Page 143 of Never Forget

He didn't argue.

"Help her."

"Cap."

"Help her. You can figure out the rest once you're standing in it. You don't have to have it all worked out before you walk through the door. Nobody does."

He was quiet for a long time.

"What if she's not what I think she is?"

"Then you'll deal with it when you get there. But Cole." I waited until he looked at me. "You've been standing at this fence for forty minutes. You're already in. You just haven't said yes out loud yet."

He looked at the ground. Then at the yard. Then at nothing.

"Yeah."

He pushed off the fence. Rolled his shoulders. Took a long pull off the beer like he was finally tasting it.

"Thanks, Cap."

"Don't thank me. Go think about it."

He nodded once. Walked off across the yard. Said goodbye to Jamie on his way out. Patted Ben on the head in passing. Made Ben laugh.

Then he was gone.

I stayed by the fence.

Eighteen years ago I'd been the one standing still. I'd been the one with the beer in my hand and no idea what to do with what was happening to me. Jack had been the one who would have come over and leaned against the fence next to me. Jack had been the one who would have said the thing.

Jack didn't get to.

I'd been the one who stood next to Cole just now. I'd been the one who said it.

That was what Jack had done for me, in every way that mattered, every day he was alive.

That was what I'd just done for Cole.

To be continued in Never Alone