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I giggle when he runs his hands through his hair, making it worse.
“So, what did you do while I was gone?” Doni asked, sitting on the step below me so he was facing me.
“Not much.”
“You didn’t do anything? You stayed in the house all day?” His eyebrows scrunched together.
I nodded and looked away from his sad blue eyes.
“I’m sorry I was gone, Shorty. I missed you.” He takes something out of his pocket.
“Here.” He put something in my hand.
“What is it?” I stared at the gift in my hand and wanted to cry.
“I made it for you. Do you like it?”
I nodded, trying not to cry. There are different colored rocks glued to a round star shape plastic base.
“It’s a sun catcher thingy. Lacey, the camp counselor, said it would bring positive energy, like a rainbow,” Doni explained in a happy tone.
“Doni, I love it.”
“And I love you. Did you know that?”
“You love me?” I looked up to see a sweet smile on his face.
“Yep.” He nodded. “When I was at camp, I missed you and thought about you every day. I looked up at the stars at night and asked them to tell you I missed you. Did they tell you?”
“No, they didn’t tell me. You know they can’t talk, right?” I giggled.
Doni laughed. “I know. The teachers at the camp said it meant love. So, I love you.”
“That means that I love you too.” I hugged the suncatcher close to my chest.
“Always,” he promised, making an X across his chest.
“Like when we get old and gross? You’ll love me then?”
“Yeah, Shorty. Even when we’re old and gross.”
Chapter 13- Donovan
“Fuck.” My heart beats frantically when a powerful splintering noise comes out of Shorty.
“No, Jo! Come back!” she cries in her sleep.
I gather her into my arms and pull her to my chest, wrapping my arms tightly around her. Shorty’s nightmares have gotten worse since Josiah’s death. She begins to hiccup while her tears soak my shirt. Eventually, the sobs wear her out and she falls asleep in my arms.
Twenty minutes later, the night nurse comes in to check on Shorty and stops short with a genuine smile on her face when she sees Shorty wrapped around me like ivy. I play with Shorty’s curls while the nurse changes her IV fluid bag. “Do you need anything?” the nurse asks quietly.
I shake my head and smile, thanking her.
When she leaves the room, I kiss the top of Shorty’s head. “I’m so sorry, Shorty. I’m so fucking sorry,” I croak, feeling the weight of her sorrow and grief crashing down on me. I cry in the crook of her neck and pull her closer to me, wanting to feel her warmth.
I raise my head when I hear the door opening and see Seb standing in the doorway. He tips his chin in greeting and sits beside Shorty’s bed, then leans forward and grips the brim of his hat, wringing it in his hands.
“I can’t believe he’s fucking gone.” He blows out a breath and leans back, placing his hat back on his head.
