A Balance of Harmonies: Anytime Now
Feb. 11th, 2012 09:27 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
frogs_of_warI am so tired. I spent most of last night in that fuzzy stage between wake and sleep. Or at least it felt that way. Because the Super Bowl landed where it did and certain thing weren't shipped when they were supposed to be, the floral department has to cram all our decorating into just over a week instead of two and a half. Add to that, the front won't let us have experienced employees for the run up and we have been stuck with people who have to be told everything, one of which couldn't come in for four hours of this weeks shifts.
We are behind. Really behind. And as I was scheduled for forty hours, I can't stay extra to finish what hasn't been done. We can only sell what we've have and we don't have time to make everything we should, such as blow up all the balloons (which still isn't done) .
But I get tomorrow off before I have to dive in for the final two days, so maybe if I rest up, this cold (or whatever it is) will go away.
Title: Anytime Now
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter fifty-six of
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: wind, voicemail, reassurance, the need for comfort, waking, a message, sunrise, a kiss, choices, no shame, lunch, companionship, a bet, blushes
Length: about 2,500 words
Summary: Peregrine has a serious discussion. Kurt leaves his men a message. Emil blushes.
Master list
Peregrine walked across the dark hospital parking lot. Emil was right. The wind was blowing hard. They might even get some rain. Calling from the car would be more comfortable.
He had seven voice mails and twelve texts. People couldn’t live without him. Zan and Autumn’s was simply to wish him the best and hope his father got well soon. A few more were like that from people Peregrine knew less well. The one from Greg was that his family was ready to cook meals or anything else that was needed, which was a nice surprise from his normal nagging, but he ruined that by following up with a text saying he’d be there for Peregrine if Peregrine just said the word and another saying that he was going to try to visit his folks this weekend, Peregrine would see him then. As if Peregrine needed him or something.
Mike’s text was about Kurt’s plan for the boys. Even if Dad got better overnight and Peregrine went straight home, he hoped his friends would continue with their plans for his boys. Every little thing helped. Even what might be a boring tour for most of the boys might be the spark of hope for that one that leads him to a brighter future.
Hunter had called three times, but hadn’t left a message. Peregrine sent him a text. If you’re awake, call me.
Less than a minute later, he did. From the echo he was probably in a bathroom stall. From the quickness of the call, he’d probably been in it with his phone out. Poor kid. He had such a hard time sleeping with other people in the room.
“Olivia’s dad wants me to live with him.”
Peregrine wished his could pat Hunter’s shoulder. “He does. He wants to give you a family and your own room.”
Hunter’s breath hitched. “With a lock?”
Liam and Willow had one. Peregrine wasn’t so sure about Olivia. “If you want one.”
“I…”
The poor kid was worried, wasn’t he?
“Keith isn’t going to want sex with you. Neither is Casey or Liam or Willow or anyone. A lock won’t lock a bad guy in your room where no one can save you. I don’t want you anywhere near someone who would hurt you.”
Hunter sniffed. “It doesn’t always hurt.”
That poor, poor child. “If someone has sex with you or touches you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, it hurt me.”
“You?”
“Yes, you are just a kid. No kid should have to put up with something like that even if it doesn’t always hurt.” Time for a slight subject change. “I heard you have an appointment this week.”
“JJ doesn’t want me to go.”
“What JJ wants isn’t always the best for him, let alone for you. Andre and I both want you to go.”
“So does Kit.”
“Good.” Peregrine wanted to stand at Hunter’s back and encourage him along the right trails in life. He could only do that metaphorically at the moment. “Are you going with Olivia again?”
Hunter sucked in a breath. “Not this time.”
Did he want to talk about something that might upset beautiful, innocent little Olivia. That was a good sign. Most of his life would upset her. “Do you want me to go with you?”
Hunter said nothing.
“I can try to be home by Friday…”
“No. Stay. Kurt says your dad needs you.”
Peregrine smiled. “He’s sleeping right now. But he was awake for a while.”
Peregrine didn’t want to say too much. Hunter’s home life must have been pretty awful. He probably didn’t have a dad he remembered fondly. He wouldn’t understand. “Kurt could go with you.”
“I thought maybe…” The sound of soft steps echoed through the phone.
“Hunter, go to bed.” Andre’s voice carried over the line.
“Tell him you’re talking to me.”
“It’s Peregrine.”
A moment later, Andre spoke into the phone. “Kind of late, isn’t it?”
“My dad woke up, so I’m on edge. I’m trying to convince Hunter to take Kurt with him on Friday. I don’t think he’s ready to go alone and he’s not going to say what he needs to say with Olivia there, so hand him back the phone and I’ll try my luck.”
“Ok then.” Andre sounded amused. “But, Hunter, when you’re done talking to Peregrine, go to bed.”
Steps retreated.
“Will you take Kurt?”
“Will he come?”
“Yes. Just ask him. Or do you want me too?”
Hunter didn’t answer. That was a yes. “I’ll call him in the morning and have him text you or something. Maybe he can take you out for dinner afterward or something. People eat out with their siblings and Kurt thinks of you as a brother.”
Hunter’s answer was a slow, “Maybe.”
“Then I’ll let him know. And, Hunter, I wouldn’t send you anywhere you aren’t safe.”
Peregrine waited in the car for a few minutes after Hunter hung up. He didn’t want to miss it if Hunter called back. But more than anything Peregrine wanted to cuddle in Emil’s arms and forget such a world existed that had produced that distrustful little boy. Hunter had every reason to not trust anyone. Peregrine would save his boys from that life, one lost soul at a time.
--
Kurt’s alarm buzzed and buzzed, but he didn’t want to wake up. In his dream he pulled Emil against him as the smell of coffee permeated the condo. But the moment he woke his men would be hundreds of miles away. He wanted to sleep until they came home. Or at least until he got a few more hours. He hadn’t been able to sleep until he’d talked to Emil. The bed had been too lonely.
He should make sure he talked to Emil at an earlier hour tonight. He should text him right now. He opened his eyes and grabbed his phone. Since he couldn’t touch his lover right now, he called him and left a very loving, and hopefully sexy, message. Then, after he washed his hands, he left a text saying that message should be listened to alone or with just Peregrine.
He felt much, much better. It was time to start his day.
--
Emil blinked sleepy from his eyes. He’d slept after all. But Peregrine hadn’t judging from the pile of filled notebooks and the empty lead container on the end table. Emil would need to find an art store.
He sat up and stretched. A nurse came in with a smile. She was as perky as she had been before midnight. John grunted a complaint when she checked his blood pressure. She smiled indulgently and patted his arm as she stepped away from the bed. He was asleep again before she closed the door.
Emil brain still felt asleep. He needed another shower.
Peregrine looked up and then back at his sketch. “You can go get breakfast.”
Emil shook his head.
“Mom will be here in an hour or so, once they kids are at school.”
Emil dragged himself to his feet and walked over to the window. The sun was coming up over the small hills between the town and the sea. Maybe once Peregrine’s dad was better, Peregrine and Emil could go down to the beach. Peregrine said the water was as cold as on the Oregon coast, but then Emil hadn’t had much change to visit the coast anywhere. His foster families never took him and since then he’d lived on his own. He had a faint memory of being driven down a hill and the ocean looking like a cliff face rising in front of him, but he could have imagined that.
He turned to Peregrine. “Would you like me to get you some coffee?”
“Yes, please,” said John.
Peregrine laughed. “I don’t know if you’re allowed caffeine, but Emil will find out. Dad likes it like I do.”
He touched Emil’s hand then pulled him in for a kiss. Emil opened his mouth and was well rewarded.
“Anytime now, boys.”
Peregrine pulled away slowly then turned to his father. “I am so going to make you feel lucky I never brought a boyfriend home when I was a teenager.”
“I’ve had other teenagers since, you know.”
“Sure Dad, but there’s no one in the world like me.”
Now if that wasn’t the truth, then what was? Emil, thoroughly revived by the kiss, nearly skipped out into the hall to find a nurse. The sun was out and Peregrine loved him. All was right with the world.
--
Peregrine looked over Dad’s choices for vegan breakfasts. “There is always oatmeal.”
“There is always oatmeal.” Dad sighed. “But the thought of lukewarm, congealed—“
Peregrine held up a hand. “I don’t want to think about it either. Why don’t we start with a fruit cup?”
“What? My first meal in days and I only get a cup?”
Peregrine should have left this for his mother. “Eat the cup and take the edge of your hunger.”
Dad opened his mouth and then closed it and sighed. “You come all the way down here to see me and I’m acting like a kid. Sorry.”
Peregrine put his hand over Dad’s. “Personally I’m glad you’re acting like anything. But then if you annoy me too much I can always go home.”
Dad put his hand over his heart. “And abandoned your dear old dad in his time of need.”
Peregrine sighed. “I see you haven’t taken my advice and gotten acting lessons.”
Mom walked in the door. “You two!”
Peregrine wiggled his fingers at Emil who had come in behind her. Emil stepped up, leaned against Peregrine’s back and wrapped his arms around him. He felt so good and warm and comfortable.
“Peregrine here tells me that he and Emil are going to have me walking around soon in self defense against their public displays of affection.”
Peregrine smiled. “Should we start now?”
He turned and pulled Emil against him. Emil’s eyes were dark and half lidded. Peregrine nibbled Emil’s earlobe. “Did Kurt call?”
“He left a message.” Emil breathed on Peregrine’s neck. Peregrine growled and snatched Emil’s lips.
“Until then, Dear,” said Mom. “You’ll just have to close your eyes.”
Peregrine tugged Emil to the wide chair and pulled the curtain around the bed to block his parent’s view. Then he fell upon Emil as if his parents weren’t in the room, like they were alone in the world.
Dad yelled, “Doors open!”
And then Mom laughed. “Do you really want to see what they are doing? I don’t think an open door is going to make them stop.”
Dad sighed. “They know no shame.”
Peregrine kissed Emil cheek and neck. Then pulled away long enough to say, “I’m doing nothing to be ashamed of.”
Then he proved it to Emil with his lips, fingers, and tongue. He only meant to rile his father up a bit, but Emil was so hot and eager for his touch that Peregrine didn’t stop. But they didn’t remove any clothing. He didn’t want to give the nurse a heart attack. This would prove to his dad that he was no longer going to put up with those little jabs at his sexuality. Peregrine had grown up and now he was a force to reckon with.
--
Kurt looked up as Zawadzki and Ezra stopped in his doorway. Zawadzki nodded down the hall. “Lunch?”
Kurt held up a finger and finished the email. He hit send and stood up. He’d probably get a reply before he was done eating. He stomach rumbled. He needed food. He hadn’t had enough breakfast. Food didn’t taste as good when eaten alone.
His phone rang, but this time it was his cell. He pulled his phone out as he followed the others to the elevator. Veronica, Beka, and Chambers were already there. The call was from the youth shelter. Had something happened? “Hello?”
“Kurt? Do you have a minute?”
The elevator doors opened. Kurt waved them all to go on and turned around. “Is it about this afternoon?”
“No. I just,” Andre took a deep breath. “You, and your company, seem a font of information about grants and scholarships. Do you know of one especially for boys that age out of homeless shelters?”
Kurt hadn’t heard of one, but that didn’t mean such didn’t exist.
“Age out?”
“Boys without a male parent are not allowed in most homeless shelters after their ten birthdays. I’m got a little boy, child of a single mother who lost her job and then her house. He’s going to be ten in a matter of weeks. I’ve got a waiting list with more kids on it than sleep in the shelter at night. I need someone to pay for a bed specifically for this boy, or he’ll spend his tenth birthday on the streets.”
And become yet another wounded child. “I will do what I can.”
Kurt closed his phone. Ezra and Veronica were waiting for him. He explained the problem in the elevator and again at the reception desk. Pam was typing away before he finished speaking. “I think I know just the thing.”
Kurt grinned at her. His stomach rumbled again. Veronica took his arm. “We better feed the beast.”
Ezra smiled. Kurt allowed himself to be lead to the den of delicious food.
Zawadzki handed Kurt a great smelling bag. “We treated you to lunch but before you opened it, was the call business or pleasure?”
Kurt’s stomach growled loudly. “Neither. Charity. The youth shelter I asked for help with yesterday.”
Beka laughed. “Now Zawadzki owes you seconds.”
Kurt gobbled down his food as Ezra explained what the shelter needed. Zawadzki frowned. “My uncle might be able to help. He’s looking for a place to donate enough to get him a tax deduction. How much do they need?”
Kurt shook his head. His mouth was full.
“And do they have room for another kid?” asked Chambers. “I thought they were at capacity?”
Kurt finished chewing and swallowed. “Andre would rather shelter only the amount he can help. The ceilings are high enough that the bunk beds could be triples instead of doubles, twenty-one rather than fourteen kids per room, but he doesn’t have funds to prove services to all those kids. He can feed, clothe, and school a finite number.”
Zawadzki handed Kurt a second bag. Yum. Companionship really did make food taste better.
--
Emil blushed as he walked out of John’s hospital room. He needed a few minutes to clean up. He blushed deeper. He couldn’t believe they did that with his parents in the room, curtain or no curtain. But Peregrine had wanted it and it had been worth it even if it made Emil blush for the rest of the week.
We are behind. Really behind. And as I was scheduled for forty hours, I can't stay extra to finish what hasn't been done. We can only sell what we've have and we don't have time to make everything we should, such as blow up all the balloons (which still isn't done) .
But I get tomorrow off before I have to dive in for the final two days, so maybe if I rest up, this cold (or whatever it is) will go away.
Title: Anytime Now
Series: A Balance of Harmonies (Three)
Status: Chapter fifty-six of
Genre: m/m romance, drama, city life, businessmen
Rating: R
Content: wind, voicemail, reassurance, the need for comfort, waking, a message, sunrise, a kiss, choices, no shame, lunch, companionship, a bet, blushes
Length: about 2,500 words
Summary: Peregrine has a serious discussion. Kurt leaves his men a message. Emil blushes.
Master list
Peregrine walked across the dark hospital parking lot. Emil was right. The wind was blowing hard. They might even get some rain. Calling from the car would be more comfortable.
He had seven voice mails and twelve texts. People couldn’t live without him. Zan and Autumn’s was simply to wish him the best and hope his father got well soon. A few more were like that from people Peregrine knew less well. The one from Greg was that his family was ready to cook meals or anything else that was needed, which was a nice surprise from his normal nagging, but he ruined that by following up with a text saying he’d be there for Peregrine if Peregrine just said the word and another saying that he was going to try to visit his folks this weekend, Peregrine would see him then. As if Peregrine needed him or something.
Mike’s text was about Kurt’s plan for the boys. Even if Dad got better overnight and Peregrine went straight home, he hoped his friends would continue with their plans for his boys. Every little thing helped. Even what might be a boring tour for most of the boys might be the spark of hope for that one that leads him to a brighter future.
Hunter had called three times, but hadn’t left a message. Peregrine sent him a text. If you’re awake, call me.
Less than a minute later, he did. From the echo he was probably in a bathroom stall. From the quickness of the call, he’d probably been in it with his phone out. Poor kid. He had such a hard time sleeping with other people in the room.
“Olivia’s dad wants me to live with him.”
Peregrine wished his could pat Hunter’s shoulder. “He does. He wants to give you a family and your own room.”
Hunter’s breath hitched. “With a lock?”
Liam and Willow had one. Peregrine wasn’t so sure about Olivia. “If you want one.”
“I…”
The poor kid was worried, wasn’t he?
“Keith isn’t going to want sex with you. Neither is Casey or Liam or Willow or anyone. A lock won’t lock a bad guy in your room where no one can save you. I don’t want you anywhere near someone who would hurt you.”
Hunter sniffed. “It doesn’t always hurt.”
That poor, poor child. “If someone has sex with you or touches you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, it hurt me.”
“You?”
“Yes, you are just a kid. No kid should have to put up with something like that even if it doesn’t always hurt.” Time for a slight subject change. “I heard you have an appointment this week.”
“JJ doesn’t want me to go.”
“What JJ wants isn’t always the best for him, let alone for you. Andre and I both want you to go.”
“So does Kit.”
“Good.” Peregrine wanted to stand at Hunter’s back and encourage him along the right trails in life. He could only do that metaphorically at the moment. “Are you going with Olivia again?”
Hunter sucked in a breath. “Not this time.”
Did he want to talk about something that might upset beautiful, innocent little Olivia. That was a good sign. Most of his life would upset her. “Do you want me to go with you?”
Hunter said nothing.
“I can try to be home by Friday…”
“No. Stay. Kurt says your dad needs you.”
Peregrine smiled. “He’s sleeping right now. But he was awake for a while.”
Peregrine didn’t want to say too much. Hunter’s home life must have been pretty awful. He probably didn’t have a dad he remembered fondly. He wouldn’t understand. “Kurt could go with you.”
“I thought maybe…” The sound of soft steps echoed through the phone.
“Hunter, go to bed.” Andre’s voice carried over the line.
“Tell him you’re talking to me.”
“It’s Peregrine.”
A moment later, Andre spoke into the phone. “Kind of late, isn’t it?”
“My dad woke up, so I’m on edge. I’m trying to convince Hunter to take Kurt with him on Friday. I don’t think he’s ready to go alone and he’s not going to say what he needs to say with Olivia there, so hand him back the phone and I’ll try my luck.”
“Ok then.” Andre sounded amused. “But, Hunter, when you’re done talking to Peregrine, go to bed.”
Steps retreated.
“Will you take Kurt?”
“Will he come?”
“Yes. Just ask him. Or do you want me too?”
Hunter didn’t answer. That was a yes. “I’ll call him in the morning and have him text you or something. Maybe he can take you out for dinner afterward or something. People eat out with their siblings and Kurt thinks of you as a brother.”
Hunter’s answer was a slow, “Maybe.”
“Then I’ll let him know. And, Hunter, I wouldn’t send you anywhere you aren’t safe.”
Peregrine waited in the car for a few minutes after Hunter hung up. He didn’t want to miss it if Hunter called back. But more than anything Peregrine wanted to cuddle in Emil’s arms and forget such a world existed that had produced that distrustful little boy. Hunter had every reason to not trust anyone. Peregrine would save his boys from that life, one lost soul at a time.
--
Kurt’s alarm buzzed and buzzed, but he didn’t want to wake up. In his dream he pulled Emil against him as the smell of coffee permeated the condo. But the moment he woke his men would be hundreds of miles away. He wanted to sleep until they came home. Or at least until he got a few more hours. He hadn’t been able to sleep until he’d talked to Emil. The bed had been too lonely.
He should make sure he talked to Emil at an earlier hour tonight. He should text him right now. He opened his eyes and grabbed his phone. Since he couldn’t touch his lover right now, he called him and left a very loving, and hopefully sexy, message. Then, after he washed his hands, he left a text saying that message should be listened to alone or with just Peregrine.
He felt much, much better. It was time to start his day.
--
Emil blinked sleepy from his eyes. He’d slept after all. But Peregrine hadn’t judging from the pile of filled notebooks and the empty lead container on the end table. Emil would need to find an art store.
He sat up and stretched. A nurse came in with a smile. She was as perky as she had been before midnight. John grunted a complaint when she checked his blood pressure. She smiled indulgently and patted his arm as she stepped away from the bed. He was asleep again before she closed the door.
Emil brain still felt asleep. He needed another shower.
Peregrine looked up and then back at his sketch. “You can go get breakfast.”
Emil shook his head.
“Mom will be here in an hour or so, once they kids are at school.”
Emil dragged himself to his feet and walked over to the window. The sun was coming up over the small hills between the town and the sea. Maybe once Peregrine’s dad was better, Peregrine and Emil could go down to the beach. Peregrine said the water was as cold as on the Oregon coast, but then Emil hadn’t had much change to visit the coast anywhere. His foster families never took him and since then he’d lived on his own. He had a faint memory of being driven down a hill and the ocean looking like a cliff face rising in front of him, but he could have imagined that.
He turned to Peregrine. “Would you like me to get you some coffee?”
“Yes, please,” said John.
Peregrine laughed. “I don’t know if you’re allowed caffeine, but Emil will find out. Dad likes it like I do.”
He touched Emil’s hand then pulled him in for a kiss. Emil opened his mouth and was well rewarded.
“Anytime now, boys.”
Peregrine pulled away slowly then turned to his father. “I am so going to make you feel lucky I never brought a boyfriend home when I was a teenager.”
“I’ve had other teenagers since, you know.”
“Sure Dad, but there’s no one in the world like me.”
Now if that wasn’t the truth, then what was? Emil, thoroughly revived by the kiss, nearly skipped out into the hall to find a nurse. The sun was out and Peregrine loved him. All was right with the world.
--
Peregrine looked over Dad’s choices for vegan breakfasts. “There is always oatmeal.”
“There is always oatmeal.” Dad sighed. “But the thought of lukewarm, congealed—“
Peregrine held up a hand. “I don’t want to think about it either. Why don’t we start with a fruit cup?”
“What? My first meal in days and I only get a cup?”
Peregrine should have left this for his mother. “Eat the cup and take the edge of your hunger.”
Dad opened his mouth and then closed it and sighed. “You come all the way down here to see me and I’m acting like a kid. Sorry.”
Peregrine put his hand over Dad’s. “Personally I’m glad you’re acting like anything. But then if you annoy me too much I can always go home.”
Dad put his hand over his heart. “And abandoned your dear old dad in his time of need.”
Peregrine sighed. “I see you haven’t taken my advice and gotten acting lessons.”
Mom walked in the door. “You two!”
Peregrine wiggled his fingers at Emil who had come in behind her. Emil stepped up, leaned against Peregrine’s back and wrapped his arms around him. He felt so good and warm and comfortable.
“Peregrine here tells me that he and Emil are going to have me walking around soon in self defense against their public displays of affection.”
Peregrine smiled. “Should we start now?”
He turned and pulled Emil against him. Emil’s eyes were dark and half lidded. Peregrine nibbled Emil’s earlobe. “Did Kurt call?”
“He left a message.” Emil breathed on Peregrine’s neck. Peregrine growled and snatched Emil’s lips.
“Until then, Dear,” said Mom. “You’ll just have to close your eyes.”
Peregrine tugged Emil to the wide chair and pulled the curtain around the bed to block his parent’s view. Then he fell upon Emil as if his parents weren’t in the room, like they were alone in the world.
Dad yelled, “Doors open!”
And then Mom laughed. “Do you really want to see what they are doing? I don’t think an open door is going to make them stop.”
Dad sighed. “They know no shame.”
Peregrine kissed Emil cheek and neck. Then pulled away long enough to say, “I’m doing nothing to be ashamed of.”
Then he proved it to Emil with his lips, fingers, and tongue. He only meant to rile his father up a bit, but Emil was so hot and eager for his touch that Peregrine didn’t stop. But they didn’t remove any clothing. He didn’t want to give the nurse a heart attack. This would prove to his dad that he was no longer going to put up with those little jabs at his sexuality. Peregrine had grown up and now he was a force to reckon with.
--
Kurt looked up as Zawadzki and Ezra stopped in his doorway. Zawadzki nodded down the hall. “Lunch?”
Kurt held up a finger and finished the email. He hit send and stood up. He’d probably get a reply before he was done eating. He stomach rumbled. He needed food. He hadn’t had enough breakfast. Food didn’t taste as good when eaten alone.
His phone rang, but this time it was his cell. He pulled his phone out as he followed the others to the elevator. Veronica, Beka, and Chambers were already there. The call was from the youth shelter. Had something happened? “Hello?”
“Kurt? Do you have a minute?”
The elevator doors opened. Kurt waved them all to go on and turned around. “Is it about this afternoon?”
“No. I just,” Andre took a deep breath. “You, and your company, seem a font of information about grants and scholarships. Do you know of one especially for boys that age out of homeless shelters?”
Kurt hadn’t heard of one, but that didn’t mean such didn’t exist.
“Age out?”
“Boys without a male parent are not allowed in most homeless shelters after their ten birthdays. I’m got a little boy, child of a single mother who lost her job and then her house. He’s going to be ten in a matter of weeks. I’ve got a waiting list with more kids on it than sleep in the shelter at night. I need someone to pay for a bed specifically for this boy, or he’ll spend his tenth birthday on the streets.”
And become yet another wounded child. “I will do what I can.”
Kurt closed his phone. Ezra and Veronica were waiting for him. He explained the problem in the elevator and again at the reception desk. Pam was typing away before he finished speaking. “I think I know just the thing.”
Kurt grinned at her. His stomach rumbled again. Veronica took his arm. “We better feed the beast.”
Ezra smiled. Kurt allowed himself to be lead to the den of delicious food.
Zawadzki handed Kurt a great smelling bag. “We treated you to lunch but before you opened it, was the call business or pleasure?”
Kurt’s stomach growled loudly. “Neither. Charity. The youth shelter I asked for help with yesterday.”
Beka laughed. “Now Zawadzki owes you seconds.”
Kurt gobbled down his food as Ezra explained what the shelter needed. Zawadzki frowned. “My uncle might be able to help. He’s looking for a place to donate enough to get him a tax deduction. How much do they need?”
Kurt shook his head. His mouth was full.
“And do they have room for another kid?” asked Chambers. “I thought they were at capacity?”
Kurt finished chewing and swallowed. “Andre would rather shelter only the amount he can help. The ceilings are high enough that the bunk beds could be triples instead of doubles, twenty-one rather than fourteen kids per room, but he doesn’t have funds to prove services to all those kids. He can feed, clothe, and school a finite number.”
Zawadzki handed Kurt a second bag. Yum. Companionship really did make food taste better.
--
Emil blushed as he walked out of John’s hospital room. He needed a few minutes to clean up. He blushed deeper. He couldn’t believe they did that with his parents in the room, curtain or no curtain. But Peregrine had wanted it and it had been worth it even if it made Emil blush for the rest of the week.
