Page 15 of Ranger's Rise

I laugh. “He is happy. Is your name Aris?” I get a nod. “Can I do anything for you or Jacques?”

He runs out of the room and the kids standing at the hall are smiling while looking down. “You should sit and be comfortable. We’re new, but friends like the Brothers.”

A couple move into the room and take seats on the other couch. They sit looking down. Web and Ranger are still talking.

Aris runs back in and stops in front of me. He has a tablet with a picture of a card with a balloon. I look at him, not understanding. He reaches into his cargo pocket and pulls out scissors and paper. It’s a wrapper from the cafeteria. Clamping my teeth together, I take the wrapper and scissors. I cut out a balloon shape and look around. “I need string or ribbon.”

He runs again making me laugh. A minute later he has a piece of what looks like a shirt. I keep the smile off my face and cut a thin piece off it and tie it on our paper balloon. When I hand it to him, the smile I get back is priceless.

“Jacques,se rétablir.”

I laugh. I love this kid and he just gave me an idea. “Yes. Get well, Jacques.”

He sits on the floor beside the bed and shows Jacques the balloon. Before I can move, the boys in the hall are sitting and touching Jacques or the balloon. They move their hands away so the others can touch it or Jacques.

I look back at Ranger for help and he stands. “I have to get to a dinner. Let me know if we need more gear, Anton. I’ll see you tomorrow, Web.”

Web stands and hugs Ranger then me. I just barely make it out before a tear falls. “We need to keep moving. Every bit of the building is on camera and the kids run surveillance regularly. I can guarantee at least one of them are watching. Keep my hand and just keep walking.”

At the bottom of the stairs, he pulls me into the hall then a closet. As soon as his arms go around me, I’m a shaking, sniveling mess. He doesn’t say a word but holds on. When my body relaxes, I breathe deep and gain some control. Ranger turns then puts a shirt in my hand. “This must be the trainee supply clothes.”

I smile or try to and clean myself up. “Thanks. I’m not usually so emotional, I leave that to Victory. Who the fuck would do that to kids?”

He shakes his head. “I have no clue, but believe that Badass is dealing with it. I’m not sure you heard, but Falcon is going away for a month to help. Badass through the Masons asked for him to go.”

“That’s why Juanita is going to be away. I hope Badass is like Cort. They need to get rid of whoever did that to them. Jacques is twelve.”

He nods wrapping me in his arms again. “Web said Cort is getting him a chair. Doc said he’s doing better. We’ll do what we can to help get him to some kind of normal. They just need time.”

I tighten my arms and step back. “And balloons. I’m due at Lorelei’s in less than an hour. I need to run by Victory’s store.”

He nods. “We’ll take my truck. I’m at VPs too.”

~*

Ranger

I watch her as Juanita tells Daniel she’ll be away for a month. She’s been keeping tabs on him since we got here. He likes her and I’m relieved to see she likes him. She doesn’t strike me as very maternal and I’m okay with that. I’ve seen too much in too many places. If my ol’ lady wanted kids, I’d make sure it happened, but not wanting them is not a problem.

Daniel tears up. “You’re coming back?”

Juanita nods smiling. “I live here, so yes, I’ll be coming back. The job I am going away for is very important to kids just like you, Daniel. I wouldn’t be a very good person if I knew kids could be hurt and didn’t do anything to help them. I need to do this.”

“They don’t have Brothers like us?”

I smile seeing Freedom’s smile. “The problem isn’t with people helping, but the help that they can give. I help in a way that isn’t seen. I don’t give clothes or rides or a place to live.”

He nods. “I get it, you help their brains, like me. You’re coming back, right?”

“I am. My dad and brothers live here and this is where my house is.”

The kid nods. “Okay. Can I email you? I can tell you about the party. Akai said they have Brothers.”

The party is with Web’s kids? I look at VP who is focused on Daniel, then Cort. Cort does the barely moving head swing saying this isn’t the time to ask, so I watch Freedom.

When Daniel looks at Freedom, he has tears on his face. Are you leaving too, Freedom?”

She smiles. “No. I have too much to do here. We have class after school every Tuesday and Thursday with our Little Brothers and your mom is starting the morning martial arts class next week. I can’t go help Juanita and Falcon right now. I need to stay for my girls and Little Brothers. Maybe the next time someone needs my help I can go, but it’s not a good time for me.”