Page 41 of As I Am

Ky nodded. "I'm okay with it if you are." He turned to Nathan's mom. "Do you want to join us?"

She shook her head. "No, I'll take the picture."

"I can take it." The lady behind them reached for Nathan's mom's cell phone.

"If you don't mind." Nathan's mom handed it to her.

Ky moved behind the table with Carson, enjoying the chill that ran through him as Carson pulled him close to his side. Nathan's mom stood on Carson's other side.

"Ready?" Ky glanced up at Nathan.

The boy nodded as the lady quickly took two fast pictures of them.

"Okay, this is where I have to say goodbye." Ky bent and let Carson lift Nathan from his shoulders.

Nathan took the chance to grab onto Carson and hug him. "Thank you for the tickets for tonight. It was the best night of my life."

Nathan's mom nodded. "It was amazing. Thank you so much. If you don't mind, can you sign our passes?" She pulled them around their necks and set them on the table.

Carson quickly signed them and smiled. "Have a good night and thanks for coming."

Nathan hugged Ky once more. "Thank you."

"You're both welcome. It was nice to meet you."

"You too. I'll remember you forever too." Nathan waved as his mom tugged him away from the table.

Ky stepped back, allowing Carson to finish meeting the others in the line. As he watched, he realized what an important role Carson had. He was a role model for many. Ky loved how it felt to have made a difference in someone's life. If he did nothing else over the next three weeks, he'd make sure to keep the memory of Nathan and his mother close to his heart to remind him what really mattered in life.