(Hudson)
"If you're going to stare out the window for hours, you might as well go outside to wait for him."
I'd woken up early because I didn't know what time Jasper would come over, and I've been sitting here ever since. "I know, Mom. Maybe I will. He's just so little that I worry about him."
He really is tiny, just like my brother always was. I can't stop thinking about how he looked crying in the woods yesterday or the welts on his back. I want to protect him. I want to keep him safe.
Movement by the woods catches my attention. Jasper bursts out of the trees at a run, trips, and goes down hard. I'm already heading for the back door, jogging across the yard. By the time I reach the edge of the pool, he's back on his feet, shoving his glasses up his nose as he hurries toward the house. He honestly looks like he's barely seven, and I still can't believe he's only a few weeks younger than me. His jeans are too long and baggy, and his shoes look way too big, like they should've been thrown out years ago.
We meet in the middle of the yard, and he can't slow down fast enough, crashing into me. I wrap my arms around him so he doesn't fall again. "Hey, buddy. You okay?"
He's breathless and steps back just enough to pull out an inhaler. My stomach tightens. What if he gets sick like my brother? I rub his back until his breathing settles.
"Sorry, I have asthma."
"It's okay." Once he puts the inhaler away, I turn around and crouch a little. "Climb on."
He lets out this soft sigh of relief and wraps his arms around my neck. I carry him inside and gently set him down before taking his hand.
Mom is waiting in the kitchen. Her eyes soften the second she sees him. "Mom, this is Jasper. Jasper, this is my mom, Emily."
She smiles warmly. "It's so nice to meet you, Jasper. I'm glad you became friends with Hudson. Would you like something to drink? A juice box?"
Jasper glances at me for permission. I nod. Mom notices everything, and I can tell she has already pieced together how small and fragile he is.
"Yes, ma'am. I would like that, please."
She seems charmed by how polite he is. "Why don't you boys sit at the island?"
I lift Jasper onto the barstool before sitting beside him. Mom slides the juice box over, and I poke the straw in for him. He smiles at me, small and grateful.
"Hey boys," Dad says as he walks in, standing beside Mom. His eyes fall on Jasper, and something painful flashes across his face. I know he's thinking about my brother. "You must be Jasper," he says, offering a hand.
Jasper gives a tiny, hesitant shake. "Y-yes, sir."
"This is my dad, Michael. He's a judge." I can't help the pride in my voice. Dad's always taught me how important fairness is.
Dad smiles. "Nice to meet you, Jasper. Hudson tells me you two want some kind of shelter in the woods?"
"Y-yes s-sir, o-only if it's n-not too m-much tr-trouble." His voice trembles. He's scared of my dad. I wrap an arm around his back, and he settles a little.
"I think it's doable. My dad built a treehouse with me once. It was my favorite place growing up."
Jasper just stares at him, like he's trying to figure him out. I wonder what his father is like.
Mom leans on the counter. "Do you have any siblings, Jasper?"
He finishes his juice. "No, ma'am. It's just me."
"Hudson has two sisters," she says. "You'll meet them soon. They're at ballet class right now."
She enrolled them as soon as we moved here, saying it would help them settle in. Meg used to take ballet before Owen got sick, and she stopped going. Anna is finally old enough to start. They're annoying sometimes, but I love them. And now life is starting to feel normal again.
I'm not totally sure how I feel about that. I don't want us to forget my brother. Even Mom is opening her own law office when school starts back.
My parents ask Jasper a few basic questions, and he answers them, but he looks so uncomfortable that I jump in. "I'm going to take Jasper up to see my room."
I hop off the barstool, lift him down, and grab his hand to lead him upstairs.
He steps into my room and just stops, staring like he's walked into another world. I follow his gaze across the TV, the gaming consoles, the posters, the shelves full of books. I've never really thought about how much stuff I have until seeing the look on his face.
His expression brightens when he sees the books. "Wow… you have your own library."
It's not that big, but I smile anyway. "How about I read you the next chapter in our book?"
Jasper nods eagerly.
We settle into the bean bag chair together, sitting side by side with his tiny legs draped over mine and my arm around his back. He turns the pages for me while I read. Every now and then he presses his thumb to his lips like he wants to suck it but stops himself. He seems so innocent and sheltered, almost fragile in a way I don't fully understand.
Just as I finish the chapter, Dad's voice crackles through the intercom, calling us downstairs.
Mom is baking cookies while watching a cooking show on the kitchen TV. Jasper freezes the moment he sees the screen, staring with wide eyes. Mom shoots me a questioning look, and I shrug.
"Do you watch this show at home?" she asks.
He shakes his head but doesn't look away from the TV. "No, we don't have a TV."
Mom and Dad exchange a look, and I can't help thinking his parents are strange.
"Have you seen movies at school?" she tries.
"No. My mom homeschools me." His shoulders tense, and he looks embarrassed. I give his hand a gentle squeeze.
Dad clears his throat. "How about you boys show me where this tree house needs to be built? I want to get started tomorrow."
I'm grateful for the change of subject. Soon we're all heading toward the woods. We show him the spot, and he studies the trees before choosing one he thinks will work best.
I help him take measurements while Jasper stands close by, quiet and watchful. Whenever Dad doesn't need me holding the tape, I reach for Jasper's hand, and he grips mine tightly. Maybe it's weird for boys to hold hands, but it makes him feel safe. And honestly, I don't mind it.
When we finish, Jasper has to head home for lunch, though I can tell he doesn't want to. He hugs me tightly before waving at my dad and disappearing between the trees.
Dad rests a hand on my shoulder. "Come on, Son. Let's head back. I need to make some calls and figure out exactly what I want to do out here."
---
That night, Mom and Dad call me into the living room. "Do you know anything about Jasper?" Mom asks.
"No. He just… seems sad. I wish he could stay here."
"I doubt his parents would agree to that," Mom says. "For now, I won't push him to tell them where he's going, but eventually they'll have to know."
"Maybe Dad could talk to them? I think Jasper's scared to."
Dad puts a hand on my knee. "Of course, Son. You know I'll help however I can."
Mom suddenly starts crying, and Dad pulls her into his arms. "He's so small… like Owen was. I miss him so much."
"I know," Dad murmurs into her hair, his voice unsteady. "Maybe Owen sent us Jasper because he knew Jasper needed us."
I crawl into their arms, and they pull me close. My sisters follow, piling on until we're all wrapped together, Dad's arms holding our whole family tight.
It doesn't take long before Anna starts tickling me, her giggles pushing the sadness away. She's only five and the youngest. I tickle her back, and then Meg jumps on me. She's usually the calm one, but not tonight. Mom and Dad don't rescue me, so I finally give in and call uncle.
Later, lying in bed, I think about what Dad said. Maybe Owen did send us Jasper. Maybe Jasper really does need us. Part of me feels guilty, like befriending him means replacing my brother. But if Owen were here, he'd want me to look out for Jasper. He always cared so deeply about other kids, even when he was the one sick.
If he'd met Jasper, he would've been worried about him just like I am.
"I'll take care of him," I whisper into the dark, hoping my brother hears me.