Page 97 of Galen's Redemption
“Fine, but you’re coming for Christmas. Katy and Meg are having a party, and I want you there.”
“Okay, Christmas I’ll do. I won’t stay all night, but I’ll make an appearance. Is that good enough?”
Noel walkedaround, trying to catch a peek of Robert’s face, but Robert kept moving away. “I will find out, you know. You were never good at keeping secrets.”
“Yes, well, I’ve gotten better with age.” Robert turned toward Noel. “Seriously, please drop it. I want to share, but right now I can’t. You have to trust me, okay?”
Noel held up his hands in surrender. “Okay. I’m sorry. I just…. It’s good to seeyou happy.”
“It’s good to be happy.” Because now he knew what he was missing, and he didn’t want to lose Galen. Or his friendship with Noel and Lincoln. He slipped into his heavy coat and grabbed a hat from the shelf.
Noel reached out and put a hand on Robert’s shoulder. “I hope one day you can tell us and we can meet him. I’d like to know the guy who makes you smile.”
God, Robert wanted thattoo. He wished like hell he could have Noel, Lincoln, and Galen together in the diner, the four of them sitting around, having ice cream, telling jokes, laughing. But Galen was still hesitant. He continued to imagine the worst-case scenario, and it scared the hell out of him.
“Maybe one day. Anyway, I have to go.”
Noel tugged Robert into a hug. “Well, tell this mystery guy thank you for me,will you?”
Robert returned the embrace. “I will.” They pulled away, and Robert peered at Noel. “Thank you for doing this. I know it’s not easy for you.”
Noel shrugged. “Lincoln encouraged me. He said if it makes me happy, it makes him happy. He’s changed my schedule a bit, so Katy’s covering later on Monday, which means I can stay most of the night.”
A pang of guilt surged through Robert. IfGalen would come to terms with the situation, Noel wouldn’t have to come in. Then again, if things didn’t go as Robert expected, how could he possibly make a choice between the man he thought of as a son and the one he’d come to love?
“I should go. Thanks again.”
Noel chuckled. “You don’t have to keep thanking me. I know you appreciate it. Believe me, no matter what I do for you, it’s alwaysgoing to be less than what I owe you.”
“You owe me nothing, so get that out of your head.” Robert started out the door, but then he had another thought. “Actually, one day, hopefully soon, would you keep that in mind? I might have to ask you for something big.”
“Anything, but you know that already.”
He did, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to be nervous about it. “See you later.”
“Havea good night. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”
Robert grinned. “You might have to make out a list for reference.”
“Ooh, you naughty, naughty boy.” Noel gave him a wink. “Have a good night.”
“Thanks. I have my phone if you need me.”
Robert stepped outside and drew the jacket around himself before he headed for his car. It was already chilly for November, and he had a ways to walk, but he didn’tmind. He’d always loved the winter, even with as much snow as Milwaukee got. There was an almost magical quality to the city. The people were more generous, and the shelter got more donations in the period between November and January than they took in most of the remainder of the year. Of course, the downside to that was there were a lot more people joining the ranks of those in need.
Still,the new year was coming, and with it came limitless chances for change. Maybe 2019 would be the year that the government got their heads out of their asses and addressed the homeless situation. Maybe a coalition would come together to solve the problems for all the people who Galen and Robert cared for. Maybe…. He sighed. Maybe blue monkeys would fly out of his butt. No one—fromanypoliticalparty—had the first idea how to help. They were all bogged down in how best to get votes or suck up as much money as they could to line their own pockets, at which point they’d “retire to spend more time with their families.” And meanwhile the problem continued to worsen with every year.
He sighed again as he went to his car. It would do no good to get to Galen’s in a funk. Their time togetherwas short and precious. Robert didn’t want anything to intrude on it. He needed to compartmentalize the anger that swept through him when the feelings of inadequacy warred with the logic of what one person could accomplish.
He got in and closed the door. Once he had the key in the ignition, he cranked the heat. The warmth felt good on his face and brightened his mood somewhat. While the car warmedup, he took out his phone and called Galen.
“Oh my God, Robert! You’re not going to believe it. It’s…. Shit, it’s incredible.”
“Hi, Galen. Nice to talk to you, too, Galen. I’m fine. Thank you for asking.”
“Oh, sorry. It’s just—”
“Incredible.”
