Warrior Reborn by KH LeMoyne Read Free Book Online Page A

to intrude but—there are few things we can’t fix. How about you give me a chance to try to help?”
    She wouldn’t even look at him. “You will find out anyway.”
    The whisper of hopelessness almost killed him. What could be so bad, beyond already having a child so desperately ill? “Try me.”
    “I make this trip in for Mario when my girls are in school. When I have time off.”
    Jason nodded in encouragement. The hours, the travel, the strain was hard on many of the parents. Considerations he’d been trying to work for several parents lately.
    “My husband, he works building construction. He sees Mario at night, when he gets off work. We’d be here more but money…”
    It was coming, Jason could tell from the shredded state of the tissue. Mario’s mother closed her eyes and Jason considered calling for a nurse.
    “He lost his job.” Her whisper came out like a cry. “They said with the economy—they don’t need his position. His job paid for our insurance. Now they will make Mario leave. I will lose my baby.”
    All hell broke loose. Consuela Sanchez sobbed as if she’d already lost her eight-year-old son. Jason slowly put his arm around her and pulled her closer to his chest. The blue Hermes tie he’d worn would be forfeit, not that he cared.
    “Mrs. Sanchez, no one is going to toss Marco out of the trial or this hospital. I promise.”
    She looked up and blinked, a choked sob erupted like a hiccup. “But the insurance…”
    “This trial doesn’t go to the insurance for funding.”
    “We can’t afford to pay.” Her head shook back and forth with renewed vigor and her hands tightened on the pitiful excuse for a paper product.
    Jason reached into his pocket and handed her the cloth handkerchief he always carried. Habit, because he never used them. “Here, now try to take a deep breath and relax. There are many resources within this project. This is not an issue, at least not for Mario continuing in the trial.” One less income would inundate this family with other problems. Perhaps not entirely out of his scope either. “How about you let me take care of this for you? You and your husband take this opportunity to spend more time with Mario.”
    She’d stopped crying, with his handkerchief twisted into the tightest spiral of fabric he’d ever seen.
    “You would do this for us?”
    “Marco is part of this project. His success brings success to the project. But between you and me…”
    She waited, hanging on his every word.
    “This isn’t the first time families have had financial difficulties during trials. It won’t be the last time. This is what I do. Because I can’t do what Dr. Hyden does.”
    Her face brightened. He saw the first glimmer of a smile. “Bless you, Mr. Ballard.”
    “No. It’s my job. Save your blessings for the kids in the program.” He covered her hand and gave it a squeeze. I will get back to you and your husband soon with some options.” He handed her his card. “Better?”
    “Thank you.”
     
    ***
     
    Briet looked at the clock and debated. Annie had fifteen more minutes of treatment and she’d calmed down enough to go in and sit with her.
    “Do you have a minute?”
    Briet froze. Found. She had been so close to escaping.
    “Just ten minutes.”
    “Five.”
    “Deal.” Jason looked at Annie through window. “She looks good.”
    “Hmmm.” Briet was terse, but when Jason didn’t chime right back with a response, she cast a glance at him. He was staring at Annie, a wrinkle marring between his brows. Then he blinked several times.
    “You okay?”
    “Fine.” He shook his head and turned around to lean his head against the glass. “Probably just need coffee.”
    “I don’t have time for coffee.”
    He didn’t even look at her and shrugged. “Okay, so you’re still angry with me.”
    “Ed already told me the testing is approved.”
    Jason slid his hands into his pockets and sighed. “Briet, I brought up the consideration of testing, not