Dearest One

Chapter Two

Piero had decided to explore the hospital. It was mid afternoon and Doctor Marquez had left him behind after the appointment with Curtis. He was going through all of the hospital's departments.
He was currently in the Pediatrician ward. He had already visited a few kids. He'd played with them, read to them and spent some time with each one.
"Piero," Pablo called out walking over.
Piero smiled.
"I need you." Pablo said hurriedly.
"For what?"
"I have a young patient, he came in with severe migraines. We checked him out and found it wasn't just simple headaches, it's a tumor. We were set to operate on him over a week ago but the dad doesn't want to give us consent." He explained. "They haven't come to see him in a few days and he's rightfully upset. He doesn't want to eat or play or do anything. Usually, kids are the ones with the most joy and will to live but, not this kid. I've never seen anything like it." He finished.
"That's horrible." Piero said feeling sad for the poor boy.
"I think you could help him." Pablo begged.
-
Piero walked into the boy's room with a tray of food.
"Ugh, another Doctor." The boy mumbled.
"Oh, you don't like doctors?" Piero asked.
"None of them." The boy rolled his eyes.
"I don't like them either." Piero sighed rolling his eyes and sat on a chair next to the bed.
"But aren't you a doctor?" The boy raised an eyebrow.
"I am, but I don't like myself either. I wanted to be a fireman but they wouldn't give me a fire hose."
The boy actually cracked a smile.
"I want to be a soldier." The boy said smiling.
"Well, you can't be a soldier if you don't eat." Piero said, placing the tray of food on the boy's lap.
"My mom said she was going to come everyday to feed me.... I've been here a week and she's only come twice. She always says she has things to do and leaves in a hurry." His smile disappeared.
"Well, maybe she's busy taking care of your other brothers and sisters?" Piero suggested.
The boy shook his head. "I'm an only child."
"Well, maybe she has things to do. She is an business woman. But you don't want your mom to show up and see you all malnourished and slinky. That would just make her sad. Come on, eat a little bit so you can be big and strong." Piero coached. The boy took the spoon Piero handed to him and started nibbling at his potatoes.
"What's your name?" He asked.
"Jeff, and yours?"
"Mine's Piero."
They talked for a while longer and Piero became quickly attached to the raven-haired boy. His dark eyes shined with mischief and curiosity with every word Piero spoke, and he had endless questions about everything. From the functions of different machines that were in the room, to medical procedures, to why picking your nose was bad for you and if buggers were actually bad for your health. Piero couldn't think of one reason why this boy's parents weren't more involved in his treatments and health. He was only about eleven or twelve, shouldn't they be  over protective and spoiling him rotten? By what Piero heard from Jeff, his parents were beyond wealthy and successful. So why didn't his dad allow the treatment Jeff needed? Was it because of greed? Or just pure indifference?