(Hudson)
My dad is quiet during the short drive home. I can tell he is angry about what Jasper's dad said, and honestly, so am I. Twice, I open my mouth to tell him about Jasper getting beaten, but I shut it again. Jasper asked me not to tell anyone, and I don't want him ending up in foster care because of me.
"I'm not going to police you both constantly while he's here. Whatever you do stays here and does not leave this house. Do you understand what I'm saying, Son?"
"If we break his dad's rules, you don't want to know about it?" I shift in my seat so I can see him better.
"I'm not sure what you're talking about," he says as he opens his door. His tone makes it very clear that he does, in fact, know exactly what I mean.
I get out and follow him inside. Mom appears before we reach the kitchen.
"How did it go?"
"His dad is a piece of work. He claimed Isaac had the flu."
"He didn't have the flu," I mutter, and both my parents look straight at me. "His dad found out he was hanging out with me and grounded him. And he hates the name Isaac, so please call him Jasper when he's here."
"So what was the verdict?" Mom sounds like an attorney gathering evidence.
"He is allowing him to come over. I used being a judge to make an impression and persuade him. I hate doing it, but I don't think Jasper's dad would have agreed otherwise." Dad sets his keys on the counter. "And I might have implied that I am a strict father who does not spoil his kids."
Mom laughs. "You spoil our kids more than I do."
And he does. He spoils us in all the best ways. He always shows up. He loves us openly. He buys ice cream even when he is running late. He never misses a school event. My dad is the best.
---
Jasper shows up on the back porch while I am still eating breakfast. He looks pale and shaky, but he is smiling as wide as I am.
I hug him right away and take his hand. "Come on, I'll make you breakfast."
He is carrying a small plastic grocery bag. He drops it on the floor next to the counter. "My parents said I don't have to come back until tomorrow."
That makes the whole day even better than I expected. I grin and help him up onto the bar stool. He winces, and I remember his dad must have hit him. I rush to grab one of Mom's living room pillows and slide it under him. His eyes fill with tears, and he tries to blink them away. My chest aches that simple kindness makes him emotional. I hug him again before getting bowls.
"Do you like Cap'n Crunch Berries?"
"I don't know, but I've always wanted to try it."
I pour two bowls, add milk, and sit beside him. "The best way is to eat the crunchy yellow ones first, then eat all the berries at the end."
He copies me but in a hurry, shoveling the cereal like he has not eaten in days. If his parents take food away often, I am going to bring him something every single day. I cannot imagine my own parents doing that. It would break me.
"Do you want another bowl?"
He starts to nod, then stops. "I'd better not. I don't want to throw up."
Mom comes in with my sisters, and they immediately swarm around Jasper. Who would not? He looks so small and sweet.
After they finish bugging him, I make excuses and grab my backpack so we can go to the tree house. Mom packs sandwiches while I cram in as many drinks and snacks as I can find. We wave goodbye and head into the woods, holding hands as we walk.
We spread our sleeping bags over the mat and lie there reading chapter after chapter to each other.
"Let's eat lunch," I say after hours of reading. My stomach growls almost as loudly as his.
We share the food and lie back on the sleeping bags. A quiet falls between us until Jasper finally asks, "Do you think we will be friends forever?"
There is a tremble in his voice that makes me turn onto my side to look at him. "Yes. Friends forever. You are going to be my best friend for life. I promise."
He turns his head, and I see tears filling his green eyes. "What if I do something that makes you mad?"
"So what? Friends forgive each other. Friends love each other no matter what." I want him to feel safe with me. "How about we make a pact?"
"A pact?"
"Yes. We swear that no matter what happens, we will always be there and will always love each other."
Maybe boys do not usually say the word love to each other, but I do not care. Jasper needs love. Maybe I do too.
He nods slowly and reaches for my hand. "I solemnly swear to be your best friend forever. I will always be here for you and love you no matter what happens."
I squeeze his hand and let those words sink into my heart, easing the pain I have carried since Owen died. "I solemnly swear to be your best friend and never leave you. I will never hurt you and will always love you. No matter what happens."
A tear slips down his cheek, and I blink back my own. This moment feels important, deep in my chest. I know we will be best friends forever.
He falls asleep soon after, curled beside me. I wrap my arm around him carefully. He looks exhausted, and I worry his dad has hurt him worse than I know. I fall asleep holding him close, already determined to protect him and make him happy.
---
The day passes too quickly. It is the best day I have ever had. My parents love Jasper the same way I do. It is funny how easily we fit together despite how different we are. I am big, he is small. I love sports, he loves books. The differences never bother us.
That night, he is in a sleeping bag on the floor while I am in my bed. But he looks so small and alone down there. It feels wrong.
"Come share my bed," I say, leaning down and offering my hand.
It is a twin bed, but it is the same size as the mat in the tree house, so we make it work. We lie there talking forever, staring up at the ceiling and laughing at stupid things. Jasper falls asleep first, and I drift off right after him.
His cries wake me later, and I realize he is having a nightmare. I pull him gently into my arms and whisper soothing words, the same way I used to comfort my brother when he was in pain. After only a minute, he buries his face into me and becomes quiet, calm, and peaceful. Holding Jasper close like this feels perfect. It makes some of the hurt I've been carrying lately fade away. It feels like he is a special gift, given just to me.