Summer Love

Chapter 4

Once we got to the Hospital Cafeteria, we got a few drinks and took a seat in the back. That way, it'd be harder to see fans. Jess put her elbows on the table and leaned over with her head down. She had a strong grip around her Snapple Iced Tea. She wiped away a few tears. I took her hands.

"Jess, I don't know what to say. Do you need to..." My voice faded as another lump formed in my throat.

"As long as you're here, I'll be alright. Better than I was before, at least," there was a slight pause, "I'm sorry I didn't answer your call. I was asleep in the room upstairs and I so was daddy When I woke up, I didn't want to wake him up."

"Don't worry about it; I understand," I wrapped her hands around mine even tighter as I kissed one of them and set it gently back down.

She paused again before saying, "There was something important too wanted to tell me. What was it?"

My heart dropped in my stomach. I couldn't ask her now, her family needed her more than ever. I knew what that felt like. I swallowed hard, "Well, I was going to ask..." I stumbled over my words," if you- maybe - you could -" I couldn't get the right words out. I took a deep breath before saying, "I wanted you to come back to Cheshire with me for a week with me. Your dad is sick though, you need to stay here, love."

She gasped, "Harry! I would've loved too. But you're right, I need to stay with my dad. There's not much time left with him."

We both looked down at the ground. There was nothing more to say. I took a few sips of my coffee and surveyed the area. Jess looked up at me a few times. Finally, she spoke, "Lets go back upstairs. Maybe if my dad has more strength you can meet him."

I helped her up, "Let's go."

We walked back to her father's room slowly. I had a tight grab around her hand. It was freezing. She was probably scared to death. I was too, for her. I hated seeing her like that. I understood, it was a natural feeling to be emotionally dead when something like that happens. I wanted things to get better.

We made it back to floor 3, room 227. She put the key in and turned the doorknob slowly, trying not to disrupt anything. Her father was awake.

"Hi, daddy. How do you feel?" Jess walked over go ill father and kissed his pale forehead.

"A little stronger. Thanks, hun. And who's this? Is this Harry?" He cracked a smile.

Jess walked over to me and smiled with a hint of delight, "Yes it is," her right and rested on my left shoulder. Her left hand was on my stomach.

"Hello, Mr. Sage. Nice to meet you," I took a few steps toward him and put out my hand. His weak one met mine an shook it slightly.

"Same goes for you, son. Sorry, my handshake isn't what it used to be," he paused, "damn cancer."

I walked back over to Jess and put my arm around her. My other arm went straight down to my pants pocket. A nurse walked in.

"Sorry, you all have to leave. Mr. Sage will be getting his weekly chemotherapy treatment in about ten minutes. We have to prep him...now," the nurse's voice stop dead as she looked at me, "Oh my god! My daughter loves you! Can I please take a picture with you to show her?" Her voice went from monotone to excited in a matter of seconds.

"Of course, ma'am. Please keep the reason I'm here in the hospital quiet, though." I smiled at her.

The nice lady replied, "Of course."

We snapped the picture and said bye. We all walked out of the room. I asked Jess, "Where's your mother?"

"She has to work. She'll get here later the evening."

A few minutes later, a doctor walked in the room and gestured towards us in greeting.

"I'm going to go back inside for a moment to say bye to dad. Lets go our for dinner like you wanted. I want to as well. I need some time away," Jess said.

I nodded and leaned up against the wall. I waited for Jess to come back and I escorted her back down through the entrance of the hospital.