After the doctor removed his stitches, Hunter’s face felt tender and swollen. John had brought in some clothes for him, explaining that he had a nephew about the same size. The small act of charity made Hunter realize that he had so little…nearly his whole life had gone up in the blaze. John helped him into the plaid flannel shirt and carpenter’s jeans—not his style at all, but at this point he couldn’t afford to be choosy. John had also brought him a pair of sneakers that were a bit too large, but again Hunter remembered the old adage about beggars not being choosers.
Dressed and sitting at the edge of his bed, Hunter took John’s hand in his own. “You have been too good to me, John. When I’m better, I promise I’ll pay you back for everything.”
“Don’t be stupid.”
Hunter simply smiled. T
