Breathing is Hard

Chapter One: Money Probs.

"I want candy."

"Peony, you legit just had lunch."

"I still want candy."

"Where do you put all that food?"

"In my tummy."

"So sassy."

"Can I have candy?"

I looked over at her, she was busy playing with a puzzle at a muti-colored table. There was a boy, about two years younger than Peony, sitting next to her. She was actively ignoring his presence. I presume his mother was sitting three chairs to my left. The boy snatched a puzzle peace from Peony, gaining her attention, and ran off with it. She just stood up and staired at him. "Come and get it!" He teased. Peony looked down and put a hand on her cart. Just as I was about to stop her from going after him, his mother called, "James, you give that back now!" He pouted and stomp his feet, as if that was some form of protest. He slowly aproched Peony, and handed over the piece. His mother sat next to me and said, "I am so sorry, he has two older bothers back at home. He doesn't understand." I laughed the answered, "Oh it's just fine. Peony would have chased after him." She would have, if his mother hadn't said anything.

"I am Janie," said the boys mother. "Calla-Lilly," I answered. "Wow, what a beautiful name!" Janie exclaimed. "Thank you," I chuckled. I looked at her son. He seemed way to healthy to be here. "Do you mind if I ask as to why you are here? I mean, your son looks just as assiduous as any other toddler." Janie shook her head and smiled, "I don't mind. James has stomach problems, he has to be hooked up to a feeding tube at night." I nodded. We were at Dr. Dean's office. He deals with children's severe illnesses. I am meeting him today to discuss other treatment options for Peony. "How about your daughter?" (I would think it would be obvious.) "Oh, Peony is my sister. She has a bad set of lungs." Janie laughed, "I thought you would be to young of a mother!" I smiled. Peony drug her cart over to me. "It's making weird noses," She stated. I checked the cart over and said, "It's because it's almost out. I'll change it out when we go see the doctor."

"It itches," She stated and pointed at the little tubes going into her nose. It gives her a constant flow of oxygen. "Then scratch it," I laughed.

"That won't work,"

"Why not?"

"Only candy will make it stop." Janie and I laughed at Peony.

"Tell you what, if you are super good, I'll take you to get ice cream and will go to the park."

Peony smiled broadly, and sat back with James. The rest of the wait, Janie and I shared our stories. Janie's husband left her soon after James was born. "He just plainly stated that he couldn't handle James's illnesses! I'd always thought that men were supposed to be the strong ones." Janie had to move back in with her father, who was apparently loaded. I told her about Peony's freak accident.

"That poor child," 

I nodded. "Janie Hooper?" called a nurse. "Tell you what, I'll give you and Peony a ride to that ice cream shop, that way we can talk more." Janie added as she stood up. "I can't make you wait for us!" I exclaimed. "Well, that's not your choice!" 

And that's how I met my best friend.