Page 105 of Hunter's Hidden Camera
My cell phone vibrates. I look.
“I have to go,” I say to Dr. Kanazawa.
“We’ve still got another fifteen minutes.”
I get up. “Family stuff.”
“Next week then.”
“See ya.”
When I arrive at the hospital, I’m greeted by Darin and Henry in the lobby.
Darin says, “That was quick.”
“I got here as fast as I could.”
I follow them down a hallway and into a room. There, by the window, sunlight streaming in, is Jo, lying in bed, holding a newborn baby wrapped in a blanket. Patricia is standing next to the bed, cooing at the baby, which is crying.
Patricia sees me. “Hunter! Come here. Come and meet Elena.”
I slowly approach the baby. “Hi, Elena.”
Elena reaches out and grabs hold of my finger. She stops crying. She smiles at me.
“She really likes you,” says Jo.
Patricia says, “Elena, this is your cousin. Hunter.”
Elena squeezes my finger. She’s got a strong grip.
“Aw,” says Henry, “that’s adorable. Don’t mind me. I’m just going to take a million pictures.”
“You want to hold her, Hunter?” asks Jo.
“I’ve never held a baby before.”
Patricia takes Elena and puts her in my arms. She shows me how to hold her, how to support her head. Patricia lets go and lets me hold Elena on my own.
Elena is so small, weighs so little. I can’t believe this tiny baby will someday grow up to be a full-grown human being.
I start to cry. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m so emotional.”
Jo reaches out and touches my leg. Patricia puts her arm over my shoulder. Darin and Henry place their hands on my arm.
“It’s because,” says Patricia, “it’s because there’s so much goodness in the world.”
46
Slow
When I approach my front porch, I notice how dark and cold-looking Mr. Hilton’s house is. There’s a “FOR SALE” sign that’s been sitting on the front lawn for a couple of months now. But nobody seems to be interested. I understand why. It’s a long and crazy story. Maybe somebody will write a book about it one day.
Inside my house, it’s also dark. And quiet. Since it’s a Saturday night, my parents are probably at the movies or something.
I walk up the stairs, and I notice that my bedroom light is on. Did I leave it on? Is someone here?
I move past Nash’s room—no one’s in there—and slowly walk to my bedroom door. I look.
