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.“In a way, he got shot because he believed in the goodness of people.He wouldn’t allow me to just hide away and be afraid.He insisted we go out, enjoy life, and trust people.And even though this one man hurt us, a lot of other people have helped us.The doctors and nurses at this hospital have been unbelievable, and our families, our co-workers.everyone has been great.I want to focus on that, on all those good people, those positive things, and not on that one negative thing.“For a long time, I thought everyone was out to get me, that I’d never be accepted or safe again.But Harris has worked hard to show me I belong out in the world, not hiding from it.I can’t let one person’s bad behavior undo all that work.So yes, I forgive this man for shooting us, and I hope he finds peace someday.”Harris smiled at Jack but said nothing, just brought their joined hands to his mouth and kissed the tips of Jack’s fingers.Jack smiled back and then turned, ready to continue the interview.Skip cleared his throat, seeming to shake himself out of a daze, and Jack assumed he’d rambled too long about his love for Harris and his efforts to see the positive side of life.“Very nice.You mentioned the doctors and nurses here at this hospital.How have they helped you, besides tending to your injuries?”“They treated us as they would anyone else, I guess, and that’s kind of amazing.I expected to be treated as second class, as if Harris and I weren’t a ‘real’ couple.That’s… well, that’s the way you get treated a lot as a same-sex couple.But no one here has done that.They’ve all been very accepting and kind, and we’re both grateful for that.”Skip nodded, then asked a few questions about Jackson’s family, and his plans for the future.When he finished, he had Jack and Harris sign a release for the video, and he left them with a firm handshake and a gruff, “Good luck to you, boys.”“That wasn’t so bad.You did great, I thought.”Jack sighed and leaned back on the bed.“It was all right, yeah.He knows my father, so he was pretty easy on me.I just hope he makes me look okay in the article.”“I’m sure he will.That was really nice, what you said about me.You had me all choked up there for a minute.”“Yeah, right.Are you even capable of crying? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you ‘choked up’ about anything, now that I think about it.”“I can cry, I just don’t.”“Well, that’s okay, I cry enough for the both of us.” Jack pulled Harris close and kissed him, wishing they were home where they could hold each other without fear of interruption.“I don’t ever want to see you cry, Harris.”“I’m not a huge fan of seeing you cry, either.” They sat, foreheads pressed together, until a nurse came in pushing a wheelchair and wearing a cheerful smile.“Pack up, Harrison Smith! You have been officially released.”Jack helped Harris pack his bag while the nurse went over the final paperwork and talked to them about Harrison’s wound care and prescriptions.Two hours later, they were pulling into their driveway.“God, I’m so happy to be home! Don’t move, I’ll help you out.”Jack rushed to the passenger side door, and guided Harris out of the car, ignoring his dramatic sighs and eye rolls.Once inside, Harris refused to sit, and only half-jokingly threatened violence when Jack asked him to lie down.“Jack, I’m okay.Stop babying me.”“I am not babying you, I’m taking care of you.”At Jack’s wounded expression, Harris relented.“Okay, take care of me then.Make me some real food? And let me have a beer?”“I need to make sure you can drink while on this medication first.” Jack carefully checked all the paperwork, and then double checked by reading the bottle labels.For all his talk about not crying, watching Jack checking those labels made Harris’ throat tighten and his eyes prick with tears.In the hospital, Jack had been quick to ask the nurses for anything he’d thought Harris might need.He’d taken care of Harris’ meals and made a dozen trips home for clothes and toiletries, or to restaurants for take out.He’d fluffed his pillow and even helped him in the bathroom a few times.But that had all seemed normal and appropriate, within the walls of a building made for care giving.Harris never questioned it or considered it too carefully.Now, in their home, he saw how unusual this behavior was, saw the worry that was driving it.He noted Jack’s brows, pinched in concentration, his hunched shoulders, his serious expression.He was nervous, maybe even afraid.“Jackson.”“Hmm?”“How about we lay down for a while together?”Jack looked up, at first surprised, then suspicious.But he nodded and took Harris’ hand, walking to the bedroom [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]