My Brother's Keeper Read Online Free PDF Page B

Lenny won’t stop. He’s crazy, Jon, and crazy is bulletproof.”
    Bulletproof? Jon was more than willing to test that claim.
    Jon shook George’s hand. “Thanks for coming out.”
    He nodded. “Take care of Ellis.”
    “I will.”
    George got in his car and headed down the driveway, and Jon went back into the house. Ellis wasn’t in the living room or the dining room. He checked the kitchen—empty.
    Jon walked to the rear of the house to the laundry room. He found Ellis sitting on the floor beside the washing machine. He had his arms crossed over his knees pillowing his forehead.
    Jon shut the door. “You okay?”
    “No.”
    “We’ll get through this.”
    “What did you and George talk about?” Ellis brought his gaze up. “Don’t look surprised. I saw the look he gave you. He wanted you alone because he thinks I can’t handle what he had to say.”
    “Honestly, I think he’s just trying to protect you.”
    “I don’t care. I want to know.”
    Jon eased himself to floor. A sharp pain shot through his knee.
    “I could have stood up, you know.”
    “Nah. I kind of like it down here.”
    Ellis laughed. “Good, cause you may be staying here for the night if you can’t stand back up.”
    “You’ll find a way to get me off the floor. You need me as an elbow prop when you sleep.”
    “I do not prop my elbows on you.”
    “And your legs.”
    “You’re making that up.”
    Jon held up his fingers. “Scout’s honor.”
    Ellis narrowed his eyes. “I bet you weren’t even a boy scout.”
    “No, but I dressed as one for Halloween once.” That earned Jon another laugh. Ellis slipped his hand into Jon’s. They sat there for a while, just staring at the wall.
    “I need you to tell me what George said to you.”
    Ellis didn’t need more to worry about. But he was right. He did need to know. For his own safety, and Rudy’s. Just in case the worst did happen. Jon let his head rest against the washer. He stared at the ceiling because he couldn’t look Ellis in the eye while he repeated everything George said.
    When Jon couldn’t stand the silence any more, he looked at Ellis. His eyes were closed and he rested his chin on his chest.
    “I need you to promise me something, Jon.”
    “Anything.”
    “If something happens to me, I need you to look after Rudy.”
    “Nothing’s going to happen to you.”
    “I know it’s a lot to ask. I know it’s a terrible burden. But I need to know he’ll be safe.”
    “Ellis…”
    “Yes or no. That’s all I want to hear. Yes or no.”
    “Yeah, I’ll take care of him.”
    Ellis sighed so deep it was as if the weight of the world had been taken off his shoulders.
    ********
    Just as Ellis stepped out of the laundry room there was a crash from the kitchen. Jon followed him around the corner. Rudy stood in a puddle of milk. The burst jug and a broken glass lay on the floor. A dark stain rode up Rudy’s ankles to his knees. He even had milk droplets in his hair.
    “Damn it, Rudy.”
    “I didn’t touch it.”
    “No, you never touch it. It just magically falls and breaks all on its own.” Ellis looked around like he didn’t know where to start.
    “Go get some towels. I’ll take care of him.” Jon expected Ellis to protest but he left without a word.
    Jon kicked the glass out of the way. “Give me your hand.”
    “Ellis is mad at me.”
    “He’s just stressed right now. He didn’t mean to yell.”
    Rudy took Jon’s hand. “I always mess up.”
    “You make mistakes.”
    “I just wanted a glass of milk.”
    “You should have asked.”
    “I wanted to do it on my own.” Rudy dropped his eyes.
    Jon led him out of the kitchen. Ellis came back with towels and Jon took them. “I’ll clean up this mess, you take care of Rudy.”
    Ellis shook his head. “Now I’ll have to make a run to the store.”
    “I’ll do it.”
    “It’s okay, we’re out of bread.”
    “I’ll go. You stay here with Rudy.”
    “You sure?” Ellis chewed his lip.
    “Yes.