Page 2 of Stay with Me
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Drew – age eleven
Drew stood in the kitchen, trying not to fidget as his mother rushed around. She threw things into the fridge and turned off the stove.
“Mom, I don’t want to go to the hospital with you,” Drew whined. Yes, he was whining but he was over ten now. He could stay home alone.
“Andrew Brian Nolan, you will get your backpack and get in the car before I get there or there will be consequences. I don’t have the time to argue with—”
The doorbell cut off his mother and Drew couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or a bad thing as she glared in the direction of the front door. Being the youngest, he did have a little bit of survivor in him.
“Why don’t I get that, Mom?” Drew was moving out of the kitchen before he finished speaking. The minute he opened the door, he was screaming, “Uncle Mooney!” He threw himself at his uncle, knowing he’d be caught.
“Umph,” his uncle groaned. “Drew, when did you get so big?”
“Andrew, why are you yelling?” his mother asked as she got closer. “Mooney! Why are you early? You and Debbie aren’t supposed to be here for a few hours.” Mom tapped his back, so Drew let go of the stranglehold he had on his uncle.
“We got on the road earlier than expected. I dropped Debbie off at Cape Fear to meet up with her friend Mark. I’ve got tohead onto post to do a quick surprise inspection on the PEDDs. CID reached out when they heard I was traveling down for the change of responsibility and asked me to do a favor. It’s always a good thing when CID owes you a favor.” Drew hadn’t realized his uncle was in uniform until he bent over for his beret. Guess Drew had knocked it off. “Where are we meeting for dinner tonight?”
“Um, here?” Mom didn’t sound convinced on that. “Well, I’ll have to ask Kevin if he can handle the cooking. One of my patients is having some complications and the floor just called me. I’m heading over there with Andrew. Kevin’s at Julia’s soccer game and Tristan is at track practice.”
“Mom, please? I can stay by myself.” Yes, Drew was back to whining. Probably didn’t make him sound particularly old enough to stay home alone, but he really didn’t want to sit in the waiting room for hours.
“Andrew Brian, I told you no. Now, get ready.” His mother headed up to the second floor of their house and called over her shoulder, “I’ll have Kevin give you a call, Mooney.”
“Britt, why don’t I take Drew with me?” his uncle offered. “The inspection won’t take long. Then Drew and I will go pick up Debbie. I’ll give Kevin a call and we’ll figure out dinner. You go take care of your patient.”
Drew looked at his mother, hands folded at his chest in prayer. He’d ask whomever he needed to get the result he wanted.
“If you’re sure, Mooney.” His mother looked relieved that his uncle was here.
Drew hung his head and walked over to his mom. “I’m sorry, Mom.” She pulled him into a hug.
“I know it’s hard being the youngest. Be good for your uncle.”
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Brody – age twelve
Brody was sitting on the bed in the room he shared with his foster brother when his foster mom, Robin, walked in. She was carrying a trash bag. He looked around the room. There might be some toys and books on the floor but nothing that needed a trash bag.
“Brody, I need you to put your stuff in here,” Robin said as she held out the bag.
He was confused but pushed to the edge of the bed and took the bag. “Why?” he asked, moving toward the dirty laundry basket. Maybe his shorts from soccer smelled bad?
“Grab everything. Miss Evans will be here in about thirty minutes to get you.” Robin was shifting from foot to foot.
“Where is she taking me that I need my stuff? I’ll be back for bedtime,” Brody argued, as he starting stuff his clothes in the bag.
“She’s taking you to your new foster home. I found out that I’m pregnant and since my pregnancy with Tommy was hard, I’m going on bed rest. We can’t keep you,” Robin finished with a shrug. “We don’t have enough room for you, Tommy, and the baby.”
Brody felt the tears forming and turned his face away. He’d learned not to cry in front of people in his first foster home, when the boy there teased him. Guess he didn’t belong here, either.
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Drew – age sixteen
Drew sat on his uncles’ back steps and watched their dog, Dizzy, inspect the grass. Visiting his uncles in Raleigh was one ofhis favorite things to do. They’d drive down and grab him for a weekend when Julia had events going on that he didn’t want to attend. Guess that started with Tristan when he didn’t want to go on a soccer weekend one time. Of course, it would start with Tris. Couldn’t be something that Drew did first. Oh no, his brother cast a big shadow for him to live in.
