The careers his brothers had chosen, law and finance, held no interest for him. He respected them for their accomplishments, but to him, nothing was more important than feeding a child’s mind. That moment when a child’s face lit up with understanding was the greatest of his achievements. Even now he missed the classroom and his students. Guilt washed over him at the thought of disappointing Dwayne and Wilson.
The bus pulled into the inner-city bus terminal in downtown Reading. It was totally unchanged from when he’d left eight years earlier—poor, nondescript, and gritty. Not a place to hang around. He needed to double back somewhat, so he opted for a cab and hailed one that sat idling across the street.
It felt funny to be traveling the streets of this once-familiar town, looking for places he’d known like the back of his hand, only to see they’d gone out of business, replaced by a few trendy little shops, restaurants, and coffeehouses. It couldn’t hide what he saw on the side streets—houses boarded up and stores with old for-rent signs hanging in the windows. Apparently, the economic boom hadn’t reached this far inside the state.
They’d gotten back on the highway, and he was grateful the cabdriver was silent. He had no desire to make small talk. After a fifteen-minute drive back up Route 222, it was only a short distance from the exit. His stomach churned as they pulled onto the street.
A fog of poverty and disrepair hung over the house. The wooden front steps sagged to the right, and the color had faded to something indeterminate—not brown, not gray. It was as if an artist had finished painting the picture and then smudged it, blurring all the lines.
“This it, buddy?” The cabdriver met his eyes in the rearview mirror.
“Yeah.” Brandon paid the fare and got out. The nauseating smell from the chicken coops down the street assailed him. He held his breath and ran up the rickety steps.
From somewhere in the distance, a dog barked. Plastic furniture stood about on the porch. Nausea cramped his stomach, and he wanted to turn around and run again, but this was something he needed to do. He knocked on the door.
From within, he heard shuffled steps. The inner door opened, and a woman peered through the torn outer screen door. “Oh my God.”
“Hi, Mom. Can I come in?”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Sitting in Ash’s office waiting for the phone to ring was torturous. Tash had managed to cancel his patients for the morning as he was in no mental state to treat anyone. Not knowing what had happened to Brandon last night was bad enough, and now to find this morning that he’d taken off the rest of the week for points unknown and wasn’t responding to anyone’s phone calls was enough to drive Tash to the brink of insanity.
“Where the hell could he have gone?”
“Shh. I’m trying his phone again.” Ash put up his hand. “Brandon, is that you? Are you all right?”
Tash jumped out of his chair and ran to Ash’s side.
“Please, tell me where you are; don’t run away from us.”
Tash’s heart stuttered in his chest as he watched the light fade from Ash’s eyes.
“Brandon, wait.” Ash threw the phone onto his desk. “Damn it, he hung up.”
“Did he say anything?”
Ash’s brow furrowed. “He said he needed to do it on his own and not to worry about him. I’m going to call Jordan. Maybe Keith’s old partner, Jerry, can figure out how to track the phone call. Then we might have an idea where he was going.”
While Ash put in the call to Jordan, Tash texted Brandon several more times.
I love you. Where are you, and why are you running away?
He received no reply.
Ash slammed down the phone in frustration. “Jordan’s in surgery and won’t be out for several hours. I’m going to call Luke and speak to him.”
Before he had a chance to pick up the phone again, it rang.
“Yes, Laura?”
“Esther is on line one.”
Tash watched Ash take a deep breath in an attempt to calm down. No matter how crazy Tash was not knowing where Brandon had run to, he couldn’t imagine how Ash felt, having only found his little brother again after so many years.
“Esther, how can I help you? I’m a little busy at the moment—” Ash halted, his eyes growing wide with disbelief. “He did? What did he say?”
Ash listened, and once again, Tash waited with nervous anticipation swirling in his stomach. Ash kept shooting strange looks at him.
“He didn’t show up to work today and called in sick for the rest of the week.”
Ash listened for several more minutes. “Thank you. I think you’re right.” For the first time, he smiled. “Very well, Esther. I’m sure you’re right. I love you, and I’ll call you as soon as we know anything.” He was about to hang up when he looked at Tash. “Yes, he is.” Ash handed the phone to him. “She wants to talk to you.”
Puzzled, Tash took the phone from Ash. “Esther, it’s Tash.” He waited for her to speak since he had no idea what she had to say to him.
“Sebastian. I had quite a lovely talk with Brandon last night. Do you know why he left your house without seeing you?”
“No, do you? He talked to you?” Not that it would surprise Tash. Esther had a way with everyone she met. There was something about her that made you want to confide every one of your darkest fears and secrets to her.
“He did. He heard you last night. You and your sister. It was so hurtful to him to hear her say those things, and you not stand up and defend him—defend both of you, I should say.”
The bottom dropped out of Tash’s stomach. “What exactly did he say he heard?”
“That you believed what your sister said: that you’re too old for him and he’s using you for security.” Her voice softened. “You don’t believe that, do you?”
“No, no, of course not.” The strength of his denial and anger surprised even him. “He means everything to me. I love him. If he had stayed, he would’ve heard me wake up from whatever stupid pill I’d taken to tell my sister how wrong she was.” He slumped onto the love seat by the window. “My God, how could he think otherwise? I can’t imagine my life without him.”
“Then find him and tell him that. Don’t let him go until you’re sure he believes it. He’s so fragile now. You may have to persuade him of your truth.”
“Thank you, Esther. I will. I promise to bring him back.”
He hung up to find Ash staring at him. “What?”
“You really do love him.”
“Not you too,” said Tash, groaning as he scrubbed his face. “I thought you believed me.”
“I didn’t realize the strength of your feelings until I saw your face right now.”
“Never mind that.” Tash pushed up his glasses and rubbed his eyes. “What did she say about where he might have gone?”
Ash was busy checking something on his phone. “She believes—and I tend to agree with her—that Brandon went back to Pennsylvania to try and deal with the issue of Munson’s death on his own. She thinks he went home.”
“Shit.” Tash sat and rested his head on the back of the love seat, staring up at the ceiling. “So, what do we do now?”
“First thing is to find out where the house is and pay her a visit.”
Tash bolted upright to a sitting position. “You? You’re going to go see Mrs. Munson, your foster mother?”
Lines of anguish etched deep into Ash’s face. Tash knew how hard this was on him. But Tash also knew Ash would do anything for Brandon.
“Yeah. And I’m going to call Luke. I’m sure he’ll want to come too. We can leave this afternoon and be there by early evening.”
Something niggled at the back of Tash’s mind, and he checked his calendar. He’d completely overlooked his afternoon court appearance with Connor Halstead. He’d be testifying in Johnny’s defense. There was no way he could miss that.
“I can’t go until later.” After explaining about his appointment, Ash, who was already placing the call to Luke, nodded
.
“I’m sure that’s fine. Even if we leave around five tonight, we’ll still be there before its gets too late.”
Tash let out a sigh of relief. As Ash filled Luke in on the details, Tash ran over his last few meetings with Johnny in his head. The young man had made amazing progress and had blossomed in the care of the Ortega family in his home life and at the Clinic and community center for work. Brandon, who’d been working with Johnny the evenings Tash spent at the Clinic, had reported to him that Johnny was a bright kid who showed a real aptitude for computers. He was well on his way to getting his GED, and Brandon had no doubt Johnny would be going to college in the future.
He said good-bye to Ash and headed back to his office. The rest of the morning was spent going over Johnny’s file in preparation for the meeting with the judge. At one o’clock, as he was finishing up his lunch, Tash received a call from Valerie.
“Hi, what’s up?”
“I’m so sorry, Tash. Please say you’ll forgive me.” His sister’s naturally bubbly voice sounded subdued in his ear, and he had a suspicion she’d been crying.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s my fault Brandon left. I said all those things last night, and he heard me, didn’t he?” Her hiccupping sobs tore at Tash’s heart even though he knew it was the truth.
“I know you were being protective of me, but the truth is, I can’t allow you or anyone else to tell me how I should feel.” He listened to her sniffle for a few moments. “I love him, Val. Not knowing where he is, if he’s in trouble or needs me…it’s killing me. It’s like a piece of me is missing. Do you understand?”
He held his breath as she remained silent on the other end.
“Yes,” she whispered. “I do, and that’s why I’m so upset. I’m so sorry I butted in and hurt you and Brandon. Luke is furious with me.”
“He is?” Tash was surprised. Though he and Luke had made an uneasy peace, Tash sensed the man was still upset about Brandon’s involvement with him.
“He told me I had to leave you both alone to let you work through your relationship. If it was meant to last, it would all work out.”
Wise words. “So you know now how much I love him, don’t you?”
“Yes.” More sniffling. “You know I love you and only want the best for you. I honestly thought I was doing the right thing until we spoke afterward, and I saw it.”
“Saw what?”
“I saw you again. The man you were before you retreated into your shell. And I don’t ever want to see that other person. If Brandon is the one who brought you back to life, I promise I won’t stand in your way.”
“Thanks, honey. I have a court date this afternoon, but then Luke, Ash, and I are leaving for Pennsylvania.”
“I know. I had to rearrange Luke’s meetings.”
“Right. So I’ll keep you in the loop with what happens tonight, but I have to go now and prepare for this hearing.”
After he hung up, Tash showered, dressed for court in a suit and tie, and left to meet Connor Halstead at the offices of Manhattan Legal Aid in Tribeca. He took it as a good sign that the train didn’t take too long, and he arrived at the office with time to spare. He received his visitor’s pass but still needed to go through metal detectors. The elevators groaned their way up to the space occupied by Legal Aid.
When the doors slid open, he found Connor waiting for him.
“Hey, Tash, good to see you.”
They shook hands and proceeded from the elevator banks to enter the offices. Connor swiped them in, and as usual, Tash became overwhelmed by the organized chaos. No matter how many times he’d visited Conner here, Tash had never been able to figure out the maze of offices. After a few twists and turns, they arrived at Connor’s office.
“Come on in to the dark side,” said Connor with a grin. Tash had a feeling Connor was only half joking. Files were piled in a haphazard manner, looking like a sneeze would send them toppling to the floor. He had two computers and a desk piled with more files and law books. On the desk were pictures of his wife and baby son.
“How do you find anything in here?” Tash walked in and saw Johnny sitting at the small round table squeezed in the corner. “All set for this?”
The young man who sat at the table was hardly recognizable from the street kid he’d met months before. His hair was washed and cut, his skin was clear, and he’d gained some weight. He wore a suit with a tie and kept touching the jacket sleeve and the lapel as if he couldn’t believe he was wearing it. When he caught Johnny’s eye, the young man flushed. “I never had clothes like this before, but the Ortegas said I needed to look presentable for the judge, so she knows I’m serious.” He smoothed his tie. “Mrs. Ortega took me shopping and bought it for me as a present.”
“You look great, Johnny.” Tash could see the pride Johnny now had in himself in his straight posture and the strong set of his shoulders, but his nerves still broke through in his shaky smile. “Don’t worry. You aren’t the same person you were when you were brought in on the breaking and entering charge. I’ve seen it, and I know the judge will as well.” Tash tried to speak as reassuringly as possible, but the fear remained in Johnny’s eyes.
“Do you think so?” Johnny’s expression was doubtful. “She seemed really tough.”
Connor sat facing them. “All you need to do is tell the truth. Your foster family already put in their report about how you keep the house rules they set for you and help around the house.”
“They’re nice to me, and Mrs. Ortega said she wants to see me graduate college. She said she believes I can do it like her son did.”
“You can; I know it.” Tash squeezed his shoulder. “There’s no reason you shouldn’t have faith in yourself.”
For once the look Johnny gave him wasn’t clouded with doubt; instead, hope dawned in his wary eyes along with the realization that maybe Tash was right. Those were the looks Tash had become a doctor for—the knowledge of a person’s self-worth. Johnny would make it, and Tash would continue to help others like Johnny in the future.
“Ready, guys?” Connor checked his watch and gathered his files. “Let’s go. It’ll take us about fifteen to twenty minutes to walk to the courthouse on Centre Street.”
Tash and Johnny trailed behind Connor as he led them out of the office and then out of the building. They walked in virtual silence to the court, each with a heavy weight on their mind.
After passing through security, they entered the courthouse, following Connor, who walked through the halls with natural confidence, greeting the other lawyers. They passed by a number of doors, which all looked the same to Tash until they reached one with a sign outside that read COURTROOM. The detective, Jerry Allen, had already arrived, in case the judge wished to speak with him as well and approached Tash with a smile.
“How are you?”
Jerry shook his hand. “Well, thanks. And how is everything here?” He peered over Tash’s shoulder. “Johnny looks good. Everything working out okay?”
Tash nodded. “Couldn’t be better. Johnny is working, studying for his GED, and the Ortegas have nothing but praise for him. I think it’s a win this time.”
A tired smile broke out across Jerry’s face. “Good to hear. It’s nice to finally receive some positive news for a change.”
“Things still tough with the investigation?” Tash gazed at him with a sympathetic smile.
“We should be able to make an arrest soon.”
He accompanied Jerry to sit with him in one of the courtroom rows while Connor and Johnny sat at the desk in the front reserved for the defendants.
“That’s great. I know Jordan will be thrilled.”
“I’m putting in for retirement afterward. I’m glad to see Johnny safe, and the community center is a great thing. You guys are to be commended.” Jerry patted him on the shoulder. “Luke’s brother Brandon is even helping, I hear. He seems like a good kid.”
Tash flushed. “He’s hardly a kid; he’s twenty-five.”
<
br /> “Anyone under the age of forty is a kid to me, Tash.”
They shared a laugh; then Jerry sobered up. “Luke told me about his problems.”
The smile froze on Tash’s lips. “I-I can’t talk about it.”
“All rise.” The bailiff’s announcement cut short their conversation.
At that moment, the judge walked in, and they all stood. Tash hadn’t even realized the ADA had entered the courtroom while he and Jerry spoke. Tash listened with half an ear to the introductions and the preliminaries.
“Be seated.” The judge, Julia Harrison, seemed no-nonsense. She spent quite a bit of time going through the paperwork, and Tash could see Johnny losing confidence as the minutes ticked away. Connor, to his credit, spoke quietly to him, patting him on the back.
“Counselor.” The judge directed her attention to Connor, peering at him over her reading glasses. “Your client seems to be abiding by the court-mandated community service. He’s in therapy as well; is that correct?”
“Yes, Your Honor.” Connor glanced over his shoulder and waved Tash to join them at the table. “Dr. Sebastian Weber is present today. He is the psychiatrist who’s been treating Johnny.”
Tash stood beside Connor at the table. “Good afternoon, Your Honor.”
“Dr. Weber, nice to see you again. You’ve been treating Johnny here for a while now. What is your prognosis?”
Before he answered, Tash gave Johnny a reassuring smile. “Your Honor, I am very happy to report that I see Johnny progressing beautifully. He’s taken to working at the medical clinic and community center to heart and is learning to handle their computer systems. Additionally, he is studying for his GED and is on track to receive it next June. I have every confidence in him that he won’t be re-entering his former life, and I recommend he continue the treatment plan he’s been receiving.”
Embrace the Fire Page 24
