Anything for Her - By Janice Kay Johnson Page 0,97
with Sean’s background was finding out that his new dad wouldn’t abandon him for any reason at all—and wouldn’t abandon the woman he loved, either.
Settled in his mind, Nolan watched as the jubilant home team shook hands with their opponents and then headed for the locker room. Nolan joined the exodus from the bleachers.
Sean hadn’t had much of an appetite earlier. “I guess I’m nervous,” he’d admitted. Nolan had promised pizza on the way home.
When the boys disappeared into the locker room, Nolan called the pizza parlor and ordered an extra-large, everything-on-it one to go. This was a conversation they couldn’t have in a restaurant.
In the parking lot, Nolan leaned against the fender of his truck and waited with the other parents. Sean emerged finally, showered and triumphant from the win. He and Nolan exchanged high fives.
“Man, I’m starved!” was the first thing out of his mouth.
“One step ahead of you. I called and ordered a pizza to be ready for pickup.” Nolan hesitated. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
Predictably, Sean badgered him, but Nolan held his ground until they got home. He waited until he’d set plates, napkins and drinks on the table while Sean opened the box and devoured his first slice of pizza in a couple of gulps.
“This is about Allie,” Nolan said, knowing the gravity of what he felt and was going to ask of the boy had to be obvious in his voice.
Sean didn’t reach for another slice. “What about Allie?”
Nolan hesitated. “You can never repeat anything I tell you. Not to anyone. Not a best friend, not a girlfriend. Not ever. You can’t hint at it on your Facebook page. This is...really important.”
The boy stared at him. “You sound like...I don’t know, like she works for the CIA or something.”
“Do you promise?”
“Yeah. Sure.” Seeing the look in Nolan’s eyes, he added hastily, “I promise.”
Nolan relaxed slightly. “Here it is, then.” He talked, laying out the whole story. Mouth agape, Sean listened.
“Wow,” he said finally, “you really stepped in it, didn’t you?”
“No shit.” Nolan grimaced at the bad pun. “Yeah. Having her investigated was the absolute worst thing I could have done.”
“She’s really just going to leave so she can stay with her mom? Is it because she’s so mad at you?”
Nolan hesitated. “I think it’s complicated. She’s mad, she’s hurt, sure. But also...her mother is the only continuity she’s ever had in her life.” He told Sean what he’d figured out, about how everyone Allie had ever loved expecting her to make any sacrifices that had to be made.
“I kind of get that,” Sean said unexpectedly. “Grandma loved me, but even with her I could tell having me around wasn’t really what she wanted. You know? I had to try to fit in depending on who I lived with.” His shrug was awkward. “Until you, no one ever really put themselves out for me.”
Choked up, Nolan had to clear his throat before he could speak. “You deserved better all along the way.”
Sean shrugged, as if that was beside the point. “You’re thinking you’ll go with her, aren’t you?”
Surprised at his perception, Nolan raised his eyebrows. “I guess I am,” he said after a minute. “That’s why I had to talk to you before I talk to Allie.”
Sean ducked his head. “So I know.”
“Because this affects you as much as it does me,” Nolan said slowly. “I’d be asking you to start all over, too. Seems like school is going really well for you. You’re making friends. Given that we’re midseason, you might not be able to play basketball until next fall at a new school.”
“You don’t think they could find me a foster home in West Fork.”
Nolan stared at him. “I mean wherever we go. It could be damn near anywhere. It doesn’t sound like we’d have any say in that.”
Looking stunned, the boy raised his head. “You mean...” His voice cracked. “You’d take me with you?”
“Oh, hell.” Nolan rose to his feet and circled the table. “Of course I’d take you with me. I told you. You’re my son now.”
A single harsh sob broke from Sean’s throat. His chair scraped back. His arms came hard around Nolan, as Nolan’s did around him.
“You’re my son,” Nolan repeated.
It was a long time until Sean drew back, his face wet. Averting his face, he grabbed a handful of napkins and swiped at tears before blowing his nose.
Nolan discovered his cheeks were also wet, and he reached for a napkin, too. At last he