Chapter 8I followed him down the stairs, marveling that I hadn’t even guessed there was a way to get between our floors without going outside. Why’d he kept this a secret? Was he sneaking into my place while I wasn’t home? I doubted it. What did it matter anyway? What did I have to hide? Did he come up here to look at the tree? The thought made me almost smile.
Ricky had stopped shouting now, but I could hear his sobs. Then he started yelling again. “Help me! Somebody help me!” His voice was softer now, as if it were giving out.
I stood in the doorway of his bedroom and watched as John held him close even though Ricky seemed to be fighting him.
“Shhh. Shhh.” John crooned as he patted Ricky. “It’s okay. Johnny’s got you.”
Ricky was covered in sweat and still didn’t seem to be fully with
