Page 33 of Together Again

“Diogo.”

“Diogo, do you know why you’re here?”

He nodded.

“Has this happened to you before?”

Another nod.

“The last time Mom got…”

He looked away as a tear ran down his cheek before he wiped it clear too quickly.

“I lost someone whowas like a mom to me at Christmas. It hurts a lot. Is that what happened to you?”

He covered his face with his hands, small sobs escaping him. I pulled a chair next to the bed and sat down.

“I’m eighteen, I can look after myself,” he said with defiance, although he didn’t look like he was convinced of that.

“I have no doubt of that, Diogo. How about we have a chat and hot chocolate? I’ve been here since yesterday and could do with a treat.” I got a small smile. Two points for Max.

I found Shelly at the nurses’ station, updating her patient notes.

“Hey, Shell, you know the kid in C2?”

“Did you get any information out of him? We need to call someone.”

“Sounds like he lost his mom, possibly quite recently, and I’m not sure he has any family. Before we call Social Services, can I do somedigging? I have a gut feeling this kid has already been on his own a little while. I justwant to make sure he gets the right kind ofhelp.”

“Max,” Shelly warned, “you can’t save all the kids that come through the door.”

I ran my hands through my hair, reminding me I’d recently got rid of my longer locks in favor of a low-maintenance, shorter style. I sighed. “I’m not trying to save him. I think calling Social Services may not be the right thing this time. Besides, he says he’s eighteen. If he’s telling the truth, we can’t do anything he doesn’t want.”

“First of all, you owe me one. Second, if you call Jean-Paul to help the kid you have to make sure I’m on shift so I can get my fix of his sexy French accent.”

“Deal.” I smiled and stretched over the desk to give her a kiss on the cheek.

“And if you want to keep your nuts attached, please tell Jacki.”

“Love you, Shell,” I sang as I walked toward the cafeteria to grab two hot chocolates.

A renewed rush of energy ran through me. Nothing gave me more pleasure than supporting my friends’ work with the center and getting involved with helping kids in need. If I was honest with myself, I liked it even more than being a nurse.

Diogo’s eyes lit up at the sight of the hot chocolate.

“Sorry, buddy, I asked them to go easy on the chocolate because we’re still monitoring your sugar levels, but it should be nice enough.”

He blew the steam off the hot drink and took a small sip.

“It’s nice, thank you. Are you going to call Social Services?”

“Diogo, I have friends that can help you. Since you say you’re eighteen, we won’t call Social Services, but I’d like you to speak to my friend Jean-Paul. Why don’t you have a rest today and we can talk again tomorrow. We’re keeping you in for observation, anyway. I’ll be back in the morning, okay?”

“Thank you, Max.”

“Be nice to the nurses and they’ll bring you more hot chocolate tonight,” I said before heading out.

There was no way I’d have a day off tomorrow. The thought pleased me more than it should.