Fighting For Ava

*19*

As Jethro paced confidently to ring the bell, the look on Gavin's face indicated that he had some questions to ask. His mind went back to the last time he and Jethro came to Ava's house. He remembered how Ava's father had scowled and yelled at them.

"Wait, Ava's dad now allows you freely into his house?" He asked in his surprise as Jethro pressed down the bell.

"Yeah. Her grandpa." Jethro corrected, "He's a kind man."

"Really?" Gavin scoffed his disbelief, making a facial expression that caused Jethro to laugh just as the door opened to surprisingly reveal a fat woman.

"Hey, Miss Lira!" Jethro and Gavin chorused in equal amazement.

"Hey boys!" The woman returned her usual grin and gestured them to come in, "Thanks for the other day." She said as soon as she closed the door behind them.

"Do you need to say that?" Jethro dismissed with a smile.

"I should," Lira insisted, "James told me how good you've been to Ava."

"Yeah," Jethro nodded shyly, scratching his neck, "A friend in need." He said incompletely and his voice went super eager for his next words, "Is Ava awake now?"

"Yes." Lira's big head bobbed, "She's awake and James is in her room. Yunno, we can't leave her alone any longer." She said and Jethro nodded understandably, "James said she'd been willing to see you ever since she woke last night." She added as she walked towards the girl's room, motioning the boys to follow her.

"Really?" Jethro chuckled delightfully while the strangely quiet Gavin shot him a disdainful glance, scolding him for being too glad because a girl had allegedly missed him.

Lira opened the door gently and immediately two faces looked up excitedly. James sat on the bed beside Ava, who was quietly feeding on a lunch of soup and salad.

"Hey, son" James gave a glee as he stood up and lumbered forward to take Jethro in an embrace. His eyes wandered to Gavin and he definitely could still recollect his face, "You too." He acknowledged and pulled Gavin into a hug as well.

Jethro's face locked with Ava's in a beautiful moment as James and Gavin unfolded. Lira noticed that and hummed in conception.

"Maybe we leave you, kids, to talk." James smartly suggested when he also saw that.

"Hi." Ava greeted bashfully after James and Lira had moved out.

Jethro did not reply at first, he just smiled and watched as Buddy moved out from the corner it had been lying and wagged his tail as to say his hi as well.

"How're you feeling now?" That was what he could finally say as he moved to the desk by the window and leaned on it, his arms folded across his chest.

"Better." She whispered, fidgeting with the fork on her plate.

"Nice to hear that." Jethro smirked and then his inner man told him he had to introduce the quiet Gavin, "That's Gav, my friend."

"His best friend actually," Gavin added comically and Jethro threw him a sneer.

"You must be really funny," Ava said timidly as she gently put forward a hand for a shake.

"I give Jethro's life vibes with that. He's a yawner without me." Gavin jested, taking in the girl's feeble hand.

"Really?" Ava chuckled at the boy's jocularity and cornered a glance at Jethro who was just picking his nails and grating his teeth in some annoyance.

"Yeah, he brought me along to help cheer you up. He told of how hell he bored you out the last time." Gavin continued to tease and Jethro was finally forced to speak.