Just Another Hero (21 page)

Arielle laughed inwardly, mildly embarrassed at her assumption that Osrick would even ask her to go out. She hoped, she really, truly hoped, Susan would say yes.

“So that's why Susan got the text message! Do you talk to her often?”

“I've had her number forever. I've never used it until today,” he admitted.

“I think that's wonderful, Osrick,” she told him. “Seriously awesome.”

“Hey, there's my dad,” Osrick said then as he saw a car pull up into the lot. “I gotta go, Arielle. I'll see you next week. This has been an amazing day.” He strode away toward the car, seeming somehow bigger and stronger than he had that morning.

Arielle stood alone by the flagpole. He was right. It had been an unbelievable day. She hoped Jack could find peace, Eric would find smooth roads to travel, and Osrick could find the power he needed. She thought of Dana and Kofi, Jericho and Olivia, and November and even Roscoe—thankful that they were alive, and so very grateful that they were her friends. Chad, like a fleeting storm cloud, crossed her mind only briefly.

Arielle could hear Miss Singletary still speaking excitedly about the day's incidents. Arielle caught the names of Jack, Eddie, Kofi, and Jericho as she slowed to listen to the woman. “So what makes a hero, and who is the hero of the day?” the woman was asking the audience on the other side of the camera she faced. After pausing for effect, the reporter said, “We'll bring you updates on the school shootings in an hour. This is Natasha Singletary, News Five Live.”

Arielle breathed deeply of the spring air that promised flowers as well as rain. She ducked under a ribbon of crime scene tape, sprinted toward the parking lot, then whispered the answer to the reporter's question into the soft breeze.