Page 61 of The Road Home
CHAPTER TWENTY
"You aren't telling me everything." Harry narrowed his eyes at Orson.
Orson blushed, but didn't bother to reach for the notebook. He'd promised Jared he wouldn't take anything public, but he was having a really hard time not answering Harry's questions.
"You're different since you and I talked the other day. Happier. What happened?"
It's just the new job. I love it and I haven't even started it yet. I walked through the place last night with Jared, then today, I filled out all the paperwork. The place is so cool, my boss is cool. Some of the other staff are homeless, so they get me. I don't feel out of place like I always have or like a freak.
He handed the notebook to Harry, hoping his answer would stop more questions. It was the first time they'd had to talk since he'd gotten to the hospital several hours earlier. Orson had watched as doctors and specialists came in and out of the room, all running different tests and looking for answers as to why Harry wasn't able to hear. Not knowing was taking its toll on Harry, but he was handling it better than Orson would be. He would have been freaking out by now.
"Who's the homeless guys?"
Reese lives in some abandoned building with a few others, and Tyler used to be homeless, but he's with the gym owner.
"Don't know either of those names." Harry shrugged. "I'm glad there are jobs opening up. I guess you dropped your spot for the program you wanted to get in?"
Orson nodded.
"So, you'll live with the doctor until you get a place?"
Again, Orson nodded, then started to write.
He's been great about helping me, but I hope it won't take long to get my own place. I hate feeling like I'm in the way. What about you? What will happen once you're released?
"I don't know. A guy came in today to talk to me about a half-way house. A place where I can learn how to live. They'll teach me Sign Language and shit like that, but I'm not ready to give up that I'll get my hearing back yet. It's too soon to decide." Harry sighed as he rubbed his ear. "Honestly, I'm scared to death it won't come back. I don't know what I'll do if it doesn't."
Orson smiled as he wrote. Harry was one of the strongest people he knew. He'd given help and hope to so many others. More people than Orson probably even knew. Harry had been on the streets a long time. There had probably been hundreds like him who Harry took in and gave a safe place to stay.
You'll do the same thing for yourself that you tell others to do. You'll work hard, find a way, focus on the future and not the past. You'll find a way to make it all work out.
"I don't know that I know how to live anywhere but on the streets. When I think about this half-way house thing, I'm scared to death to be trapped inside someplace."
Who says you'll be trapped?
"No one, but it's how it feels." Harry closed his eyes. "This wasn't how it was supposed to be. I was working with Celeste and Darren to get a lot of people placement in the new programs. Has anyone told them I'm in here?"
I didn't know you were talking to them. I can let them know.
"Thanks." Harry sighed as he looked over at Orson. "So, this doctor and you, any chance of something going on?"
Orson's cheeks heated, and he was sure that Harry was smart enough to figure out that things were already happening. If this continued, Orson needed to learn how to school his emotions better. It was hard when he was so happy. He didn't want to hide, but would because that was what Jared needed. It wasn't his place to out Jared, no matter how much he wanted to. He shook his head. "No."
Harry raised a brow. "I saw the way he was with you the other night. He couldn't stop touching you. It was subtle, but it was there. He would touch your back, hold your shoulder. He looks at you with a look that I've always dreamed of having someone look at me with."
You're crazy. He doesn't look at me in any way. Besides, he's not
Orson paused, trying to figure out how to answer.
Harry reached over and grabbed the notebook, reading what Orson wrote. "He's not what? Gay? If he's told you that, he's lying." Harry narrowed his eyes at Orson. "You know as well as I do, he is."
Orson blew out a long breath and sighed.
"You care about him, don't you?"
Unable to lie, Orson nodded.
"Does he know?"
