Free BirthRight by Sydney Addae Page B

what happened to him,
but he’s covered in some kind of fur and shaking real bad. Who
should I contact?”
    “Where are you?”
    “I just told you, in the woods off the
trail. Forget it, I’ll call emergency, he’s shaking real bad. I
hope he wasn’t bit by something and having a reaction.” She looked
around for bugs or worse, snakes. Her hand squeezed the phone as
she realized the possibility of being bitten.
    “You need to walk out of there just in case
whatever bit him comes back.”
    Fear choked her, but she couldn’t do what
her son suggested. “I’m not going to leave him alone, something is
seriously wrong with him. He could get worse.”
    “I hear that stubborn note in your voice.
I’ll call the administrator and we’ll come take care of it. You
sure you’re okay?”
    “I’ve had years of experience calming boys
who’ve had accidents, although this one is weird. His legs…anyway,
get him some help fast.” She clicked off and continued stroking the
wet strands on top of the boy’s head. His breathing had slowed and
he grew calmer each second.
    “Help is on the way, you’ll be fine,” she
told him.
    His head moved in her lap and he looked up
at her with dark brown eyes. “Thank you. What’s your name?”
    She smiled. “Tell me yours first.”
    “Callum.”
    “Okay Callum, I’m Jasmine. How are you
feeling?”
    He closed his eyes and then opened them.
“Bad, but not like before. I don’t think I’m dying anymore. Thanks
for that.”
    Surprised, she stared at him for a second
and then smiled. Something inside clicked and she shook her head as
a feeling of well-being flowed through her. She missed caring for
her sons like this. There was no question, when you helped others,
it came back to you in some way. But this was different, his
gratitude touched a chord in her that she hadn’t felt in years. It
was an indefinable something that banished the darkness of her
depression and filled her with light. In that moment she wanted to
sing, to dance with joy, and not for any particular reason other
than it was a bright day.
    “Who are your parents? Should I call
them?”
    He lifted his head and then returned it to
her lap. “He knows and is on his way.”
    True enough, a few moments later the quiet
was interrupted with the arrival of Tyrone, Tyrese, Silas and
Jayden.
    “Mom, remain still,” Tyrese said, standing
nearby.
    “What?” She looked at him with a tilt of her
head.
    “Just stay still while his father takes
him.”
    “Callum?”
    He looked up at her with warm eyes. “That
rude young man who didn’t ask how you’re doing is my son, Tyrese.
The one standing next to him is my other son, Tyrone. They’re
twins. Please forgive their manners. You’re the one in pain, not
me.”
    He chuckled, and then grimaced. “It’s okay.
Thanks for stabilizing me.” He looked around. “Dad?”
    The man she knew as Jayden stepped behind
her. “I need you to move so I can work on him.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry. I just didn’t like seeing
his head on the ground. Can you hold him?” She slid Callum’s head
to his father and slid from beneath him. When she stood, Jayden’s
head whipped around to stare at her.
    Tyrone and Tyrese stepped closer to each
side as she brushed the debris from her pants. Jayden’s eyes
narrowed and he inhaled.
    “Your son is in pain, if you can help him,
please do it,” she said, pointing at the young boy.
    Jayden’s forehead touched his son’s
forehead. A moment later the fur was gone and a long-limbed
teenager lay shivering on the ground.
    “Give him your jacket, Tyrone,” she
demanded. When he took it off, she took it from his fingers and
handed it to Callum. “Put this on.”
    “Yes, Ma’am.” Jayden helped him put on the
light-weight coat that reached to his mid thigh. He stood on shaky
legs with the assistance of his father. Once standing, he looked at
Jasmine and smiled. “Thank you, I owe you my life.”
    Surprised, her mouth dropped. Once