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bacon, sausage, biscuits, grapefruit, pancakes, hash browns.
    “I’ll take some of everything.”
    “Wow. Hungry, are we?”
    Once we had our plates full, Tom offered to say a blessing. It wasn’t something we normally did with breakfast, but we weren’t going to object. We both felt comfortable with him around, but I noticed my mom looked extra perky.
    “You’re in a good mood.” I took a bite.
    “Me?” she asked.
    “Uh-huh. Seems like you’re back to normal.”
    “Well, I thought about what you said, and you’re right. Wes is a nice young man, and it’s not
his
fault some lunatic went nuts.” I was about to say exactly, when she continued. “Plus, Tom helped me see things a little clearer. He remembered his father and knows how much Wes’ uncle’s research means.”
    My gaze diverted to Tom. “Really? That’s pretty cool.”
    “Yeah, I’m just glad to see things worked out. Honey, did you show her the paper?”
    My mom dropped her fork and hopped up. “No, I almost forgot! I’ll go get it.”
    She returned with a folded
California Chronicle
and a huge smile on her face. Curious, I opened it to big, bold letters.
     
    Case Closed in Kidnapper’s Death
     
    I read further, unsure whether or not I wanted the recap. I felt both sets of eyes fixed on me as I read, so I was sure to not give way to my reaction.
     
    Police have determined the death of 61-year-old Andrew Walters of Orinda, California, to be an accidental drug overdose. It is unclear as to what type of drug was used, but it is speculated that it was related to stolen lab samples from several well-known research labs, including the California Blood Research Lab owned by 19-year-old heir Weston Wilson III.
     
    Further reports confirmed that Wilson knew the unidentified victim whom Mr. Walters allegedly abducted in exchange for drugs, but no reports as to Wilson’s connection with the deceased have been released.
     
    Police will not confirm if there was ransom involved, but they did state that Mr. Walters had been in search of a cure for a possible illness he may have had.
     
    Wilson, lab owner and heir, is expected to make a public statement regarding this incident.
     
     
    At that point there was no hiding my expression. My mouth dropped open.
    My mom reacted. “What? It’s great news isn’t it?”
    I looked at her like she was speaking another language, then I blinked and cleared my throat. “Um, yes. It is.”
    “What’s wrong? You don’t seem happy about it. I thought you’d be ecstatic. The police have closed the case.”
    “I know. I am. It’s just that Wes doesn’t like a lot of attention, and I’m not sure he’ll like it now.”
    “Oh, he’ll be okay.”
    I forced a smile. “You’re right.”
    Only she wasn’t. This was
not
okay. Wes spent his life trying not to be noticed. He was literally the one and only walking medical phenomenon, and if people found out who he truly was, society would go cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs. Media attention was one hundred percent the last thing he wanted, or needed, and I brought it right to him. I was so stupid.
    Tom interjected, “He does seem like a shy kid, and he has a lot on his shoulders. There aren’t many veteran doctors worthy to sit in the same room as Dr. Thomas, including me. I can’t imagine the pressure that boy feels.”
    My mom gave him an evil look. “I don’t think that’s helping matters, dear.”
    He casually kept eating. “I’m just saying he shouldn’t have to address anyone regarding matters like that. He should leave that to one of the lab reps. Surely he has a spokesperson.”
    My head was starting to spin. Information overload. All I wanted was to speak to Wes and not on the phone. “Mom, I’m done. This was good. Thanks.” I started to grab my plate but she took it.
    “No, no, honey, you go rest. I’ll get it.”
    I didn’t want to rest. I needed to get out of the house. “Okay, I will,” I lied. “But, in a little while, I want to visit