because you think she needs it more, okay?”
“Yes, si—yes, Noel.”
Billy raced out the door, and Robert’s heart broke, just as it did each time one of his people went back out onto the streets. He wanted safety, security—a home for each of them. He knew the shelter was just a stopgap measure,and that hurt. But this was his chosen path in life.
He just wished life would get better for all of them.
“What’s on your mind?”
He glanced over at Noel. Being with Lincoln had been good for him. He seemed happier, more confident. “Just thinking.”
“Yes, well, I’ve been thinking too. I’m doing dinner tonight.”
“You’re what?”
He grinned. “I’m going to handle feeding the troops this evening.”
Robert blinked at him. “And what will I be doing?”
“You, my good man, will be going out and having a free night all to yourself.”
Robert held up his hands. “Oh, I couldn’t. I have too much work to do.”
“And it will still be there in the morning.” Noel moved closer and put a hand on Robert’s arm. “You need time for yourself. Even if it’s just a few hours. If there’s one thing I’m learning fromLincoln, it’s that you have to find time for you or there won’t be enough left to give to anyone else.”
It sounded good, but Robert hadn’t been out in almost two decades. He wouldn’t know what to do, how to dress, or anything. “I’m a little old for clubbing.”
“You’re not talking your way out of this one. Go to a nice, quiet place. Meet some people.” Noel gave that cheeky monkey grin. “Hell,you might even get laid.”
“On Sunday? Yeah, no. Besides, I don’t do casual sex.”
“Didn’t think so. But go on and spend a quiet night all to yourself. Okay?”
Robert bit his lip. How many other opportunities would he have like this? And Noel knew the system inside and out. Every fiber of Robert’s being wanted to get out and do something.Anything.
“Okay, I’ll do it.”
“BUT, GALE….Whywon’t you go out tonight?”
It was the fifth time Andy had asked the question, and no answer Galen gave him seemed to be working.
