My Steps Are Ordered by Michelle Lindo-Rice Read Free Book Online Page B

not wanting to let her go. He wasn’t one to be so emotional, but he wasn’t ashamed of his feelings, either. Soon he drifted off to sleep.
    It was around three o’clock in the morning when Michael jolted awake. Trey. He left the bed, careful not to awaken Gina, and wandered into Trey’s room. He lowered himself and sat on the edge of the small bed. The sheets were cool to his touch. Trey should be here, bundled under the covers.
    With a sad smile, he patted the pillow where his son would lay his head. Then he eyed the room. Seeing that Trey’s toys were strewn over the floor, Michael rose and put them in his toy chest. He could purchase the best toys and gadgets the world had to offer, but he couldn’t do anything to save his son.
    He saw the picture of Trey smiling as he stood next to a clown, and picked it up. Michael remembered that day like it was yesterday. He had taken the day off from work and pulled Trey out of school to go to the circus. They had had front row seats, and Michael had basked in the wonder written all over Trey’s face when he watched the different acts perform.
    He then stood in line with the other parents so that Trey could get his picture taken with the clown. Other kids his age had been scared, but Trey had shown no anxiety. Michael remembered how he puffed out his chest with pride at his son’s bravery. Michael cradled the photo in his hands. He ran his thumb over Trey’s smiling face.
    Unable to control himself, Michael choked up.
    His precious son was now in a battle for his life. He didn’t know what he would do without Trey. He couldn’t even picture what his life had been like before Trey. “Empty,” was the easy, immediate answer.
    Michael comforted himself with the knowledge that he was doing all he could for his son. He would move mountains and crawl under rocks if it meant Trey had a fighting chance.
    He left Trey’s bedroom, walked to his office, and turned on the computer. His research was now a part of his daily ritual. If there was a new treatment, he was going to find it and get it. If there was a new doctor, he was going to reach out.
    That was why he was on a mission to find Gina’s father. Michael could not ignore or neglect a potential donor. He hoped Frank would come through. All he needed was a name and a location. He would do the rest.

Chapter Seven
    Gina woke up around eight o’clock the next morning and noticed that Michael’s side of the bed was empty. He must’ve fallen asleep in the computer room again. She’d better go wake him, she thought, or he’d have a crick in his neck and a monumental backache. She swung her legs to the side and pushed her feet into a pair of plush red slippers. If she knew him, he’d be stretched out on the sofa. It was a sofa bed, but Michael never pulled the bed out.
    Gina heard the doorbell as she headed down the hallway and made a quick U-turn. “That’s probably Keith and Trey.” She peered through the window in the foyer and smiled at her guests. They entered the house, and Trey made a beeline for the television screen. Keith and Gina shared a smile as they watched him channel surf.
    â€œHe doesn’t have a care in the world,” Gina mused.
    â€œHe knows he has parents and a family who dote on him,” Keith replied. “So he does not have to worry about a thing.”
    â€œMichael is asleep in his office,” Gina offered, anticipating his question. Then, without taking a breath, she asked, “Where’s your mom?”
    â€œI drove her home this morning. She needed to check on a few things. I told her I would pick her up later.”
    â€œOr Michael can send a car for her.”
    â€œI don’t mind the drive. I welcome it, even, because I get a chance to think.”
    â€œThat’s a dangerous pastime,” said a male voice.
    Keith and Gina turned toward the voice. Michael sauntered into the kitchen and