<b>Chapter </b><b>208 </b>
He whispers as Lucas snickers. I let out a low growl stopping them both. I step behind Cole’s chair, cing my hand on <b>his </b>shoulder.
“Lean your head back against me and look around the table. Tell me what you would like<b>,</b><b>” </b>
It takes him a minute toply, I can feel his hesitation with touching me. It doesn’t seem to matter that we were justying together, his nervousness remains the same.
Once his head is against my chest I start naming off the dishes on the table.
“We’ve got pot roast with diced potatoes, carrots, onion and celery. Green beans sautéed with onions and bacon. Macaroni and cheese and dinner rolls. <b>I. </b>know the spread isn’t as big as the dining hall or banquet hall but there’s got to be something you’re interested in eating.”
He leans forward looking at the table before opening his mouth as if to say something. He sighs with a huff as he leans back against me. I patiently wait for his response as I run my fingertips along his shoulder.
“I guess I’ll have a little of the meat and vegetables that are with it. Just keep it small. I don’t like wasting and I really don’t think I’m going to be able to eat tonight.”
“I need you to try.” I emphasize gently, handing him a pack of Zofran. “This will help ease any queasiness you have.”
He nods his head in understanding as I give him the same serving I give to my girls and set it down in front of him before serving my own te. He concentrates on his te, staying out of the conversation going on around him as <b>I </b>take my seat.
I remain silent as well, simply observing the bodynguage of everyone there while <b>I </b><b>eat</b><b>. </b>Patrick and his son have joined <b>us</b><b>, </b>as they do most nights<b>. </b>Parker is actively talking about the Super Bowling up in a few <b>weeks</b>.
“Do you watch or y any sports, Cole?”
Patrick surprises me with a desire to include Cole in the conversation.
“No sir. I wasn’t allowed anything extra at school and justpleting high school was a huge struggle after I turned fifteen.”
“What happened? You couldn’t handle the work? I mean you can’t be that stupid if you’ve <b>yet </b>to get caught diddling little girls.”
My stomach jolts at the sound of such viciousness.
“Lucas, you have been warned about yourments.”
“You’re mean, Luke.” Madilyn cries as she hits Luke in the head.
“Hey, don’t do that.” Lucas protests <b>as </b>she hits him again.
“Madilyn, stop!” His voice is clear andmanding. Everyone freezes <b>as </b>she stares at Cole. “Revenge <b>is </b>ugly. You must never seek it.”
“But he hurt you. It hurts me when he hurts you.”
She has tears in her <b>eyes </b>as he goes silent again, looking down at his te chasing his meat around with his fork.
“I got sick.” Everyone but Cole looks up at the sound of his <b>voice</b><b>. </b>
“When I was fifteen I ended up in the hospital for two months with septicemia. When I got out, I had no immune system so the doctor insisted that <b>I </b><b>switch </b>to virtual learning for the rest of the year. My school gave my father the information on how to enroll me since I had a medical note he could start me <b>at </b>any time and they would allow me to make up the work.
He never enrolled me into the virtual academy which forced them to fail me instead. I wasn’t the same when I returned to repeat ninth <b>grade </b>in September. The principal and teachers didn’t like the situation they were seeing with me and wanted to help. So, they went behind dad’s <b>back </b>and purchased aptop, modem and wifi setup so I could connect to the inte anytime I was unable to attend school.
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<b>Chapter </b><b>208 </b>
<b>Despite </b><b>their </b>efforts <b>to </b>amodate <b>my </b>needs, <b>by </b>January of the next year my attendance was so spotty that it <b>was </b>proving difficult for me <b>my </b><b>work</b>. The principal ended up pulling me into his office and convinced me to participate in a series of tests. It was only after he had <b>the </b>reso <b>told </b>me what they were for. I ended up in a meeting with the principal, counselor, social worker from the council and several of my teachers.
The results of my tests were impressive but myck of attendance <b>was </b>creating issues despite their efforts to create a hybrid learning situation for me. It <b>was </b>only because I <b>was </b>sixteen and allowed to officially withdraw myself from school that the council was willing to leave my father out of the mering <b>They </b>allowed me to decide on my own and I agreed to their rmendations.
After midterms, they enrolled me into a virtual high school that was self–paced and ran all year. I finished my freshman year by the end of <b>March</b><b>. </b><b>Started </b><b>my </b>sophomore year in April, worked through the summer and I waspletely caught up and starting my junior year by September, I found <b>myself </b><b>starting </b>my senior year near the end of January and ultimately finished my senior year by the end of June.”
<b>Chapter </b><b>Comments </b>
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