Here in My Heart: A Novella (Echoes of the Heart) Read Online Free PDF Page B

had boosted not just Lisa’s confidence in what she’d learned, but that of every other radKID in the room. And a weak part of Dru knew this moment was exactly why she’d dreaded calling him home. Liking having him back wasn’t a luxury she could afford.
    She didn’t blame her friends and neighbors for falling for Brad, after getting the chance to finally know him. But she’d learned the hard way just how much falling for him could cost. And later tonight, Vi was counting on them to be a united front.
    The next month or so is going to be tough . . .
    Dru headed to the front desk.
    “I need some ice for the radKIDS,” she said to the teenager checking members in and handing out equipment. “And I’m looking for the drinks Chris said we could have for the graduation ceremony.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” The young man beamed. “Everyone here thinks it’s so cool, what you’re doing for the kids in the community.”
    It was cool. Her job as a radKIDS instructor was one of the coolest things she did. She’d been looking forward to graduation for weeks. Now instead of celebrating with her students, she was making an ice run in a lame attempt to not think about Brad.
    Except their past was suddenly all her mind would focus on.
    He hadn’t merely rejected her when she’d kissed him. That same night, he’d gotten drunk and slept with Selena. When Oliver found out, he’d beaten the hell out of Brad and blown his sobriety one time too many. He’d wrecked Joe’s car again, gotten himself arrested again. That had been the final straw for Joe and Marsha. They’d had no choice but to ask him to leave their home. He’d already aged out of foster care and had nowhere else in town to go.
    Because of events Brad had set into motion, Dru hadn’t seen her foster brother since.
    That was the Brad she’d just left in the gym, chatting with an adoring crowd. Those were the memories she’d have to fight being sucked into tonight, when they talked with Vivian’s lawyer.

    Dru’s radKIDS had been great, especially Lisa.
    The girl was fearless when the pressure was on, a lot like another kid he’d known who’d never backed down from a challenge.
    Dru’s entire class had been eager and well-trained and absolutely in love with their leader. It was clear why. She was a natural with them, bringing her unique brand of fun and energy to the graduation program. The parents and students he’d met tonight had lit up the YMCA gymnasium with their enthusiasm. He’d worked with his own classes in Savannah, and he’d been proud of each group. But getting the stuffing pummeled out of him by a pack of thirteen-and-unders had never felt so good. He’d been grateful to be part of it.
    Right up until Dru had turned her back and left, supposedly in search of ice, and had made herself so scarce once the feeding frenzy at the snack table commenced, a half dozen parents had asked where she’d gone.
    Now the last crust of pizza had been carnivored, sugary soda had been guzzled, cake frosting and cookie crumbs were everywhere, the last of the parents had thanked him with a smile or a handshake or a pat on the shoulder and headed out, and he was packing up his pads in the empty gymnasium. Maybe not packing so much as stalling. He needed to be at Vivian’s house soon.
    He wasn’t ready to face her lawyer and her plans for dying.
    He looked around at the gym he’d played ball in his entire childhood, gone to day camp in, raised hell in just like the older of the boys who’d come today . . . The childhood that seemed so far away most days was suddenly everywhere. And the grandmother who’d been there for him every hell-on-wheels day of his youth was almost gone.
    She doesn’t have long , Dru had said when she’d called at dawn. For just a second when he’d seen her name on his cell phone display, he’d let himself believe she was reaching out to make peace. Vivian wants you home as quickly as you can get here.
    And at some point in