Chapter 29

“Chad!” Grant hollered.

Chad ignored him and sprinted inside. He saw Marty talking with a balding man in a suit.

“Marty? Where is he?”

“Hey, Chad. He’s in there.” Marty gestured with his head to the auditorium.

Chad pushed his way through the doors. Kids were congregated near one end of the stage, while Marty’s partner and a couple of firemen stood in a semi-circle at the other end.

“Jeff?” Chad called as he ran down the aisle, his heart racing. “Jeff?” His voice echoed through the auditorium.

“Chad?”

He stopped in his tracks and turned to see Jeff walking toward him, away from the group of kids. Chad was so thankful to see him, he forgot himself and ran to him, wrapping his arms around Jeff’s waist and lifting him off the ground.

“Oh, thank God,” he said as he held on tightly.

“What’s wrong? Oh, God, did you think…? Chad, I’m fine. It wasn’t me. It wasn’t me.”