8:43 p.m. Passion Ministry

“Checkmate.” Jimmy toppled the black king.

Andrew was too distracted to notice. Jimmy’s illness had been stable. He couldn’t isolate a new asthmatic trigger, so what was happening? He mentally ran through a list of specialists he might call.

“Surprised you fell for the Ottoman.”

Oscar grinned. Laid another log on the crackling fire.

“What’s surprising, young man,” Andrew retorted, jabbing a pawn at the television. “Is that you can concentrate with that on.”

“CNN helps me think, y’know that.” Jimmy winked at Oscar. “Another game?”

Andrew rummaged in his medical bag. “I’d love to spend time amusing you.” He rose. “But I’m in a hurry. Perhaps Oscar will give it a go while I check you out?”

Oscar’s eyes widened.

Jimmy giggled, then dove onto the sofa. Beaming, Oscar wrestled gently with him.
Andrew stiffened, envious of the boy’s affection for the younger man. Though he’d been with Jimmy since before birth, years of intrusive examinations and painful needles had taken their toll.

Sadly, the youngster was wary of him.