Page 96 of Lance

“Miss Theresa gave me a sandwich,” he says and I feel a little bad for snapping at her. “But it was turkey. Ihateturkey.”

I laugh. “Wanna hit the vendingmachine?”

“Yes,please.”

I slide him off my lap and his eyes immediately go wide and fearful until I hold out my hand for him to hold. I buy him a granola bar, a bag of goldfish crackers, and an apple juice and we make our way back to our seats. Theresa has moved away a few feet but she remains in the waiting room, watchingus.

Dylan sits down next to me. “They’re not budging on the confidentiality front,” he says. “But Layla just texted. She thinks they’re about ten minutesout.”

“They must have left pretty quickly after us,” I say, helping Simon to open his crackers. “I’m kinda surprised James came, to behonest.”

His eyebrows furrow. “Don’t say that. He cares about you. One little fight isn’t going to changethat.”

I have a feeling that this is going to be a lot more than one little fight between us. I look down at Simon. I can’t worry about James rightnow.

“When is Willa going to wake up?” Simonasks.

“I’m not sure. She could be awake rightnow.”

“I bet she is,” he says, leaning his head against my side. “She’s prettytough.”

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Yeah, sheis.”

“She went on that roller coaster with us even though she was so scared!” I don’t mention that he was also prettyterrified.

“Mr. Foster?” I look up to see a man in a suit approaching us. “Mitch Marshfield,” he says. “From Gilligan and Ross. We met several monthsago.”

“Of course.” I don’t bother to hide my snappishness at the lawyer. Where in the hell has this guybeen?

“I’m so sorry for the delay, I had the wrong hospital,” he says sympathetically. “There were a lot of crossed wires tonight. I’m glad to see that Simon looks to be doingokay?”

“Yeah.” I jerk my thumb toward the still watching social worker. “Can you talk toher?”

“Absolutely,” he says, hurrying away. Well, that’s one less thing to worry about. Now if only James would gethere.

No sooner have I thought it do I see him dashing through the doors, his face lined with fear, Layla and Haylee behind him. “Go ahead,” I say to Dylan when he looks up and he hurries over to jointhem.

James huddles at the reception desk for a long moment before turning to the others. He says something and they all seem to sag with relief. I close my eyes.Please. When I open them, Dylan is rushing over. “She’s awake and in good condition,” he says. “A doctor is coming out to talk tohim.”

“Thank God,” Imutter.

Simon’s hand clutches at mine. “What’s thatmean?”

“It means Willa isokay.”

“Is she coming to seeme?”

“I’m not sure, buddy. Her brother James needs to talk to herdoctor.”

I watch as James finds a seat on the other side of the waiting room. He buries his head in his hands and Haylee pats him on the back before coming over to us. “I’m so glad you’re okay, Simon,” shesays.

“How is he?” I askquietly.

She shakes her head. “Freaked out. Scared for Willa. Plus he had to call his mom, and you know how she is.” I nod. “He’s glad about Simon,” she says. “He’s justtoo—”

“I understand. You should go sit with him.” I look at Dylan. “Both of you. We’refine.”

They head over to James, Dylan promising he’ll let me know what the doctor has to say. After a moment the social worker comes over to say goodbye to Simon, apparently satisfied by whatever the lawyer told her. Simon shrinks into my side when she approaches, not sitting up again until she’s gone. “Finish up your goldfish crackers,” I tellhim.