Chapter 2
I wanted to check on all the kids before I left. I went to Daniel's room to check on him. He was doing something with his fingers. I guess he was air playing.
"Hey Daniel." I sat on the edge of the bed.
"Hey, Ms. Beyonce" He stopped.
"You can call me, B." I said.
"Okay." He smiled.
"How long have you been here?"
"A while. What day is it?"
"Monday. Why?"
"My last friend that had my same condition was sick and I-I guess people thought he was contagious so he didn't get many visitors. It was only me, really." He struggled, resisting tears.
I rubbed his shoulder and consoled him.
Flash Back
Daniel.
The doctors told me he would be gone in a few hours. I was just really sad at his bed side. His sweat was thick and rolling down his pillow. He rarely moved. His breathing was heavy and slow. I felt so bad. He hadn't seen any of his family. He had me, though. I would never leave. I remember when someone gave us pizza and they ran out before I could get any. He split his pizza in half and gave me a half. Ever since we just be came like brothers. It sucked to see my brother go.
He looked over at me, "Don't forget me."
"You know I wouldn't. You're my bestfriend and always will be."
"Can I ask you somethin' ?" He coughed.
"Yeah. What?"
"Do...," he huffed, "you know....what day...it is?"
"Its Monday," I said quickly.
Thats when he started to go. The warm tears rolled down my face as I felt my small chest get tighter. My mom always told me "even if you think you're prepared for whats about to happen, you're not." She's right. I'm not. The nurses came in and my parents came in behind. My mother picked me up and pat my head as I sobbed into her shoulder.
The flashback ends.
I stroked his hair as he laid in my arms. Watching these kids suffer from physical and emotional pain, hurt. It hurt so bad. They need someone to keep them sane. Life takes away as much as its given you. Someone has to remind them of that.
"You're going to be fine. You know why? Because you're not alone. You will never be alone. Dying, is scary, but scared is an emotion. Emotion means you're still alive. You still have something. Hold on to that something. People around you will fill you with love and care. Consume it. Those people, won't let you die without knowing the day of the week."
"Josi, is she one of those people?"
"Of course." I smiled.
I stroked his hair until he fell asleep. I tucked him nicely into the bed making sure he was confortable. I went down to Kel and Andy's room before leaving for the day. Andy was right by her sisters side with the chairs lined up. I grabbed her a blanket and put it over her. I filled out some paperwork and was on my way out. It was rainy and wet. I pulled my hair into a ponytail and shoved my hands in my pockets.
"Ms. Knowles?" Some driver asked.
"Yeah?" I said all confused.
"This car is yours," He spoke.
"Uh, no. It must be a mistake." I declined.
"Mr. Jackson sent me."
"Who?"
It finally clicked. That damn football player wanted to impress me.
"Please, Ms. Knowles. He insist." The driver pleaded.
"What about my car?"
"We'll handle it. Which is it?"
I pointed to it. "Over there."
"We've got it. If you don't mind," He opened the door and motioned for me to get in.
What the hell? I got in. The driver closed the door and I grabbed a few grapes in the small frig. It was good to just kick back.
"Where to, ma'am?"
"57 Colin Street. Its behind the McDonalds on 5th." I instructed.
We drove and I realized, now he knows where I live. Great.
[At home.]
I was at home, laying on my bed. I was watching my favorite episode of Scandal. I was on my laptop looking up the new Pediatrics surgeon coming soon. I like to do my research. I'm typing away and scrolling. Then, my phone rings. Around this time a nurse usually calls to give an update so I just answered the phone.
"Hello," I answered.
"Hey beautiful." I heard a deep voice.
Oh fuck. It was the football player. I was hoping to not really see him again.
"Yes?" I said hoping he got the hint.
"What are you doing?" He sounded very casual.
"Laying here, doing research."
"Smart girl or stalker girl?"
"Tad bit of both." I joked.
When we both laughed I realized he was somehow slipping into a conversation. I don't even know his name.
"I'm sorry, but um, this is weird." I spoke a little nervous.
"What's weird?"
"You know more about me than I know about you."
"I thought I fixed that with my little story."
"Not quite." I laughed.
"What about you? I don't know your name." He flipped it.
"I don't know yours!" I spat back.
"Okay. Lets do this. We will both introduce ourselves. We will only say what we're willing to share." He finished.
"Great. You start." I didn't want to just put myself out there.
"Fine. My name is Jaheem Jackson. I play safety for the Georgia, Falcons-.."
"The Falcons?" I interrupted.
"Yeah."
"Yall sorry." I shook my head.
"Don't do us like that." He said playfully.
"Okay. Well, I'm Beyonce. Currently, I work in the Pediactric ward/NICU at Peach Memorial Hospital-."
"So those kids, are your babies?"
"Yes, and frankly, I didn't appreciate you using my babies as publicity candy." I stated.
It got quiet on the phone for a while.
Then, he apologized, "I'm sorry. I didn't know they meant that much to you. It was selfish."
"I accept your apology, but you should come back. Come without the camera crew this time."
"Uhhh...-"
"Okay. Bye." I reached to hang up.
"Wait! Okay. I will." He surrendered.
"Great! Bring pizza!" I said excited for the kids.
"Pizza?"
"Circular, it comes with different toppings. You eat it in slices-.."
"I know what pizza is, but why would I bring it?"
"You owe the kids." He had put them through a shitty day.
"Fine."
"Yay! Goodnight!"
"Goodnight beautiful."
