Blandview High Musical

68. Welcome Home, Shayne Topp

— March 8th

"Make sure it's straight." Jade said to Tommy and Damien. "Igor, do this. Igor, do that." Damien muttered. "Keep it up and I'll kick that stool right out from under you!" Jade warned. Things were back to normal for the most part. Today was the day that Shayne was coming home. He had done so well with his chemo and the doctor had given him the okay. Tomorrow they would do the chemo in the afternoon here at home. Damien and Tommy pinned the banner to the wall. Caylie had hand painted it. It read the words: Welcome Home, Shayne Topp! in red paint. He was going to love it.

I was standing in the kitchen when Tommy came in to get something to drink. "Are you excited?" He asked me. "For him to be home? Yes." I said. He grabbed a soda from the fridge and popped the tab open on it. "Guess this means we're coming to an end in our little escapade then, huh?" He asked, taking a drink of the soda. "Well, now maybe you'll finally be able to be with that mystery woman who so curtly replaces me during sex." "That sounds like a little bit of jealousy, love." He said, giving a shot at an English accent. "Just a little bit." I said, mimicking it back. He smiled. "You'll always be special to me." He said.

Jade came into the kitchen to get the cake out. "What are you two being so chummy in here for?" She teased. "Nothing, I was just asking Gill if she was happy that Shayne will be coming home." "Are you kidding me? Of course she's happy." Jade said. Jade had both hands under the cake as she rubbed her shoulder against mine. "Oi, give us a kiss, love." Tommy said to her. "Only in your dreams, Brisco." She said, walking around him and his puckered lips. "You're hopeless, you know that?" He said. I just laughed. I was rearranging the dishware on the counter. It was just going to be us this go round.

We waited for another hour before Damien announced that Shayne's mother had just arrived. She was getting out of her car and Shayne was with her. He was still hooked up to the oxygen tank and doctors said he might not be able to be free from it ever again. There was just too much damage done to his lungs. We let her open the door. "Surprise!" We shouted. Shayne smiled, brighter than I had seen in a long time. "Whoa! You guys did all of this for me?" He asked. "We even got you a cake." I said, walking over and looping my arm through his. I walked him into the kitchen. "We made hot dogs...I know they're not—" He reached up, turning my face towards himself and kissing me. "Everything is so perfect." He said.

Jade reached up, putting her hand over her mouth. "Aww...don't cry." Tommy said, wrapping his arm around her. She scoffed. "How can you not? Look at them." She said. "Jade? Will you go put these things up in his room?" Olivia asked her. "Yes, I will." Jade said. She took the small box of trinkets upstairs to Shayne's room. Tommy stood there in the living room, watching as Shayne and Gill interacted. Caylie and Damien walked over to where they were. Shayne had a certain glow hovering around himself. It was like the sun was at his backside. Tommy had never been connected to religion in any way. He didn't reject the concept, but...he wasn't so familiar with it either. Jade rejoined him. "Do you see that?" He asked. "See what?" She asked, looking around the room. "The light. The light that's around him." Tommy said, softly.

Tommy's breath hitched in his throat. "Is-Is that—?" He couldn't get the words out. Jade placed her hand on his arm. "Let's go get something to eat." She said, pulling him forward. Jade had left the box on Shayne's chest of drawers. She didn't want to put everything away in case he searched for it tonight. She saw the light. The glow that surrounded Shayne. Ever since he started getting better, she could see it, floating around him. She knew what it was. Tommy was awkward about being around Shayne for the rest of the time.

"Can I see you outside for a moment?" He said to Jade. "Mind if I steal him?" Jade asked me. "We can trade." I teased. She walked with Shayne outside. We let them have their moment together. "What's so important out here?" Jade asked. "I just need to do something." He said. He sat down in the metal chair. "Come here. Between my legs." He said. Jade stepped between them and he pulled her forward. He pressed his face against her tummy. He took a deep inhale, sighing. Jade moved her hand to the back of his head, running her fingertips against the softness. "Hey..." He said softly. "You're barely the size of a grape. Just a bundle of cells. It's your Uncle Shayne. This is what my voice sounds like. I thought you might want to hear it before I'm gone." He said. Jade's fingers gripped against his scalp as she felt the tears building in her eyes. "You're going to be good for your mother and father. I need you to love her for me. I need you to be there for her." He said.