A Walk Through Fire by Felice Stevens

Author:Felice Stevens [Stevens, Felice]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: LGBT; Contemporary
Publisher: Loose Id LLC
Published: 2014-03-04T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

“Where the heck do you put it, kiddo?” Ash couldn’t help but laugh as Stevie came back with a second burrito, a bag of chips, and guacamole.

Instead of apologizing as he might have a month ago, Stevie grinned and peeled back the foil wrapping. “Hey, I’m a growing boy, like Dr. Drew’s cat.” He took a big messy bite and chewed away as he rummaged around in the bag for a handful of chips.

At the mention of Drew’s name, regret seared through Ash, leaving a bitterness he hadn’t thought possible. That night over two months ago now seemed almost dreamlike, and as the brightness of the memory turned hazy with the passage of time, he wondered if the feelings had truly been as intense as he recalled.

Better that they moved on with their separate lives. He leaned back in the chair, enjoying the sight of Stevie demolishing his Mexican food. After that talk with Keith, Stevie had started working at the clinic, helping Javier at the front desk. He’d gained confidence and even admitted to Ash he had a little crush on the older boy.

Stevie hadn’t mentioned any more abuse, and he’d begun to gain weight and grow, although Ash suspected it was meals like these and the ones Drew’s grandmother provided him at the clinic that contributed to his healthier look. “So, kiddo, you’re going into junior year of high school. Have you thought about what you want to do after you graduate, like college?”

Stevie chewed and swallowed. “I talked to Dr. Drew, and he said he’d help me with tests and my applications and stuff. I know I’m not smart enough to be a doctor, but I thought I could maybe be a technician or something.”

“You can be anything you want to be. Remember that.” Ash leaned forward, elbows on the table.

“Well, yeah, but my grades aren’t so good. I wanna help the doctors, you know?”

The excitement in Stevie’s eyes warmed Ash’s heart. To think that only two months ago he’d been a scared, shy child, afraid to look people in the eye or express an opinion. Now his confidence, while not at its peak, had certainly soared to heights never before imagined.

“Take your time, and when you get ready to apply, we’ll all be here to help.” Ash checked his watch and asked in what he hoped sounded like a casual voice, “You’ve gotten to be very friendly with Dr. Drew, haven’t you?”

Stevie’s eyes lit up. “Yeah, he’s really nice and friendly. Did you know he has a girlfriend? I met her when he invited me to his apartment. She came over, and we played with his cat.”

The taco chip he’d been holding crumbled to bits between Ash’s fingers. “No, I didn’t know. What’s her name?”

“Um, Shelly. She seemed nice. And she’s pretty.” He grinned. “I think she really likes him. She kept standing close to him and touching his shoulder.” He made a face. “I even caught them kissing once.”

Another good thing in his life he’d fucked up.

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