Outside the hospital, the air was bitterly cold, but for once, Ezra didn’t mind. Being free of confinement was worth the shivers. Following their dark-clad benefactor, Ezra walked beside Vin, his mind whirling with all that had recently happened. Parts of it, he did not care to dwell upon, but fortunately, it was the other parts that consumed the bulk of his thoughts.
He and Vin had been managing quite well, despite the fact that they were living on the streets. It may not have seemed like the best kind of life to most people, but it was far more pleasant than what they had endured in the foster care system. Ezra felt a twinge of fear at leaving behind the life to which he had become accustomed, but his and Vin’s choices at this point were limited. He had to testify against Jerry MacDermott, and Ezra was smart enough to know that he and Vin would probably be safer from reprisal under Agent Chris Larabee’s roof than in their own basement apartment.
The loss of freedom would be the most difficult adjustment. It had been a long time since either he or Vin had been subject to someone else’s rules, and Ezra hoped they could handle the new restrictions on their lives. He cast a sidelong glance at the ATF agent. If the man was as nice as Vin claimed, then this new arrangement might just work.
They stopped next to Larabee’s black truck and Ezra was about to open the door when Vin’s hand on his shoulder stopped him.
“Vin?”
“We need to get a few things ‘fore we go,” Vin said quietly.
Ezra grimaced, wondering how he could have forgotten. “Of course.”
“Something wrong?” Larabee asked in response to their hesitation by the truck.
“We, uh, need to get our things,” Vin explained hesitantly.
“Yes, and I would like to bid farewell to a few people before we leave,” Ezra added.
“Yeah,” Vin agreed. “Wouldn’t be polite to leave without sayin’ anything.”
“Okay, we’ll go there first,” Larabee said, climbing into the truck. “Where to?”
“Just bring us to Rosie’s,” Vin said. “We can walk from there.”
Ezra nodded, silently agreeing as he and Vin entered the vehicle. It wouldn’t be wise to reveal the location of their basement home to their new guardian, since they still may have need of it at some point in the future... especially if things did not work out in this new situation.
“You sure?” Larabee asked doubtfully. “Ezra isn’t up to much exertion yet.”
“I’ll be fine, Mr. Larabee,” Ezra assured him. “Vin will not allow me to overdo it.”
“Damn straight,” Vin said with a grin.
Chuckling lightly, Larabee said, “All right. Rosie’s it is... but on one condition.”
Suddenly wary, Ezra asked, “What sort of condition?”
Vin’s eyes narrowed as he, too, waited tensely for the response.
“All I want is for you two to tell her I’m one of the good guys,” Larabee began. “I don’t feel like ducking her broom while I wait for you.”
Vin started to laugh and Ezra, though he tried to resist, soon followed suit. Finally, gasping for breath, he said, “Of course, Mr. Larabee. I believe we can accommodate that request.”
“Good.” Larabee grinned and turned his truck toward Rosie’s Diner.
To Be Continued...
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