Vagabond Circus Series

by Sarah Noffke

  “Well, this is an improvement,” his mother said. “I have to say I’m very pleased about this. Zuma is a fine catch and has incredible Dream Traveler blood.”

  Jack rolled his eyes. It was always about pretenses with his mother.

  “Indeed,” his father finally spoke up. “Congratulations, Jack. This is really fine news.”

  Finley walked through the door, holding two bottles of water in his hands, and then he froze at the sight before him. Zuma sat on Jack’s bed, his arms around her. She turned around and caressed Jack’s cheek. “I’m truly the lucky one. Jack is the best catch a girl could ever get,” she said.

  “Well, when’s the wedding?” his mother asked, her tone having changed into one of excitement and approval.

  Zuma didn’t answer since Finley dropped the bottles of water, arresting everyone’s attention.

  Chapter Sixty-Three

  Finley whipped down at super speed and gathered the dropped water bottles which were rolling, making their way for people’s feet. When he rose to full height Jack’s mother stepped forward, arching a thin eyebrow at him.

  “And who might you be?” she said, the prime example of intimidation.

  “Finley Anders,” he said, placing the bottles on a table before offering a confident hand to her.

  She took it, her grasp strong. “Mrs. Eva Fuller,” she said, her southern accent dripping from her deep voice. “And my husband Jack Fuller the first and Dr. Keith Fuller,” she said, waving her hand dismissively at the two men behind her. They both gave Finley a disinterested wave, their eyes focused on the TV hanging from the far wall playing a baseball game on mute.

  “Anders,” she said to Finley, rolling the name around in her mind. “Are you related to George Anders? He’s the only one I know of with Dream Traveler blood.” Mrs. Fuller had assumed Finley was a Dream Traveler. Firstly, because his super speed hadn’t gone unnoticed by the woman who prided herself on observing everything. And secondly because she’d encouraged her family to only have dealings with people of their own race. Jack’s friends would only be Dream Travelers. She just didn’t believe that Middlings and Dream Travelers were well served to interact. It was good for no one.

  “Uhhh,” Finley said, eyeing Zuma who was shaking her head erratically behind Mrs. Fuller’s back.

  “No,” he said, snapping his gaze back on the older woman.

  “Oh, too bad, he’s an extremely well-respected Dream Traveler. Who are you related to then?” Mrs. Fuller asked.

  “You wouldn’t know them,” Finley said.

  “Hmm…” she said, disapproval in her tone. “You’d be surprised. I know all of the influential Dream Travelers and you must be from one of those families with a skill like super speed. What other gifts do you have?”

  “Mom,” Jack said, vying for his mother’s attention. “Would you leave my friend alone?”

  Finley smiled at the use of the word “friend,” but all that did was endear Mrs. Fuller’s attention more to him. She didn’t hide the way her eyes slid over his face. “You’re very attractive,” she said as more of a careful observation than a compliment. “Are you dating anyone?”

  “Mom,” Jack said, this time his tone embarrassed.

  She ignored her son and turned to her husband. “I think the Jenkins’ daughter would look fantastic on Finley’s arm. Don’t you think, dear?”

  “Sure, sure,” Jack Sr. said, his eyes not leaving the TV screen.

  Eva turned back to Finley. “I’m excellent at creating matches amongst Dream Travelers. I consider it a public service. We wouldn’t want great genes like yours accidentally mixed with a Middling’s.”

  “Mom,” Jack said a third time.

  Again she ignored him, not even appearing to have heard her son. She pulled a phone from her purse, her fingers already scrolling through her contacts. “Now if you’ll just hold tight I’ll arrange a lunch with Wanda Jenkins. She gorg—”

  “He’s gay,” Zuma said at once, and then chomped down on her bottom lip.

  Finley, who had been dumbstruck since he reentered the room, shot Zuma a shocked look.

  Jack tightened his arms around Zuma’s waist and suppressed a laugh.

  Mrs. Fuller turned to Zuma and Jack. “Really?”

  “Really,” Jack said, his laughing eyes avoiding Finley’s steaming gaze.

  “Well, that is too bad. Such a waste,” Eva said, shaking her head, clicking her tongue.

  “Yeah. So gay,” Zuma added, not daring to look at Finley now.

  “The gayest,” Jack added, enjoying his first bit of fun since his trauma.

  “Too too bad,” Mrs. Fuller said, her disappointed gaze on the tile floor, her eyes looking to be searching for a fix to this wrench in her matchmaking plans.

  A knock interrupted the group and a second later a doctor with black and gray hair poked his head into the room. “Hello,” he said with a slight Chinese accent, and then spying the group he stepped into the room. “I’m Dr. Chang.” The doctor glided through the room, making his way for Jack’s bed, his hand extended.

  However, when he was just a few feet away, Dr. Fuller cut him off. “Good seeing you, James,” he said, extending his hand to the other doctor.

  “Oh, hello, Dr. Fuller,” the older man said. He was much shorter than Keith and half his build. “Jack must be your brother, then?”

  “Yes,” Keith said, not keeping the disappointment out of his tone.

  Dr. Chang, then being released, turned to his patient. “Jack, I’m the doctor assigned to your case. I’d like to take a moment to evaluate you after the surgery.”

  “Yes, of course,” Jack said, pulling his arms out from around Zuma, who then stood from the bed.

  “And I think some privacy would be welcomed,” the doctor said, turning to the group at his back.

  With great effort Jack’s father pulled his gaze from the TV. He’d apparently been listening to the group’s exchange, just not paying close attention.

  “Come on, Pops, I know of a place we can catch the rest of the game,” Keith said.

  “We will be just outside,” his mother said to Jack, a punishing quality aimed at her husband and eldest son.

  “Yeah, we will be just outside,” Finley said, his tone sharper as he reached for Zuma and tugged her to the hallway. “Join me, friend, won’t you?”

  She gave Jack a last look over her shoulder, a devilish smile on both their faces.

  Chapter Sixty-Four

  Finley didn’t release Zuma until they were on the far side of that wing of the hospital, a remote, rarely used corridor. He halted and spun around, his body pinning her to the wall, his hands pinned on her hips.

  “You want to tell me what the hell is going on?” he said, his face up close to hers.

  “I just saved you from a train wreck. Wanda Jenkins is nuts. And you don’t want Jack’s mother on the hunt trying to set you up. You’ll never have any peace,” Zuma said.

  “So you told her I was gay? You could have just told her you were madly in love with me instead,” Finley said, a faint smile around his mischievous eyes.

  Zuma turned her dark brown eyes up to him, a look of apology in them. “But they all think Jack and I are together.”

  Finley narrowed his gaze at her. “Yeah, about that…”

  “Look, I had to. His family are a bunch of jerks and treat him like he’s a second-class citizen. And then his brother hit on me and I thought that it would stick it to him if I rejected him because Jack and I are together. And his parents think better of him for it too. His mom is obsessed with family lineage.” She said all this in a nervous rush.

  “I’m seeing a pattern here, Zuma,” Finley said, his eyes having grown sharper as she spoke. “You feel sorry for a guy and you take pity on him. Is that why you kissed me in the warehouse?”

  “No, Finley. I did it because I wanted to. And I’m doing this because I want to help Jack to look better in front of his family.”

  “Hmmm…” he said, co
nsidering her with a long scrutinizing gaze.

  “Finley, I wasn’t taking pity on you in the warehouse. And I’m not doing it now. I promise,” Zuma said.

  He didn’t say anything since that’s what he expected she wanted, for him to say something. He just kept her pinned by his eyes and close proximity.

  “Finley, I actually have feelings for you, and not because of where you came from but because of who you are. Don’t you see that?”

  “I’m trying to,” he said.

  He studied her, as she studied him.

  “Finley, don’t be mad about this. Don’t be mad about anything, all right?” Zuma said.

  “Oh, so you all of a sudden don’t like it when I’m mad at you? Things are really changing.”

  “Finley…”

  “So does that mean you forgive me?” he said, pinning her firmer to the wall with his body. She smiled up close to his face, her eyes on his mouth.

  “No, not yet. But you haven’t granted me much time in your head as we agreed upon, as part of our terms of agreement of me trying to forgive you,” she said.

  “We’ve kind of been busy,” he said, his breath warm on her.

  “True,” she said.

  “Okay, well fine. But with all this acting just don’t kiss Jack, would you? Or you’re going to find out what I think loud and clear,” Finley said through gritted teeth.

  “I promise,” she said and slid her fingers into his belt loops, encouraging him closer. Finley smiled, leaning in to kiss her when he was suddenly shoved back by the same hand that had pulled him in. Zuma stood straight and faced the figure approaching in the distance. Jack’s father strolled down the hallway, his eyes on his shiny watch.

  He looked up when he was closer. “It’s the doctor,” he said, his tone clipped. “He wants a word. I thought Jack’s fiancée would want to be there.”

  “Absolutely,” Zuma said, trying to breathe past the warmth in her body.

  Jack Sr. turned at once and headed back in the opposite direction. Zuma took off, following Mr. Fuller but turned around to Finley.

  “Fiancée,” he mouthed.

  She shrugged, her face not at all sympathetic.

  Chapter Sixty-Five

  Finley tried to leave the room once he accompanied Zuma back there but Jack insisted he stayed.

  “It’s no big deal. Just some medical talk,” he said, holding out a hand for Zuma. She took it at once and then Finley realized exactly why Jack wanted him to stay. He was going to take this opportunity to tease Finley. Jack shot him a sly smile when he pulled Zuma down next to him on the bed and began caressing her arms.

  From across the room Finley rolled his eyes, but in truth he was suppressing a laugh. The morphine was definitely making the acrobat a bit more playful. He had to give Jack props that it was a pretty clever game. Excruciating for Finley, but clever nonetheless.

  “I actually have important information,” Dr. Chang said, pulling up Jack’s chart so it was closer to his face.

  “Just tell me when my fiancée and I can start making babies,” Jack said and tugged Zuma in closer. She shot him a look and also a series of snide remarks and warnings inside his head. He smiled at this.

  “I’m sure your parents will agree that those types of things should wait until after you’re married,” Finley said, an edge to his voice.

  “Don’t be so uptight. And don’t worry, you’ll be Uncle Fin,” Jack said, winking at his friend.

  “Just what I’ve always wanted,” Finley said, his tone dry.

  “I think the only concern your parents have right now is when will this meeting start,” his mother said, looking at her phone and then to the doctor.

  Dr. Chang cleared his throat and focused his gaze downward on the patient lying in the bed next to him. “Right, well, due to the extensive damage to your legs, Jack, and the extra complications to your back, I fear the road to recovery will be an arduous one for you. I want to set clear expectations. You’re going to require an incredible amount of physical therapy, and even after all that I’m uncertain what the long-term outcome will be. It’s hard to say at this stage.”

  Jack squinted at the doctor. The smile that had been on his face was now a look of confusion. “Outcome?” he stuttered out, his mind having gripped onto that one word.

  The doctor nodded his head. Pressed both his hands together in front of his face and touched them to his lips before pulling them back. “Jack, the bones of the legs are difficult to heal, especially when broken in multiple places as yours were. And the way they mend, and how well they do, really dictates the outcome for the patient.”

  “What exactly are you saying, Dr. Chang?” Mrs. Fuller said, her voice sharp, bordering aggressive.

  “He’s saying Jack isn’t going to walk again,” Keith said, his eyes on his mother, his tone clinical.

  Jack’s expression froze into one of heart-wrenching shock. His mouth fell open and Zuma knew from watching that momentarily he was holding his breath. His hands went slack on her. His pulse slowed. Zuma knew all of this. And from being in his thoughts she also knew that Jack’s vision went gray and for a moment he thought he was going to be sick all over his frozen legs. Finally, feeling Zuma press her fingers into his hand, he awoke from his daze. Three minutes had passed and Jack hadn’t heard any of the words exchanged over that time. His mother’s exclamation. His father’s sigh of shock. His brother and Dr. Chang discussing Jack’s condition. It had all passed over his ears, because all he could give focus to was the word slamming around in his head.

  Paralyzed. Paralyzed. Jack was paralyzed.

  “You knew,” he sputtered out finally, his eyes unfocused but in his brother’s direction. “Keith, you knew since you looked at my chart, didn’t you?”

  “I guessed,” his brother said, his tone conceited.

  “And you didn’t think you should be the one to tell me? You’re my brother,” Jack said, his nostrils flaring and his focus firmly on his brother now.

  “It doesn’t matter who told you this news.” Keith waved his hand through the air dismissively. “It’s the same diagnosis no matter what. You might be able to feel your legs, but you won’t be able to use them to walk. You’re paralyzed,” he said, his voice matter-of-fact.

  “Are you quite certain?” his mother asked.

  Keith gave a heavy sigh. “Yes, Mom. His legs are broken in over eighteen places and his spine fractured. It’s unlikely under the most ideal scenario that Jack’s legs will mend in all places to grant him the proper structure necessary to bear his weight for the act of walking. Standing sure, but walking is unlikely.”

  Dr. Chang coughed, his eyes on Dr. Fuller. This simple gesture quieted the room. “Although I do appreciate your clinical expertise, if you wouldn’t mind, Jack is my patient.”

  “Yes, please continue,” Dr. Fuller said, waving his hand to turn the stage back over to his colleague.

  “I think,” the doctor said, turning his attention to Jack, “that although your brother’s medical opinion is accurate it is also a bit pessimistic. Studies have shown that having a positive perspective can have an impact on a patient’s recovery rate.”

  “And studies have also shown that false expectations can create depression over time,” Dr. Fuller said, his eyes on the ceiling, his fingers threaded behind his back.

  Dr. Chang cut his eyes at Keith before returning them to Jack. “What’s important to remember is that recovery will take work on your part. However, physical therapy is a ways off. Now you mend. Then we determine a therapy plan. We will see how things progress. No, you might never walk again, but with time you might recapture some mobility in your legs and I think we will all agree that that’s better than nothing.” The doctor then pulled his gaze up to Zuma, who was standing beside Jack’s bed. Her hand was on his shoulder, every ounce of her trying to lend him support.

  “I must disagree. And I’m not only your brother but also a doctor with superior education than Dr. Chang,” Keith said and then l
ifted his chin at the other doctor. “No offense, but I’m clearly stating a fact.”

  The expression on Dr. Chang’s face looked exactly like one marked with offense, but he merely sucked in his thin bottom lip and stayed silent.

  Keith turned his attention to his mother. “My opinion is that therapy needs to be at the top of our list. I can recommend the best institution in the city. It even offers an assisted living program where Jack can receive care for things he won’t be able to do for himself. It’s incredibly expensive but they’ll take—”

  “Jack won’t be moved to a nursing home,” Zuma said, her voice quiet but her tone on fire.

  “He’s going to need around the clock care. Physical therapy multiple times a day. It’s really the best option for him,” Keith said.

  “I will do it. I’ll take care of him,” Zuma said.

  Jack whipped his head up to look at her. Her face was etched with determination.

  “Zuma, an engagement is one thing, but you don’t have to burden yourself here. We will pay for Jack to move into this institution,” Mrs. Fuller said, her voice cold like Keith’s.

  Dr. Chang switched his gaze, shifting between the two opposing parties. His focus was now on Zuma, awaiting her reply.

  Finley was also staring at the girl, the one he loved, but he knew what she’d say and it made him proud.