“That one, right over there, next to the big blond guy. That guy is John Everett,” he added. “Mr. Everett has two champion belts.” His face fell. “I hope he’s not riding against my dad. My dad says he was a real rodeo champion a few years ago. Gosh, I wish I could meet him! My lucky dad!”
Josie’s heart had dropped when she saw John. Odd reaction, she told herself. She glanced at the boy. “Maybe he won’t be riding against your dad,” she said gently, noting the youngster’s worried look.
“They raised our rent again,” the boy sighed. “Dad says if he can’t win some money, we’ll have to live in our truck.” He looked up at Josie with big brown eyes under a mop of brown hair that really needed a trim. Poor kid; his clothes weren’t in much better shape, despite the fact that they were very clean and he smelled nice. “Why does it cost so much to live?” he asked plaintively.
Because there are too many greedy people in the world, she thought. But she didn’t say it. “I don’t know,” she said gently, her eyes soft on his face. “You love your dad a lot, don’t you?” she asked.
He nodded. “He’s my best friend. It’s just me and Dad. We got no family anywhere. My mama died when I was just little, but my dad takes care of me. I want to grow up real fast, so I can take care of him,” he added quietly. “He works so hard at the feedlot. He says they want to replace him on account of he’s not fast enough at his job. He gets winded real easy and he can’t lift as much as the other guys.”
“That’s sad,” Josie said, gritting her teeth inwardly as she sawwhat the real situation was with the boy’s father. It sounded as if he had serious health problems that his son didn’t know about.
“So Dad’s going to try and win the bull riding tonight, so we can afford rent. And maybe he can get another job where they’ll be nicer to him.”
She was watching the boy’s father. He didn’t look good at all.
“Dad fixed us a nice lunch before we drove over here. We only eat one meal a day. I get fed at school, but Dad goes without. I cook when he feels real bad, though, if we have stuff I can cook.” He leaned forward. “He’s just the best dad in the whole world. I wish I was big. I’d make sure he never had to work so hard. I’d take care of him.”
Josie’s heart ached for the child. “You don’t have any other family at all?”
He shook his head. “Dad was an only child. So was my mama. Dad said maybe we were lucky, because families fight a lot. But I wouldn’t care. It would be nice if there was somebody who could help Dad. But there isn’t.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said, and meant it.
“There’s people worse off than us,” he said, smiling. “Dad says God tests us in this life, so we just have to take one day at a time and trust that He’ll see us through the hard times.”
“Your dad’s right,” she replied. “Who are you?” she asked with a smile.
He grinned. “I’m Jeremiah James. Dad calls me JJ,” he added. “Who are you?”
“I’m Josie. It’s nice to meet you, JJ,” she said warmly.
“It’s nice to meet you, too,” he replied.
“Where do you live?”
“Here in Percell, now. We’ve lived all over. Anywhere Dad could get a job,” he said. He made a face. “It’s a sad sort of apartment. Actually, it’s in the good part of a burned-down motel, but it’s a roof over our heads.” He looked worried. “I just hopethat Dad can win. I don’t want him to have to live in our truck. Dad can’t hardly afford gas for it, and the mechanic said he can’t fix it if it breaks down again.” He shook his head. “There’s no money for that anyway. Dad spent his last ten to get me this jacket at the Goodwill store.” He indicated it. “He said I have to stay well, and cold weather’s coming.”
She could have cried for the little boy. Even though her childhood had been rough, there had always been enough to eat, and clothes to wear. For all that, the boy’s attitude was so sweet...
They were getting the bulls ready, while the last of the bull-dodging competition played out to wild cheers and applause.
Josie was watching it halfheartedly when the little boy next to her made a sound. “Dad!” he exclaimed.
She looked toward the stalls where the bulls would be placed. The man next to John Everett was suddenly on the ground, John bending over him with his cell phone in his hand.
“Come on,” Josie told the boy, following him down the bleachers to the bull chutes.
“Dad!” the child wailed, running to him.
Josie caught him back and held him, kneeling down. “It’s okay, JJ,” she said softly. “Let them work. Just let them work, okay?” she said, calming him.
John was talking to a 911 operator. He spared Josie a glance, taking in at once her hold on the child and her worried expression.She was a conundrum, he thought, and was angry that he was pleased to see her here. He hadn’t the time to wonder why she was here.
The sound of an ambulance siren pierced the noise of the competition. The ambulance pulled up and two EMTs got out, approaching the patient.
“What’s wrong with my dad?” the boy asked plaintively.
One of the EMTs glanced at him and smiled reassuringly. “It’s going to be okay,” she said softly. “Just let us work.”
