Chapter One-Hundred and Seventeen
Chad smiled as John began to snore in the passenger seat as they drove, knowing that the recovery process had to be taking a lot out of this kid, mostly his energy. It was hard to imagine a child going through what he had, but the hardships he'd faced were plain to see; though he was only seventeen, he looked as though he could be in his mid-twenties, his eyes holding more pain and suffering than anyone ever wanted to see in a child. He thought about his own kids, remembering their heartbreak when he and his ex had told them about the divorce. He looked over as John whimpered in his sleep, seeing fear and pain on his face. "Hey, Bender." He gently nudged the kid awake, smiling as his dark eyes fluttered open when they pulled into the parking lot for Vinny's. "Want something to eat?" He asked, knowing that he was too thin, and having orders from his own mother to try and put weight on him.
John rubbed his eyes, stretching his limbs out until the muscles began to shake with relief from their cramped positioning. "Sure…"
Chad's brow furrowed, noticing that the kid didn't really seem that hungry. "How about a milkshake?"
John smiled sleepily, nodding at the idea of actually being allowed to eat sugar for once. "Yeah."
Chad chuckled, knowing that with the extra cream Vinny always put in the shakes that if John had them on a regular basis, he would start putting weight on in no time. "Come on, I'll introduce you."
Vinny chuckled as John sucked down the milkshake, looking over at Chad as he chowed down on his burger. "Kid acts like he's never had ice cream in his life."
Chad smiled, letting John steal one of his French fries. "Don't all kids act that way?" He laughed, pushing his plate toward John as he stuffed the last of his burger into his mouth.
Vinny shook his head as he watched John pour massive amounts of ketchup on the fries, noticing that his hands were scarred and his arms weren't much better. "You want another shake, kiddo?"
John shook his head, his stomach already unsettled from how sweet the drink had been. "No, thanks."
"How about a slice of cake?" Chad asked, hoping to get some weight on the kid.
"No, thanks." He pressed a hand to his stomach, trying to tell them that he was already full. "Stuffed."
Chad nodded, looking at his watch. "Well, we better get back to the shop. I gotta show you how to close since you've got the mechanic part down." He pushed out of his chair, laying a few bills of cash on the counter. "Thanks Vinny."
Vinny smiled, waving at the pair as they left his deli. "See you two later." He chuckled, noticing John's limp as he left. "Wonder what that kid went through…" He knew that John couldn't have had a good childhood from the signs on him, the scars, limp, and lack of fat show that clear enough… he just hoped that the kid was safe now.