Page 131 of Something Like Forever

A few kids answered. Therest stared into space before they resumed scribbling. Ben noticedone face covered in glitter and pretended not to have seen. “Whatare you doing here?” he said, stepping aside so she couldenter.

“You aren’t answering yourphone!”

“I have to keep the linefree in case Tim calls. Or my mom or anyone else at thehospital.”

Allison wasn’t satisfied.“So why didn’t you answer my texts?”

“I wasjust writing you back!” He led her to his phone and held it up soshe could see.

She stroked the screen soit scrolled upwards. “This looks like the first chapter of abook.”

“It was a longreply.”

“Can yousummarize?”

Ben glanced over hisshoulder, but thankfully, most kids found adult conversationsboring. “It says that I’m freaking out.”

“Understandably.” Sheperched on the edge of his desk as he sat again. “You should bethere.”

“I know!I would be too, if not for…” He tilted his head toward thestudents. “You know.”

Allison’s expression wassympathetic, but she wasn’t done yet. “Who’s taking care ofTim?”

“Myparents. His parents too. His dad drove out yesterday to pick himup. That’s who gave him a ride to Houston.”

“His father,” Allisondeadpanned. “The man with no heart.”

“Yup.”

“I guessthat wife of his tore into him again. Was she theretoo?”

“No.It’s crazy. I’m not getting my hopes up that this will continueif—when—Tim pulls through. But for now, I can tell it makes himhappy.”

Allison exhaled. “I’ll bedamned. When does Tim go into surgery?”

Ben checked the clockagain, his stomach sinking. “Right now.”

“Right now, rightnow?”

“Yeah.”

“And how long will theprocedure take?”

“Two orthree hours,” Ben said, not able to imagine the courage needed tooperate on another person, nonetheless for hours at a time. “Thenwe should hear something.”

Allison raised hereyebrows. Uh oh. “Or you could leave now, driveverysafely to Houston, and be therejust in time for him to come out of surgery.”

God he would love that!“You’re forgetting the room full of children who have beenentrusted to my care.”

“No, Ihaven’t,” Allison said. “I work with children all the time, whenI’m not busy making them, so I could stand in for you. If someonecame into the room while you’re gone… Does that happenoften?”

“Not really.”

“Good. But if it did, I’ll tell them therewas a family emergency and that you’ll be right back. Unless theyshow up the second you leave, your class will probably be closeenough to ending that they let it slide. I’ll be sure to tell themthat youjustleft, no matter when they arrive.”

“I love you,” Ben said,already on his feet.

Allison smiled. “Who couldblame you?”