Handle With Care Read Free Page B

stitched up Josh’s chin and the X-rays were done, they finally left the hospital. No fractures—but a badly sprained elbow would keep Josh’s arm in a sling for weeks. Unfortunately, hours in the hospital, in addition to the pain, had made her son a little short tempered. He needed routine to be at his best. What had happened today was outside her control.
    He kicked the sliding glass door when it didn’t open fast enough.
    Instead of yelling, she put a protective arm around his shoulder. “Josh, I’m so proud of you, hon.”
    “I want a cheeseburger and a milkshake. Can I have a milkshake?”
    McDonalds was a treat, and he’d earned one. “We’ll see. It’s getting kind of late and … ”
    He immediately stopped walking. “I want McDonald’s!”
    Careful to control her own temper, she took a deep breath, prepared to attempt to reason with a tired, injured Josh. A headache started at both temples. His temper tantrum was cut short by the blaring ambulance pulling up to the emergency entrance. The man they’d run into, or over, this morning, slid out from the passenger side.
    He seemed startled to see them. “You two still here?” He glanced at Josh’s sling, then his chin. “I wondered if you’d need a stitch. Nothing broken?”
    “Naw. Just a sprain. Hurt really bad, but I’m not a crybaby. Am I, Mom?”
    “No, you’re SuperKid.”
    “Did you get your bikes okay?” he asked.
    “Yeah. We did. Thanks.” She shielded her eyes from the bright sun. “I’m sorry if I was rude to you before.” She took in details she hadn’t noticed before. His confident manner, great smile. Wise eyes.
    His partner called out, “I can use a hand back here.”
    Shane’s tanned cheeks darkened. “Gotta go. We have a patient with heart problems.”
    “Well, don’t waste time talking with me.” She smiled to take the sting out of the words and walked Josh over to the cab they had waiting.
    “I like him,” Josh stated. “Can he be my new daddy?”

CHAPTER THREE
    “N ow, why would you ask such a silly question?” Lauren outwardly stayed calm while her pulse leapt with apprehension. What if he’d heard Josh say that? She didn’t dare look back, so she slid next to Josh and quickly shut the door. “Sixty-three Carleton Lane. Thank you.”
    “Because everybody else has one, and I want one too.”
    “I know that, honey, but what do I always tell you? We don’t need anyone else. You’ve got me and Julie. That’s like having two parents.” She pulled the twenty she always kept in her keychain for emergencies from the pouch, knowing it should be plenty to see them home. No cell phone, no credit cards. What had she been thinking leaving the house so unprepared? Josh wanted to ride his bike—that’s what.
    “No, it’s not the same at all.” He shifted away from her. “You won’t even let me see Gary anymore. Why can’t I see him, Mom? Why not? He’s my friend.”
    Realizing the importance of the issue to Josh, she took a deep breath and stayed calm. “I told you, honey. He’s not with the Brothers for Life organization anymore. I don’t know why.”
    She didn’t want to tell Josh the truth—that she didn’t trust Gary. There was nothing concrete, no evidence of misconduct, but it had worried her when she’d seen the way he looked at her son. She had taken him out of the program, refusing to take chances with his safety.
    “I don’t care,” Josh said. “I still want to see him.” His eyes filled with tears. “Doesn’t he want to see me?”
    “I’m sure he does. How could he not? You’re the coolest, most wonderful person I know.”
    A small smile crept on his face. “You’re just saying that ’cuz I’m your kid. You have to like me.”
    “I don’t just like you. I love you to the moon and back. It’s you and me, kid. We’ll always have each other.”
    He sulked, not letting go, which worried Lauren a little. Because Josh had ADHD, he had a tendency to obsess over things, and she