Chapter 7

“Ben’s here, Joes. Can you believe this man hopped on a plane and flew across the country because you broke your noggin? Yeah, me either.” He looked up at me. “But I’m glad he did because he’s been really supportive when I needed him most. Most of the people in our life haven’t been as great as this guy you only know online.”

I had to swallow hard against the sudden lump in my throat. I had wondered about the lack of people surrounding the siblings in their time of need. I knew they didn’t have any family; both their parents had passed and there were no close relatives. But I knew for a fact Josie had a lot of friends. Surely Zack had some, too. Where were they all?

I almost asked, but then I thought better of it. This was not the time or place. Instead, I leaned forward to place a kiss on Josie’s cheek, whispered that I loved her, then straightened and clenched Zack’s fingers tightly.

“I’ll be down the hall if you need me, all right?”