Emmett looked at his mother, then back at Dale, then said: “Dale stay.”
Jessica’s eyes filled with tears. Emmett rarely spoke. His autism made verbal communication hard. But he’d said Dale’s name. He’d asked him to stay.
“No,” Emmett said firmly, gripping Dale’s vest tighter. “Dale stay.”
Dale stood up slowly, with Emmett still in his arms. Six hours in a chair while getting chemo had destroyed him. His legs barely worked. Snake had to catch him before he fell.
“Easy, brother,” Snake said.
Dale looked at Jessica. “Ma’am, I need to get back to my room. But… if you want, you could bring him by to visit? If it helps?”
Jessica was already nodding. “Yes. God, yes. Whatever helps him. You’re the first person who’s gotten through to him since we got here.”Continue reading…
