Page 27 of Leading the Blind
Bax spread his hands, looking for answers. “How are we gonna do this, Gramps? I ‘bout died when Ace caught Jason up at the show.”
“We’re gonna brazen it out like the whores we are. I can’t think of anything else to do.”
Bax chuckled. “I guess so. Lord, lord.”
Gramps winked at him. “What’s the worst thing that could happen?”
“Uh, we could get sued.”
“For what? No one’s asked us if he was blind.”
“No, but ain’t we endangering?—”
“Who? All us bullfighters and the gate pullers are in on it.” Coke snorted. “Jason ain’t being forced. What they gonna do?”
“I dunno. I’m scared he’ll get hurt again.” There it was. The worst that could happen.
“He could.”
And that was that, right? It was what their kind did, got hurt.
Coke shrugged. “He needs this, son.”
“I know. I’m hanging on, Gramps.”
“That’s all we can do. We got to make this happen. Jase is getting twitchy.”
“He is,” Bax agreed. “He’s wanting to get on to the realities of his life.”
“Then we finish this chapter up.”
“Right.” He grabbed Gramps’ arm. “Thanks. I mean it.”
“Sure, Andy. We’ll manage. Where’s Jase?”
“Sitting in the quiet.” The kids could wig Jason out fast. All but Benji. Mini loved that little boy and had the patience of a saint with him. It was bizarre.
“Unca Jason?” Benji clapped his hands. “I’ll take him a Coke.”
“He would love that, I bet.” Jason would never send Benj away.
“Okay. I’ll be careful.” Benji pulled out another Dr Pepper and walked off, his face a study in concentration.
Coke watched Benji with a soft smile, then turned to Andy. “Once it comes out, it’ll fall apart fast, but until that happens, we just keep praying.”
“Got it.” God knew he could pray. He had Jason-shaped calluses on his knees.
“You two look too serious, eh?” Dillon came bebopping over.
“Do I?” Coke wrapped one hand around Dillon’s waist.
“You do.” Dillon beamed, then nodded at him. “Jason did good at the event. I was pleased. He’s smarter than he looks.”
Bax snorted. “He’s smarter than me, for sure.”
“I ain’t smarter than no one,” Coke hummed, and the sound was familiar. Solid.
Dillon dug into Coke’s ribs. “You’re just as smart as you need to be.”
