Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101163 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
“Maybe it should be a family discussion then.”
“And you?” I ask hesitantly because he’d offered before. For the first time ever, I want to take someone up on their offer of help.
“I will if you want me to.” Boone’s gaze locks onto mine, an intense stare that says he’s in this with us. “I’m the one who brought it up to your dad and I don’t mind lending my two cents.”
“He respects you. We talked about him showing up at the hospital drunk and he remembered the talk you had with him in his bedroom. It’s given him something to think about.”
“Then count me in,” Boone says easily. “I’ve got a morning practice tomorrow but I could do any time after.”
“Evening? I work until six.”
“Sure,” he says and we iron out details. While we munch on our sandwiches and chips, we discuss the best way to bring up the subject so Dad doesn’t feel like we’re ganging up on him and agree to all meet at the hospital at six thirty p.m.
When we’re done eating, my inclination is to get back to work. Payroll is calling but I can’t help but ask Boone, “Why do you do this?”
Boone arches an eyebrow. “You mean help you with your dad?”
“I’m curious to know more about that, of course, but I mean visiting kids in the hospital. Particularly the cancer ward. That’s kind of a tough way to give back to the community.”
A smile plays at Boone’s lips, which I can’t help but notice are full and soft looking surrounded by his beard. “My mom, Patty, is an occupational therapist and while I was in junior high and high school, she worked at the hospital with kids. Not just kids with cancer, but those who were inpatient for whatever reason. She got close to many of them and she’d talk about them at home. She’d be so happy when one got discharged and she’d be devastated if one died. I saw how important it was to her and I wanted to do something that honored her. She did so much for our family when my dad was battling his addiction and I wanted to show the same kindness that she did because it was always so important to her. She’s the strongest woman I know, although you’re kind of giving her a run for her money.”
I flush from the unexpected compliment. I’d been entranced by the beautiful way he chose to honor his mother with his free time, so much so that I wasn’t ready for him to call attention to my sacrifices.
It’s my nature to hide away from such a spotlight and I duck my head.
“I didn’t mean to embarrass you,” he says quietly, and my head snaps up to look at him. “I’m just in awe of everything you do for your family and at such a young age. I know it’s not easy.”
“Honestly, it’s all I’ve ever known,” I admit with a mirthless smile. “After my mom died when I was twelve, I became Aiden’s mother. When he got cancer, I was fifteen and my dad fell apart so I became father, mother and breadwinner. I’m twenty-two now and I’m father, mother, breadwinner and business owner since my dad’s not consistently able to help out with the deli.”
“You’re amazing,” Boone says. I want to turn away from his scrutiny but his gaze holds me in place. “I’m going to move you into first place as the strongest woman I know. But you can’t devote your entire life to others and not have something for yourself. What do you do for fun or relaxation?”
My eyebrows draw inward as I try to think of something to tell him so I don’t seem totally lame. I come up empty though. “I don’t have time.”
Boone’s eyes flash with something I can’t quite identify. A combination of ire and empathy that swirls, then turns into determination. “We’re going to have to change that.”
CHAPTER 5
Boone
After donning my paper gown, mask and gloves, I knock on Aiden’s door. I hear his voice call out, “Come in.”
I find him lying in bed watching TV. His smile lights big when he sees me.
“Boone,” he exclaims, grabbing the remote to mute the volume. He pushes himself into a sitting position. “You came.”
“Of course I came,” I admonish, moving to his bed for a quick fist bump. Aiden texted me earlier wanting to know if I could come a bit earlier than his sister and father, who are scheduled to arrive at six thirty. He said he wants to “talk to me privately.”
Studying him critically for a moment, I try to detect ways in which he looks better, given the news that the leukemia can’t be detected. I don’t see anything though. He looks the same… pale, face a little swollen, thin body and fuzz covering his head.