In the chemistry room, Shay was also shaking so hard she thought she was in a freezer rather than a classroom. After they were sure it was the police, Adam opened the closet door and told Shay to stay put. He saw the uniform and opened his room door. An armed officer stepped in and Adam let him know there was student in the back of the room. Once he verified who she was, he left and shouted, “Clear!”
Shay slowly walked out and stood next to Adam. “You okay?” he asked.
“No. I’m not okay. I’m scared to death and I feel sick. I just want to go home.” That’s when the thought hit her. “My mom! Oh, my God! My mom!”
Adam ran behind her as she tore down the hall and upstairs to the guidance office. She saw police, people from the Coroner’s office, and then the two lifeless forms under the sheets with one draped with a flag.
And then, she saw her. “Mom!!” Shay ran to her and didn’t notice she was holding Cameron’s hand. “Oh, mom! I was so scared. Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, honey. How are you?” she said as they hugged one another hard and long.
“Okay…I guess. Adam protected me the whole time,” she said as tears began to fall once she felt safe enough to let the emotional tension drain out of her.
“I had someone here to protect me, too,” Erin said as she reached for Cameron’s hand again.
Adam took Shay in his arms and held her as Cameron did the same to Erin. Others were holding someone. Many were crying. Some sat in stunned disbelief. The brothers held the women they loved for a very long time until they felt safe enough to move.
“Let’s go home,” Erin said to Shay. She looked at the two brothers and said, “I think we all have a lot to talk about. This may not be the best time, but we’re going to have to talk.”
The other three all nodded in agreement. Adam was still holding Shay who said, “Do you think it would okay to kiss me again?”
“Considering what just happened, I believe that’s the least of anyone’s concerns.” He gently brushed her hair back and kissed her softly. “Let me know how you’re doing later on, okay?” he said to her.
“I will,” she told him.
Erin and Cameron were still holding hands. “Normally, I’d be too afraid also, but as Adam said, after this, a public kiss seems so trivial.” Cameron moved closer as she closed her eyes and let him kiss her for all the world to see even though no one paid any attention. Right then, nothing else mattered to anyone. Not even Shay objected when she saw this boy her own age kiss her mother just a few feet from where she stood. Everyone just needed comfort. There would be time to sort it all out later. For now, there were lives to be mourned, bodies to be buried, and emotional scars to heal. Love was the first step in that long, arduous process or recovery.
There was no school the next day. On the following morning, there was a memorial service for Dr. Young and grief counselors were available for anyone who needed to discuss what had happened.
Erin suggested the four of them go to her office to talk and the other three agreed. She closed the door as everyone sat down. She sat with them rather than at her desk.