Page 16 of Born a Hero

Dena stood close to Liam and was reaching for her child, uncontrollably shaking, crying from the fear that had to have struck her once she saw her boy dive into such danger.

“I’m sorry, Bryce. Here let me take him.”

When Bryce went to lift the boy to her, Justin wouldn’t let go. His arms wrapped around Bryce’s neck clung tight. “Don’t be afraid, son. Your mom will help you inside.”

“I want you. Don’t let me go.”

When Bryce heard the words that it was him who the boy specifically wanted, his heart burst with joy. Knowing it wasn’t fair to Dena – a mother’s worry knew no bounds – he had to respect the kid’s wishes.

So… he lunged with a herculean effort, lifting them both, and let Dena and Liam take his arms to help haul the two of them inside. Once the windowsill gave him support, he could maneuver the rest of the way. Like a snug vest, Justin still clung to his neck and his legs were wrapped around his waist.

Dena moved in and hugged both not caring that she would be soaked from their dripping garments. Sonja, on the other hand, knew how uncomfortable it would be having to live in soggy clothes and took over.

“Okay. Let’s get everyone dry now. Justin go with Mommy, and she’ll look after you. Bryce, my lad, you’re mine. Come on now.”

Justin let Bryce put him down and his first thought flew to where the terrified pup was being taken care of by the two other children and their dad, Liam. It’s fearful howls called to him plainly, and he pulled away from the adults to run over to where the puppy looked so pitiful.

“I got you boy. Don’t cwy. Me and Bwyce saved you.” He reached for the baby, and no one was surprised to see the soaked pup gratefully go into his arms.

Chapter Seventeen

After all the excitement slowed down and everyone was dry and comfy, though their wardrobes left a lot to be desired, they perched together near Rose’s bed and talked about lots of things.

The kids were in their own group with the puppy being the center of attention. From the size of the small canine, it looked to be only a few months old but would be a larger dog when fully grown.

“Liam, what breed do you figure he is?” Rose had just turned her attention away from the laughter of the children. “He seems to have lost his fear now and likes the attention.”

All the adults looked over and saw the puppy rolling on his back with his feet in the air, begging for belly rubs. Justin was the first to cooperate and got his face washed for his troubles. The others thought it hilarious.

Liam shrugged. “I’m not sure, honey. Probably some poodle in there. Now that his fur is dry, it’s quite curly. Maybe a mix of some sort.”

“Like a Heinz 57. That’s what my dad used to call a mutt.” Sonja added.

Rose watched the kids and thought out loud. “I wish we could offer him a home once this is all cleared up.” She turned to the others. “I’m allergic to most animals and suffer terribly if I’m too close for any length of time.”

Bryce had watched the affection Justin obviously had for the dog and made a suggestion, not sure how Dena would feel about it. “Looks to me like Justin’s already staked claim. Can you have him with you, Dena?”

“Lord, no. We live in an apartment on the third floor and there’s a strict no-pet policy. Justin’s in way over his head, I can see it and I know it’s going to break his heart when I have to tell him it’s not his pet. He’s only six and—”

Rose finished the sentence. “And they don’t understand rules yet. Our two just turned seven. In today’s world, it’s hard for children to accept that some things just can’t be. We’ve tried hard to give our kids a good life but one with restrictions. At times they understand that things are just the way they are and no arguments. Other times we get that same old story.” In a high-pitched voice, she explained her reasoning. “But, Mommy, Ryan can do it, and Lindy says her mommy gave her a cellphone forherbirthday, and…” She petered out.

“I know what you mean. Justin’s been begging me for a pet, and I finally broke down and got him a bowl with a goldfish but then I caught him trying to pet it. The poor thing must have died from the shock. Next morning we had a floater. Try explaining that to a little boy who just wants something to share all his boyish affection with.”

When Bryce heard that story, his stomach clenched in sorrow. He looked over at Justin now laughing boisterously while hugging the face-washing puppy. He saw pure bliss. And something else.

He saw himself as a child.

***

Suddenly, he just knew. Like a blast of pure data short-circuiting in his brain.

Shooting to his feet, he went to a quiet corner and let his mind travel back to the last time he had been with Dena, the night they’d met.

It’d been one of the few nights he’d been forced to leave the hospital in months. He’d decided to spoil himself and go to a restaurant for a sit-down dinner. He’d shut off his phone and purposely left it in his jacket pocket, deciding to just enjoy the atmosphere where other people were having a good time. No accidents or injuries urgently needing him. No stress or tension riding his back until his training kicked in and hours fled.

He'd ordered a steak sandwich and fries; his budget being stretched with even that cheap meal, and then he’d even had a piece of apple pie. The hot apples delighted his senses and made him remember good times in his youth.

He left that place feeling full, somewhat rested, and happy to be alive. In his job, he’d seen a lot of heartache from wounds too dreadful to dwell on. And tonight he’d promised himself that he’d leave all that behind until the next morning shift.

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