Chapter 5

Hopscotch.

Colin came out of the bath wearing Bill’s robe. It hung about seven inches too long on his much smaller frame. Colin looked shamefaced but feisty. Colin fought to catch his breath, his breathing labored. Once Bill got him settled, he was calling the doctor. He was sure Colin had pneumonia.

“Dick called you?” Colin asked.

“Yeah.”

“Why, you’ve ignored me for six years?”

“Because he knew I’d come,” Bill answered quietly.

Colin shook his head in disbelief. “Why would you come? How did he know that?”

“He just did,” Bill said. “Why don’t you tell me what happened to you. I promise I’ll fill in the blanks when you finish.”

Colin began to sputter in protest. Bill held up his hand. “You have to go first, because when you hear what I have to stay; you may leave and I’ll never know about you, about Babs…”