Glory Be

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Isaiah quietly reentered the Printshop. His eyes hung to the ground as he walked towards the backroom. He spotted Sydney working at the printing press. His apron was covered in ink and his hair was up. Two spare strands dangled around his face. Isaiah heart felt fuzzy, but he frowned. He failed; all of this nonsense was for nothing.

He stepped out into the backroom. Sydney looked up almost instantly. His face filled with a smile. "

"Hey Isa," He greeted, but soon enough his eyes took in Isaiah's state, "What happened?"

Isaiah opened his mouth to explain, but nothing came out. He took a few steps forward to Sydney and just shrugged, "Um." He leaned his head on Sydney's shoulder. Without hesitation, a hand was placed on the back of his head.

"Hey," Sydney said again a bit softer, "Didn't go well?"

"Nope,"

"Are we in trouble?"

Isaiah perked up to shake his head, "No, I didn't reveal anything. It just," His mouth ran dry, "I got too emotional."

"So, what happened? What did Seth say?" Sydney asked, positioning Isaiah next to him.

"He said my ideas about justice were best given to my father instead of him. I got the message he wasn't interested in changing anything," Isaiah blinked rapidly, "And they're sure Falcon is still in town. So. Yeah, it's going to be trouble."

"Wait so you didn't tell him?" Sydney frowned.

"How was I supposed to?" Isaiah whispered

"Well, I, it's important, that's his mom,"

"Yes but, to reveal that to a deputy I wasn't even sure to be on our side... It would've been suicide."

Sydney pressed his lips together looking off behind Isaiah for a moment. It suddenly clicked in his mind, and Isaiah met his eyes.

"Are you thinking about your mother?" Isaiah asked, his hand brushing Sydney's skin.

Sydney blessed him with a soft look. He nodded while grabbing Isaiah's hand, squeezing it.

"I was," He said, "I guess the thought that... Seth probably thought his mother was dead, but here she is... I don't know, but it's like a dream to me."

Isaiah was speechless for a moment. His eyes traveled from Sydney's hand to the door to Mr. Kowal's office, to back to Sydney. He hadn't even realized how open they were being.

"I understand," Isaiah said, "I could still go tell him... I just don't know what to say."

"No, no, you shouldn't," Sydney's demeanor changed, "Your reasoning was sound. I just, I feel for him."

"Yeah," Isaiah acknowledged.

"So, what now?" Sydney asked, "What do we tell her?"

"We'll be honest," Isaiah said, feeling his gut ache, "Tell her I failed. There wasn't an out. Then suggest she get out as soon as possible."

"You think so?" asked Sydney.

"That's the only thing I can say," Isaiah replied.

Sydney rubbed Isaiah shoulder.

"Okay."

The two printshop boys found another time to escape out to the stables. Mr. Kowal was certainly not pleased with the amount of hooky that day, but Sydney always had the best excuses. Isaiah didn't hesitate as he approached the ladder, climbing it up at once. Sydney followed behind him as they ascended into the hayloft.