Free All the Things I Didn't See by Cindy Sutherland

it because he was the best friend Sam ever had.
The irony wasn’t lost on Sam.
    He pulled on Josh’s hand, getting his attention and pointing to the notebook. Josh held it for him, and he got ready to write a full confession, only to be saved at the last moment by the timely arrival of his parents.
    Mary’s tears and Kenneth’s quiet joy were enough of a distraction that Josh seemed to let it go for a while. But when their eyes met again, Sam knew that Josh hadn’t forgotten and that the final destruction of his heart had only been postponed. He thanked God for small favors.

Chapter 7
    J
OSH leaned wearily against the doorframe as Sam and his parents had some quiet time together. It was the first time Sam had willingly let go of Josh’s hand since he woke up, and it saddened Josh a little.
He stood up straight, clearing his throat.
    “I’m going to go down to the lounge and get some of that motor oil the nurses swear is coffee. Can I bring anyone else one?”
    Mary looked up at him, her face seeming to have lost ten years since Sam woke up.
“I think we’re fine, Josh. Thanks, though.”
Josh looked at Sam and started to laugh. His friend was nodding as furiously as he could without causing himself pain.
“I don’t think so, Peterson. Drink your water.” Sam huffed and glared at him, but Josh knew his heart wasn’t in it.
     
“I’ll be back soon.”
    Sam offered him a tired smile before Josh forced himself out of the room and down the corridor.
When he reached the family lounge, it was thankfully empty. He went in, poured himself a big coffee, and fell into a boneless heap on the couch. He noticed the TV was tuned to CNN.
Holy shit, Sam was awake! He almost couldn’t believe it. He grabbed his cell phone and sent off a text to Jared and then one to Paul.
He’s awake! Docs encouraged. More later!
He was too exhausted for more conversation and figured they could spread the news.
However, he did make one call… to his mom.
His parents had heard the news after all while on their cruise, and she had called. She told him that they would get a flight back to New York from the next port of call.
It had taken everything he had to convince his parents to finish the cruise. They’d only agreed after Josh promised to call them with any news.
The phone was picked up after only a couple of rings.
“Hey, Mom.”
“Hello… Josh? What’s going on? Is it Sam?” Ellen Kelly sounded groggy. He looked at his watch. She’d probably been sleeping.
“Sorry to wake you, Mom. But I promised to call if there was any change.” Josh rubbed his hand over his eyes. “Sam’s awake. He finally woke up!”
“Oh, baby, I’m so glad. Is he okay?”
Josh smiled at the endearment. “Yeah, everything seems good so far.”
“What about you, sweetheart? You okay?”
“I’m fine….” He trailed off. He couldn’t out and out lie to his mother, but she caught him anyhow.
“Joshua Lawrence Kelly, don’t you pull that ‘fine’ garbage with me.”
His breath caught in his throat as he sighed. “I’m as okay as I’m going to get for now. I’ll be better when Sam is.”
He could almost see his mother smile over the phone.
“Of course you will, baby.”
He looked up as something flashed across the screen, and when he focused, he almost dropped his phone. On the screen were his and Sam’s official AS headshots with the teaser “Up next: Soap Star Shooting! Exclusive Video!”
“Mom? I’m real tired. I’m gonna get back to Sam and hopefully get some sleep, okay? Love you!”
“You sure you’re okay, Josh?”
Josh’s eyes never left the screen as a shaky video started to play.
“Yeah, I’m good. Bye, Mom.”
He hung up without listening to her good-byes.
    Whoever had shot the video had obviously been walking down the street and just happened upon the worst day of Josh’s life.
He found himself reaching for the remote and turning up the sound.
    “The crazed gunman confronted Peterson and Kelly Monday afternoon outside