Chapter 29
Noah rubbed his hands over his gritty eyes as he finished the last of the paperwork from the incident with Shane and Jason. Shaking his head at the audacity and cruelness of Shane’s actions, he hit the submit button a little harder than necessary.
His cell phone rang. “Ashley.” He filled her in on all that had happened that afternoon.
“You know, there was something about that boy that always bothered me. The few times I came to the air base, he had this arrogant air that didn’t match his job description as a seasonal firefighter,” she said.
“I know. I felt that too at his interview, but the other interviewers liked him and wanted to push him through. He was the captain of the football team, and you know how much everyone loves high school football around here. I think his uncle is a senator or something,” Noah leaned back in his chair and rolled his neck muscles.
“I’m going to stop by the hospital and check on Jason before I come home.
Give the girls a hug and a kiss from me.
I’ll be home after their bedtime, and we have an early call in the morning. ”
“Please tell Jason he’s in our prayers. Did any of the other test results come back?”
“So far everything is okay except for a bruised kidney and two rib fractures. They want to monitor him tonight and will probably release him in the morning.”
“Good plan. Well, I’ll let you go so you can close things up there. See you in a little while. Oh, and Noah.”
“What, babe?” he asked in a tired voice.
“I love you.”
“Love you too. See you soon. I need a hug after this day.”
Noah strode into Jason’s hospital room after checking in at the nurses’ station. The Hendricks, with Felix and Tina, were saying goodnight before heading home. Noah could see the concern in their faces.
Tina leaned down close to Jason’s face. “Call or text me first thing in the morning, okay? Try to get some rest.” She placed a whisper of a kiss on his forehead and gave his hand a final squeeze.
Felix handed Jason a well-loved stuffed tiger. “I brought Tigger for you to keep you company tonight.”
Jason started to decline until he saw the subtle headshake from Jeff.
“It means a lot to Felix that Tigger stays with you, Jason.”
“Thank you, Felix. That helps. I’ll take good care of your buddy and bring him home tomorrow.”
Felix nodded somberly, and the family headed out the door. Tina turned for one last look, blew a kiss, and mouthed I love you.
Noah sat down next to Jason’s bedside, resting his palms on his knees. “How are you?”
Jason pulled himself up and winced at the effort. “Not gonna lie. It hurts.”
Noah pursed his lips. “I am so sorry this happened. He should never have been hired, and you shouldn’t have had to deal with him and his kind.
For sure, not at the air base. You know I don’t tolerate that kind of behavior.
” He leaned in a little closer. “Why didn’t you come to me and tell me what was going on? ”
Jason took a few long breaths in and out of his nose. “This job is so important to me. I didn’t want to come off as a whiner and complainer.”
“It was a hostile work environment for you. That’s my job as the Air Attack Officer—to straighten those types of problems out.”
Jason plucked at the top sheet. After a few moments, he looked directly into Noah’s eyes. “But you see—that’s nothing new. That’s how my life has always been… since my mom left.”
Noah closed his eyes. His jaw firm, head bowed in silent prayer. Raising his head, he said. “I’m so sorry you’ve had such a difficult life. You’ve endured things you shouldn’t have had to.”
Jason broke in, “But so have you! Because of me. See. It’s my fault. I deserved it.”
Noah looked at this young man’s face, shadowed in suffering and guilt.
He took one of Jason’s hands firmly. “Please listen. I’ve forgiven you, and so has God.
You’re on a new path, and you have such a bright future—with your career as a firefighter if that’s what you want, and also with Tina.
You are deserving of all of this. Reach out and take it. It belongs to you.”
Jason clenched and unclenched the sheet. His mouth twisted with emotion. “Thank you, Chief.”
Noah patted him on the shoulder and stood. “I mean every word.”