To say Johnny had been completely transformed would be a lie, but there was little left of the angry, scraggly-looking teenager Tash had first met. He’d had a haircut, gotten some new clothes, and the sullen look on his face had been replaced by one Tash had seen before in the kids he’d helped in the past—cautious optimism warring with a defensive bravado. These kids were waiting for someone or something to snatch away the elusive happiness they’d only begun to understand existed.
“Nothin’ much.” But Johnny bit his lip, and his eyes refused to meet Tash’s.
Recognizing he needed to take a different tactic, Tash put down his pen. “How do you like the clinic? It looks like you and the others get along pretty well; am I right?”
“Yeah. They’ve taught me a lot, and I think they like me.”
“I’m hearing a ‘but’ in there. What’s the matter?” Tash pressed Johnny gently, not wanting to freak him out. He knew the young man worried about retaliation from his drug-dealing former boss.
“What’s gonna happen to me? I ain’t in school. I don’t have no place to live, really.” He dropped his gaze to the floor and kicked the edge of the rug with his sneaker. “I don’t wanna go back on the street no more.”
Tash’s heart went out to this boy. Johnny had never been given a chance to make something of himself. Another runaway kid with big dreams who’d come to learn life in the city wasn’t all bright lights. “You won’t have to. As long as you keep up with the program and work here, take your GED classes like you have been, you’ll be fine. We’re working on it. I promise.”
“I have been. I did well on the test I took, and my caseworker said she thinks I may even be able to graduate when I was supposed to if I study hard.”
“That’s great. I’m proud of you. I know your temporary foster family, the Ortegas, reported how hard you’ve been working.”
A rare smile touched Johnny’s lips. “I like Mr. and Mrs. Ortega. They’ve been really nice to me. I felt so bad when they told me how their son had been killed by a stray bullet.”
Tash sensed Johnny’s discomfort as he watched him squirm in his seat. “It’s why what the center does is so important. Every gun they get off the street is one less gun in the hands of a killer. One less innocent death.”
“I know,” mumbled Johnny. “I still don’t believe Dr. Jordan doesn’t hate me.”
“He doesn’t hate you. I happen to know he’s proud of you and how you’re trying to help yourself; we all are.” Tash came around from behind the desk to sit in the chair next to Johnny. “It takes a lot of courage to do what you’re doing. But you’re helping not only yourself, but preventing innocent people, children, from getting hurt by drugs and guns. Everyone makes mistakes. The hard thing is admitting it and learning from them.”
“I’mnevergonna go back to selling drugs,” Johnny spit out with vehemence. “I don’t want no one to die because of me.”
“I believe you.” And he did. Tash could now send a silent prayer to whoever was listening that this time, a life had been saved and Tash helped.
They finished up their session with Johnny promising to come to the community center over the weekend and start working there.
“Thanks, Dr. Tash. I don’t know why you’re so nice to me, but I owe you one. You and Dr. Jordan.” They walked out of the office together and headed down the hallway to the front, where Tash heard the familiar voices of his friends.
Everyone had gathered around the front desk and greeted them with broad smiles.
“Tash, come congratulate Mike and Rachel. They’re engaged.” Drew waved him over, a huge smile almost splitting his face in half.
He said good-bye to Johnny and grabbed hold of Mike to give him a hug. “That’s great news. I’m so happy for you both.” He leaned down to give Rachel a kiss on the cheek.
Her green eyes glowed, and a smile of happiness lit up her pretty face. “Thanks so much.” Her arm was linked with Mike’s, but Tash caught a flash of a diamond on her hand. “We stopped by on the way to my grandmother’s house.”
Drew raised his eyebrows. “You told us before Nana? You are in trouble.” He leaned against Ash, who put his arms around him. “I wouldn’t tell her you told us first.”
They all laughed, and then Mike and Rachel left. Drew checked his watch.
“Okay, gang, time to close up shop. See you tomorrow.” The three young people behind the front desk—Marly, Steve, and Johnny, busied themselves with shutting down the computers and locking the drawers. “Marly, honey, do you need a ride home?”
The young woman shook her long dark hair free from the collar of her down jacket. “No, thanks. I have a ride with Javier and Steve.” She threw a grateful smile over her shoulder at Steve, who returned it.
Steve checked his phone. “Javier said he’ll be here in five minutes. He can drop you off too, Johnny. We’ll wait in here until he comes, okay?”
Drew nodded. “Of course. I’ll fix the door so it automatically locks behind you when you leave.”
As the rest of the men broke into smaller groups, Tash noticed Brandon hadn’t left Ash’s side. Obviously the brothers had a heart-to-heart talk that had brought them some type of closure. Even as he watched, Ash pulled out his phone and showed both Brandon and Luke something that caused them to break out into laughter.
“What’s so funny?” asked Jordan, who walked over to them after hanging up his coat. “I could use a good laugh after hours of surgery.” He flexed his shoulders.
“You’re angling for a massage tonight, aren’t you, Prep School?” Luke teased, as he placed his hands on Jordan’s back. “Hmm, you are one big knot.” He massaged Jordan’s shoulders and kissed his neck.
