COURTSIDE (BoyXBoy)

eleven

Austin

" You know the kids have been asking for you all week." My mom says to me as we both walk into the hospital together.

" You would think that they didn't just see me a week ago." I reply in amusement.

" Yeah, well a week is like a month in a child's mind." She replied.

As we walk in through the front door we're greeted by the ever so happy Mrs Delfin, the front desk lady.

" Good morning Dr. Jones." She greets my mother with a smile.

" Good morning Barbra how are things going with you today?" My mom replies.

" Good as usual and with you?"

" Well you know same old." Mom replies back.

"Austy boy the kids and I have been missing you." She acknowledges to me engulfing me in a hug.

" You guys always do this it's only been a week." I said hugging her back.

" Well a week away from you is simply a week too long if you ask me." She says as we separate from our embrace.

" I'm gonna go do my morning rounds I'll see you later sweetheart." My mom says kissing me on the cheek before heading to the wards.

" So are the kids in the social room?" I asked Mrs Delfin

" Most of them are but Jared wasn't doing too well yesterday so he's in his room resting." She answered

" Okay then I'll be sure to go look for him before I leave." I said as I was about to walk off she stopped me.

" Oh Austy before you go I forgot to mention we have a new volunteer that joined us today. He's around your age so I was hoping that you would help him out and show him how things work around here." She informs me.

" Sure no problem at all. We could always use more volunteers." I reply.

" He's already in the social room with the kids. I think Emily is currently using him as a pony." She says causing us both to laugh.

" Yup that sounds about Emily." I replied.

" I'll see you later Mrs Delfin." I say walking off to the social room.

" For the millionth time son please call me Barbara." She says after me as I make my way down the hall.

"Sorry!" I shout back as quietly as one could shout that is. This is a hospital after all.

When I made my way into the social room I was greeted immediately by all the excited children.

"Austin!" They yell as they run up to hug me.

"We missed you so much"

"Yeah we haven't seen you in forever."

"I promise you guys it's only been a week." I replied to them.

"We made a new friend today." Ava says to me.

"Really are they nice?" I ask

"Yeah he's really cool and really tall." Malcom answers.

"Good well I can't wait to meet him."

"He's over there with Emily playing pony." Ava indicates.

Sure enough in one of the corners of the room was Emily on the back of someone who was on all fours. He was facing the opposite direction so I couldn't see his face. I make my way over to introduce myself and also give the poor guy a break.