Shirley had barely stepped off the plane when her phone buzzed with a call from James, informing her that Abner had been assaulted.
She thought she'd misheard. Abner, always so mild-mannered and non-confrontational, getting into a fight?
Rushing to the hospital, she spotted James in the hallway.
"Mr. James."
"Shirley!"
James, visibly shaken and with a trembling voice, blurted out, "He was rushed into the ER last night. He's stable now, just a minor concussion, but he's lost quite a bit of weight. Go see him."
Shirley, heart pounding, hurried into Abner's room.
Abner, awake with bandages wrapped around his head and looking pale, barely whispered, "Shirley?"
"Abner!" Shirley's eyes instantly welled up with tears.
"What happened? How did you end up fighting?"
Abner hung his head in silence, but James couldn't hold back and spilled everything about how Abner's background had been exposed.
Shirley was taken aback. The ordeal had been ongoing for two months, with Abner facing isolation at school, yet he hadn't breathed a word of it to her.
"Shirley, don't get mad. It wasn't Abner who sought trouble. It was a few boys from another class who cornered him."
Tears rimmed Shirley's eyes as she grasped Abner's hand. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Shirley, I didn't want to worry you."
Hearing this, Shirley felt an acute pain in her heart.
How could he be so considerate?
She took a deep breath. "Rest up. Mr. James and I will handle some things at school."
Her face was stern, signaling her intent to get to the bottom of this.
Abner clutched at her sleeve, reluctant to let her go.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Dear Ex-wife Marry Me novel (Maja)
Author, would you story about Ryan settling down and another story on Eric regaining his body and memories back from Patrick, and Eric also settling down as I find it so disheartening for him to have gone through what he went through at the research institute, and I'll like for him to get his "golden boy" life back though, not at the detriment of Ian....
When will the author update to finish Beck's story? What about Dylan and Tyler's love lives? Also, I'll like the author to write on Wilma and Elvis ending up together as she was quite persistent in pursuing him. And Shawn's story, Cornelia Sullivan and Omar Casson. Also, a little write-up on Jeff (Ian's assistant) love life, too. Thanks, author for updating....
When will get update?...
What is wrong that the author has not updated this novel in over a month or is there somewhere else that I can continue reading the novel from chapter 1951 upwards? Do tell, please. Thanks....
Is everything alright with writer?...
Author, why are there no updates after almost 2 weeks? What's going on with the updates,Author? Do update soon....
Will any update make for us?...
Is author ok...
Playing too much with my emotions. It’s been 9 days and no updates. What is going on with Fitch and Zoey?...
Is author playing with our emotions?...