Free This Very Moment by Rachel Ann Nunes Page B

so they had used the longer version of the commercial. He bet either version would bring results.
    He turned to another channel and again the tragic faces peered out at him, beckoning, pleading. All the pleas seemed to be directed at him. What more could he do? When the burned child appeared on the screen, Bill felt a sudden rage emerge within him. He hadn’t been able to help Nicole; her burned body had been beyond any earthly help. There was no mythical God to save her, either, or to protect these wretched children. There was only Kylee and those like her. He would give his money to their cause but not his hope nor his heart. There might not be enough of it left to break again, but he wouldn’t give anything the chance.
    Bill jabbed at the remote and the room fell silent. He pulled the blanket from the other side of the couch over him, too tired to walk up the stairs to his cold bed.
    That night he dreamed of the accident, of Nicole’s ash-covered wedding ring glinting dully on her blackened finger. The wedding ring was the only thing that had positively identified her faceless body. He screamed, and turned his eyes heavenward, pleading, but there was no answer. When he looked down again at the woman in his arms, it wasn’t Nicole but Kylee he held, her barely recognizable face turning to him, begging for help. The doctor part of him knew he might be able to save her. She wasn’t burned nearly as badly as Nicole had been. The burned Kylee lifted an arm toward him, but in his dream Bill dropped her body and ran.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER SEVEN
     
    Kylee was jubilant. After only seven days of TV commercials, Children’s Hope had already received four million dollars more in contributions—a very good sum for the beginning week of advertising. She called Elaina with the news and then dialed Bill at his office.
    “Four million, Bill, can you believe it? In small donations from people all over the United States. The amount should only increase because it generally takes repeat viewing for people to act. I’ve tried TV before and had a fair amount of success, but this time it’s really working. I can’t wait for the children to begin their operations! Elaina has them scheduled beginning next Monday. It’s really going to happen!”
    “Sounds like we need to celebrate. How about dinner? I’m finished here for the day, so I could swing around and pick you up.”
    “I don’t know, our banquet isn’t until tomorrow night,” Kylee replied with a laugh. “Don’t you think it’ll ruin our record? You know, only seeing each other on Saturday banquet nights.”
    “I think we can be adult enough to handle the conversation without having to donate money or accept awards.”
    “Very funny. But seriously, I can’t go tonight. That’s the other reason I called. You have to watch the late news on ABC. I’m being interviewed—live! Well, almost live. They’re doing a few takes and choosing the best one, but there’s not going to be time for much editing. I think they’re only giving me thirty seconds, plus an excerpt from my video and a brief take of Elaina and two children. But everyone’ll see it. I’m going down to the station now.”
    “That means contributions will pick up.”
    “I think they’ll at least triple in this state, and the broadcast might get picked up nationwide. I was so excited that I had to call and tell you.”
    “I’m glad you did. I’m really happy for you.”
    “Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night at the banquet.”
    “That reminds me,” Bill said. “Would you believe I actually got some business from that first banquet?”
    “Who was it? Someone from our table?”
    There was an awkward silence, as though Bill regretted his words. “Just a lady. I guess I really shouldn’t have brought it up. I don’t know why I did. Patient privacy and all that.”
    Kylee was too curious to let it drop. “It was Mrs. Boswell, wasn’t it? Audrey’s friend. It has to be