I'll Stand by You by Sharon Sala Read Free Book Online Page B

they will be responsible for the medical bills incurred from this, so I’ll get their personal info. I know Dr. Quick called the police. Has your brother given his statement yet?”
    “Yes, sir. Officer Pittman came to the ER and videoed it. He said he was going to school to get statements from the kids when he left.”
    “Perfect. I’ll get a copy of that or a transcript. Now, do you want to ask for damages?”
    Johnny was a little shocked. “No, no, I don’t want to sue anyone. I just want to make sure they pay for the medical bills and that there are proper consequences for those boys. I don’t want anybody paid off, so to speak, to make this go away.”
    “Then that’s what we’ll aim for,” Peanut said. “Let me talk to the police and see what charges, if any, are going to be filed. Give me your contact number, and I’ll be in touch.”
    Johnny gave him his phone number and then a few moments later, hung up. He didn’t know how this was going to turn out, but it felt good to have legal aid on their side.
    When he glanced at the clock, he realized lunchtime had long since come and gone, and headed to the boys’ bedroom.
    “Hey, Marshall, did you bring your lunch home?” he asked.
    “Yes, it’s in my backpack.”
    Beep’s eyes welled with tears. “My mouf hurts. Don’t want nothin’ to eat.”
    Johnny frowned. The pain meds they’d given Beep in ER were beginning to wear off. “I’m sorry, buddy. I’ll go get your new prescriptions filled and pick up some soup. How about chicken noodle? It’s your favorite, and you won’t have to chew.”
    Beep nodded.
    “Can I eat here in our room with Beep while you’re gone?” Marshall asked.
    Johnny had a rule about eating food at the table, but today was a day for breaking rules.
    “Yeah, sure. And you can have a root beer with it, if you want. There are a couple in the refrigerator.”
    “Can I have one too?” Beep asked.
    “How about you and Marshall just share one, and if you want more, you guys can open the other one.”
    “Okay,” Beep said, but the tears overflowed and started to roll.
    Johnny sat down on the side of the bed and patted Beep’s knee. He wanted to cry with him.
    “I’m so sorry, buddy. Hang in there. I won’t be gone long.” Then he pointed at Marshall. “You’re in charge. Use your common sense, please.”
    Marshall nodded.
    Wasting no time, Johnny was back out in the rain. His clothes were still uncomfortably wet, but there was no need changing until he was home to stay. He was sick to his stomach about what had happened and knowing Beep was in pain made him angry. He wanted revenge. He wanted those boys to pay. But how would justice ever be served when the perpetrators were still kids too?
    It wasn’t going to be up to him to seek revenge though. He had the law and a lawyer on his side. Surely they would make things right. All he needed to do was what he’d been doing: take care of business. He started the car, and after a quick glance at the aging house they called home, he put the car in gear and drove away.
    First stop was at the pharmacy to drop off the prescriptions. He intended to get what groceries they needed while they were being filled.
    LilyAnn Dalton was shelving bottles of shampoo when she saw him come in and quickly stopped what she was doing to talk.
    “Johnny! We’ve been hearing horrible stories about Beep being hurt at school. Is that true?”
    “Yes, ma’am, I’m afraid it is.”
    LilyAnn’s hand subconsciously went to her belly and the baby she was carrying.
    “Is Beep okay? I can’t believe that happened.”
    “He’s home, but he has a ways to go before he’s able to go back to school.”
    Mr. Phillips, the pharmacist, walked up as they were talking.
    “Johnny? Is your boy okay?”
    “He will be,” Johnny said and handed him two prescriptions. “I need to get these filled, please.”
    “I’ll get right on it,” he said and hurried off.
    LilyAnn lowered her voice.
    “Was it