Page 149 of Break Point
“If it means he’ll get a real shot at healing and starting over, then yes. I’m fine with it.”
“It’s gonna cost a lot of money,” he says again.
I know!
But I don’t care. Not when it’s Henry’s future we’re talking about. Not when his dreams are on the line.
“You always say we should save our money for a rainy day,” I remind him. “And right now, it’s pouring.”
Dad shuts his eyes and takes a deep breath. He stares up and down at me, shaking his head. He knows this is the right thing. I’ve convinced him. He just has to let it sink in.
“Go ahead, then,” he says, waving a haphazard hand in front of him. “Pero todo va a salir de tu cuenta. Para que aprendas a valorar lo que cuestan las cosas.”?3
I squeal. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”
I leap up and hook my arms around his neck. He easily catches me and lifts me off the floor like he used to after my junior matches, back when the stakes were low but the wins still felt enormous.
“You’re not mad?” I ask as he puts me down. “Drew said you’d go ballistic if you knew about us.”
“Drewknewabout you?” He exclaims. “And he didn’t tell me?”
I scratch my head.
Shit.
“No, he didn’t, actually.” It’s the truth. “At least not when he said that.”
I’m only making it worse.
“And he does now?”
“You know how nosy he is.” I give him an exaggerated grin.
“Drew’s going to be the death of me,” Dad says, rolling his eyes. “But he is as cunning as he is nosy.”
“That he is,” I say, crossing my arms and bringing my fist to my mouth as I contemplate a crazy idea that’s just popped into my head. “And I have the perfect assignment for him.”
As soon as I convince Henry to agree to the surgery.
Because I will … I have to.
1 “He damn well better.” (Or more literally:“He better, that bastard.”)
2 “Well of course, I made it way too easy for you.
3 But it’s all coming out of your bank account so you learn to appreciate the value of things.
CHAPTER 33
SPONSORS STACKED LIKE PANCAKES
APRIL 25, 2011
I RUSHto the hospital as soon as I finish packing. Dad, Tim, and I fly to Madrid tomorrow, but today is for Henry. There are a few things I need to do for him before we leave. Drew had better call me with good news regarding the assignment slash challenge I gave him last night.
Henry’s surgery was over almost two hours ago, and I want to be there when he is transferred to his room.
I still can’t believe he agreed to get his shoulder fixed. Still can’t believe he’s finally giving himself some grace and is finally done punishing himself for things that were never his fault.
