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Chapter 95
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Who We Love Chapter 96
"I thought you must have seen it by now. I heard that Tymen kid shopped it around and sold it to a cable news channel, then donated the money to the hospital fund. They bought the video of the entire attack. But he placed the shootout and you cutting the wires to the bombs on your class Facebook page. It was taken down within half an hour. But once you put something on the web, it remains 'out there' forever.” Governor said. "Parts of it have been played over and over on the news channels. I understand that your classmate was going to video you’re meeting and wound up getting the entire attack. He had the good sense to not post the first part where innocent teachers and students were shot. He felt the world should see the shootout and how you had enough faith in Mitchell to cut the wires he told you to cut. It still sends chills down my spine when I think about the nerve you kids displayed.""Theodore Tymen had his video camera there. Wow, it was unbelievable when I saw it in real ti
Who We Love Chapter 97
"You came when I needed you, Dad. Mitchell is healing, Dad. He's so brave. He killed the one shooter with his bare hands, then took the guy's guns and shot the other four. He saved all of us. He knew they'd shoot him when he entered the gym, but he came anyway. I just can't imagine knowingly entering a place where people will try to kill you. He's a real hero," Christine said."He's all of that," agreed Dan. "He could have simply left the area and been safe, but he took the much more difficult path. He put the lives of others before his own. That's pretty much the definition of hero. To think that I tried hitting him in the chin. What was I thinking?""As I recall, you were thinking that he had hurt your daughter, or dishonored her, and you acted as a good father would. Mitchell admires you for that. He told me he did. He always tells me what a good father I have. I guess he must miss his dad a lot and wants to be sure that I appreciate you and mom. I can't imagine what it must be l
Who We Love Chapter 98
"I guess staying at your place won't be so bad after all," grinned Mitchell. "Maybe you can ask Willow to come over and help now and then?""It seems like you're healing pretty fast, Buster," laughed Melissa. "I'll let Donna know that you're asking about Willow. She was pretty upset about the things that she saw and heard yesterday, but she was unwavering in her support of your actions."“Can I talk to Christine alone for a minute?” Mitchell asked.“Sure,” Melissa said pulling the girls out of the room.“Christine are you okay? I mean really, okay?” Mitchell asked.“Not really I just want to cry in your arms, but I can’t do that until you’re well,” Christine stated. “When you come and stay with us. I’ll cuddle and have a good cry in your arms if that is, okay?”“I would love that,” Mitchell said. “Could you come back alone so we can talk?”“Anything for you,” Christine kissed Mitchell softer at first and then it became more intense. “Please don’t die on me.”“If I lose you, I
Who We Love Chapter 99
Just as they finished dinner, the home phone rang. Melissa answered it and summoned Christine. "Hello, Christine. I don't know if you remember me. I'm John Dixon, but I go by William Ace. I worked the Mike Smith benefit, and you were girl dancing on YouTube. I've been asked to emcee a memorial tribute Saturday evening at the Church of Saints. It's that big church over on Third Street.”"I've been given carte blanche for this affair. The governor has agreed to speak. So has your school principal. The Chief of Police will have his moment in the sun, but mostly, I'm looking for students to speak, or perform. I want this to be a time of healing. The kids need that, as you well know. Would you be interested in speaking, or performing in some way? I know that dancing wouldn't be appropriate, but poetry, recollections, recitals. Hymns or nice songs would be fine.""A year ago, I would've been too nervous to do something like that, but I can tell you that I welcome the opportunity now. I'll
Who We Love Chapter 100
"You two do know that I'm standing right here?" asked Mitchell. "You should wait until my back's turned before you discuss this stuff. I never had any sisters and if I did, I'm sure they wouldn't be so Willing to share details like you sisters do.""I wish you had a brother," laughed Maddie. "We have enough girls to go around, but we need more Mitchells.""Getting back to your original question, Laura said I should be discharged tomorrow. She says that it's quite soon, considering I have two bullet wounds, but I'm healing already, and she thinks my spirits will pick up when I'm around your mom and Hailey, and maybe Willow,” Mitchell said."Really? Mom, Hailey, and Willow? Christine and I can raise a lot more than your spirits, stud. We'll take good care of you, won't we, Sis?""What's this 'we' stuff?" demanded Christine with a big grin. "I'll handle everything that comes up just fine. You'll be out shopping with Mom and Hailey.""Well, be sure to check for text messages if you'r
Who We Love Chapter 101
Dan drove the entire family, plus Mitchell, to the memorial service in his SUV. He dropped Christine and Mitchell off near the rear of the building so Mitchell would not have as far to hobble to reach backstage. Christine held his good arm as he tried to keep his right leg from moving very much. His bullet wound was high on his thigh and chaffed when he tried to walk on that leg. To lessen the rubbing, Mitchell tried to keep that leg immobile and rely on his left leg to provide motion. It all made for an awkward gait. Any step with either leg still caused some pain in his injury.When they arrived backstage, Mitchell and Christine were impressed with the caliber of speakers and performers present. A girl that finished in the top five in American Idol the previous year lived in their state. She had volunteered to sing "Amazing Grace". Cindy Burns and Laura Anderson were scheduled to speak. Governor O'Leary was scheduled to speak after the first prayer. The mayor and the police chief w
Who We Love Chapter 102
"Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, let me introduce the two students most responsible for preventing the recent shooter attack from being even more devastating to the Highland Nation. Risking their lives to save others seems to be commonplace for these two. I give to you, Christine Leonard and Mitchell Kays."Christine held Mitchell's hand as they slowly made their way to the microphone. Mitchell's difficulty in walking required almost half a minute for the couple to reach it. As Christine helped Mitchell hobble forward, the crowd stood and applauded. After they reached the microphone, the crowd continued the applause. Christine and Mitchell both smiled slightly and nodded. Then Christine stepped back from Mitchell and gestured toward him, and the applause increased.Surprised, Mitchell raised his flat palm toward Christine in the same universal sign used when indicating others for praise. Once again, the applause increased. Christine smiled and stepped back to take Mitchel
Who We Love Chapter 103
"I want everyone to know that I will always have the backs of these three friends. Liam and Jared are now my brothers, and Christine is... everything. Anytime, anyplace, I'll be there if they ever need me."When I was a little more than a child, my grandfather died. My mother sang a beautiful song to me to help me feel better. She told me that her mother used to sing it to her in sad times. We all wonder why this terrible thing happened, and why it happened to us. There are no good reasons. How do you explain intolerance, envy, hatred, and fear? Just know that there is either a plan for us all, or everything in life is totally random. Your choice, but either way, you have to learn to accept what we cannot explain. I hope that Christine will help me with one final song, the song by John Lennon and Paul McCartney that my mother used to sing to me."Mitchell began playing a familiar tune on the piano and at the appropriate moment, sang into the microphone. "Imagine there’s no heaven it
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