Silence overwhelms the area, although it’s stuffed with folks. Cullen skips at my facet as all of them stare. Harbor pushes by way of the again door, main us to the helicopter. Duncan and Noah are already buckled in after we first load Cullen, then I climb up and sit within the center with him.

Cullen’s enthusiasm for being up this excessive has us all smiling in some unspecified time in the future on the brief experience. He factors out buildings and water, bridges, and clouds. Dread returns after we begin touchdown, devastating to the enjoyment he’s bringing.

As quickly as we enter the hospital, Laura rushes to select up Cullen and embrace him so tight that I do know he’s going to begin squirming for his freedom. I stand close by, uncertain of how I slot in—I’m not Money’s household or a part of the staff. I’m a small associate within the enterprise and his girlfriend. I’m unsure both will give me entry to him.

I look down the corridor as if I’ll discover a strategy to sneak in. He wants his mother and son, however gained’t he additionally want me? My coronary heart aches in a manner that I’ve by no means felt earlier than. I cowl it with my hand as if the small gesture can maintain it collectively.

Laura units Cullen down however retains a agency maintain of his hand and turns to me. “Thanks for caring for Cullen.” Her swallow is heavier, the battle shared. “I knew he was protected with you and that you simply’d shield him so I could possibly be with my son.”

“Sure, after all.”

It’s fast, however I really feel slightly squeeze on my wrist. “And I’m glad you got here,” she says as if I wouldn’t. How may I not?

Half of my soul is within the different room.

Trying into her eyes, I’m uncertain what to say aside from, “I’m sorry.”

She reaches out and rests her hand on my arm. “I’ve religion.”

I’m unsure in what—God, his restoration, or that issues will work out how they need to. I don’t query her as a result of all of us deal with tragedies in a different way, however I wish to style that very same religion that makes her eyes shine by way of the tears she’s holding again. “Have you ever heard something?” I ask in a whisper, cautious to not have Cullen overhear. I’m greedy for any information that can give me the identical buoy to carry on to whereas nonetheless discovering consolation in her contact.

“He’s going to be okay, however they nonetheless don’t know the extent of the harm since they didn’t wish to minimize the layers of his garments earlier than reaching the hospital. They’re doing that now, separating the fibers from the burns.” Cullen wiggles at her facet. She turns to me and says, “I’m going to seek out him a toilet.”

Noah comes over and envelops me in his arms. I didn’t know I wanted the embrace till I used to be wrapped in it. A stifled cry chokes me up, and the tears threatening to fall this complete time lastly do. I flip into him, hugging my brother. He’s at all times been right here for me, and like up to now, he rubs my again and tells me every part shall be okay.

He’s by no means lied earlier than.

A health care provider comes out and speaks to Duncan, Loch, and Harbor. As a lot as I wish to rush to listen to the prognosis, part of me needs to see Money for who he’s as an alternative.

Laura joins them, letting Cullen run to me. I flip with open arms and decide him as much as maintain. Hugging him offers me probably the most consolation I’ve discovered.

Their our bodies sag in reduction, and the lightest of laughter is heard. The physician smiles when he glances over at us. I breathe, not realizing I hadn’t been within the moments of their assembly. The stress on my lungs eases as I take just a few sobering breaths.

Noah rubs my shoulders as we proceed to observe the others. They give the impression of being over just a few occasions after which at us. Harbor says, “Laura and Cullen are allowed to go in.”

She runs her hand over Cullen’s cheek, however her eyes pivot to me. “We now have it authorised so that you can be a part of us when you’d like. I perceive when you’d moderately see him privately later.”

“I wish to see him.” Cullen’s wriggling in my arms to get down earlier than voicing the identical request. I maintain his hand, and Laura holds his different as we’re led down the corridor.

“Do we have to fear?” I ask, whispering above Cullen’s head.

That smile filled with the religion she holds displays in her eyes. “He’s going to be okay. His organs are wonderful. There could be nerve harm, however we gained’t know at this stage.”

I attempt my finest to digest the knowledge, however I really feel at a loss for what I’m strolling into. The physician opens the door, and I comply with them inside. The same old hum of machines and heartbeats attain my ears earlier than I can see him within the dimly lit room. The curtains are drawn closed, however a small lamp glows from the bedside.

Cullen runs round to his dad, who’s sleeping. I grasp again, nonetheless unsure of my place. I really like him. That love is greater than my whole existence, however I’m not his household relating to having the appropriate to see him.

I keep on the finish of the mattress, holding the railing. Laura strikes to her son’s facet and brushes the hair off his brow. She takes his hand between hers after which glances again at me. “He seems good.” Her voice is shaken as if the fear she hid has lastly revealed itself.

“He does,” I whisper, turning again to him. There’s no signal of the accident aside from a scrape throughout his cheek and a few bruising on his brow. It’s minor in comparison with what I anticipated.

However I do know which means the harm is beneath the covers. I admonish my shallow ideas that worshipped what was superficial—his good-looking face, laborious physique, tanned pores and skin. None of that issues to me now. I do know the person, which I didn’t know then. I do know his coronary heart, and I’d acknowledge his soul at nighttime. God, I really like him a lot.

Menacing tears return. I gained’t allow them to fall, not in entrance of him. Money would need me to be robust. So I’ll, for him.

“Hey, buddy.” I barely hear him as he faucets the mattress for Cullen to hop up.

Laura says, “I believe we have to wait on that. He may damage you, and we don’t need that to occur or for him to really feel dangerous.”

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