Homebound

Chapter 23

        "Oh, Lord!" Billy calls out as Asher falls to the floor with a heavy thud. "Oh, Lord! Man down! Is he dead? He's dead. What are we going to do?" Billy begins to breathe rapidly.

      "Relax, Billy. Breathe." Isaac soothes as Joshua checks Asher's pulse. Billy inhales and exhales deeply, not wanting to be a burden.

      "And he's alive, so you can stop panicking," Joshua states as he lifts Asher's right arm over his shoulder. Isaac readily goes to help Joshua, though he could probably carry Asher himself. Billy runs ahead to clear away backpacks and place the pillow on the head of the couch . They gently rest Asher on his back, and Joshua covers him with a blanket.

       "What should we do now?" Billy asks, scared for his best friend. Joshua runs his hand through his hair and sighs.

        "The only thing I could think of right now is to call Mr. Mosby."

        "Why not his foster parents? They are his caretakers."

       "I have a feeling that Asher would not appreciate that this moment. If he doesn't wake up soon, then we call 911."

       "I'll call Mr. Mosby." Isaac offers, already dialing his number.

      "May you order some pizza, Billy? I think Asher will need something to boost his spirits." Joshua suggests, and Billy nods, glad to do something.

      They both leave the room; Joshua sitting on the love seat opposite Asher. Relief floods him as he sees Asher's eyes begin to flutter open. He is so glad they didn't have to call the police, lest Robert is sent here.

      "Don't get up. We don't need you fainting again." Joshua warns Asher who seems like he wanted to sit up.

      "Did I just pass out?" Asher asks, a bit of shame in his voice.

       "Yes, you did, and there's nothing to be ashamed of." Joshua glares, bewildered that Asher is embarrassed. They sit in silence for a minute before Joshua speaks up.

       "Isaac is on the phone with Mr. Mosby, and Billy went to order pizza."

        "Ok." Asher goes back to staring at the ceiling. Joshua has a feeling that the Asher they know is lost. He is once again the broken boy who is alone. Joshua gets up and puts his hands in his pockets.

        "I'll give you some time to think." He mutters, but Asher shakes his head no. Joshua sits back down again, watching him. There is frown on his face, the one that he had on his face when they first met.

        "Do you have a cigarette? I need one."

       "I don't think you should be smoking right now."

       "I need one."

       "You've gone a long time without it. You promised Billy you would quit."

       "One cigarette never killed anyone." Asher scoffs, but Joshua's deadpan made him realize the incorrectness of his statement.

      "What you need is to let your feelings out," Joshua says gently. Asher freezes and glances back up to avoid Joshua's stare. The other two boys walk back in.

       "You're ok!" Billy smiles widely. "We ordered pizza, but I'm sure Joshua told you." He pouts when the news doesn't provoke a reaction. Isaac sits on the seat handle of the love seat Joshua is on, and Billy sits on the floor by their side.

         They all continue sitting in the pregnant silence of before. Each didn't want to disturb the quiet that swallows them. What can they say to Asher as comfort? They don't even know who his parents are. When your best friend just faints, that's the only matter on your mind. So, they wait for Asher to speak first, and they will be available to listen. What else can they do? Pizza didn't work.