Chapter 10
Joe is dead.
A sob comes from the depths of my soul. I destroyed my partner, my best friend, my brother.
No fixing this. How do I live carrying this around? How did Joe do this after Iola died?
Something bumps my arm. A hand. It feels its way
up my shoulder.
"S'okay, Frank," a familiar voice says.
"You jumped," I whisper.
"No. I was on the window ledge," Joe says. "When I heard you… I couldn't do it. Hey, where's the bed?"
I put a hand on Joe's shoulder and lead him carefully to his hospital bed.
Joe puts down a hand and feels the mattress.
"OK, take a load off," Joe says. "But don't hog the bed."
I collapse more than lie down. Everything is catching up with me. Joe plops down beside me.
"Joe, I'm sorry…if I could trade places…."
"I know," Joe says.
"No," I say. "I-I ruined everything."
"We'll figure it out," Joe says.
"Never knew how hard it was…being you…until my car blew up," I whisper. "I feel everything you felt after Iola died."
"No," Joe whispers. "You don't. I'm here. Iola's dead."
He's right.
"How do you do it?" I whisper.
"Lots of night runs," Joe says. "Con has stopped me a couple times when I was out running at midnight. He wanted to know what I was doing. Couldn't figure out how to tell him I was trying not to go crazy."
I squeeze Joe's shoulder.
"I gave it to God," Joe whispers. "Think that's stupid?"
Can't believe my opinion still matters to him.
"No," I say.
"Have to believe I'll see Iola again," Joe says. "Have a chance to tell her I'm sorry."
"Why did you almost jump?" I ask and try to hide my anger.
"Scared you'd feel bad every time you saw me," Joe says. "So you'd shut me out."
I put my arm around him.
"Like I did this past year?" I ask.
"No…I….," Joe stutters.
"I messed up," I say. "I want to fix it. Give me one more chance?"
Dad walks into the room.
"Edward's being processed in the police station," Dad says. "How are you two doing?"
"Better," I say.
"Called in a few favors," Dad says. "A top eye doctor is flying down tomorrow to examine Joe's eyes."
"Good," I say.
Acting normal is hard. I almost lost Joe tonight…twice. But I can't tell Dad about the window. That's Joe's decision.
"You fired Edward?" Joe asks.
"Yes," Dad says and sits on Joe's bed.
"Why? Before tonight, he was the perfect employee," Joe says. "Organized. On time. Good with paperwork. Never lost anything."
"Sociopath," Dad says. "Joe, I'm sorry."
"Hey, he fooled me too," Joe says.
"Edward made me feel important," Dad says. "Should have checked with both of you before I brought him into the agency."
"S'okay Dad," Joe says and yawns.
He leans his head on my shoulder.
"I'll take the first watch outside the room," Dad says.
Dad leaves the room.
"Frank?" Joe says.
"Yes," I say.
"Thanks for not telling," Joe whispers.
Joe falls asleep.
Thank God Joe forgives too easily.