Freedom

Rainbow making

{chapter 19}

Craft supplies and scraps of paper littered her hospital room floor. Persephone sat uncomfortably against her bed with a pillow propping her up. Although she had a broken leg, she managed to stay in a position that was good enough to not hurt her back.

"Glitter."

"But why?"

"Parker is a male. But midnight skies need glitter. Boy, girl. Anything. You need glitter."

"Whatever you say." I said with a smirk.

I could see she was trying not to laugh. This was only because of the broken rib and bruising she had. She was close to being healed for the rib, so the doctors were attempting to get her into new positions to better see the progress she'd made. Her IV was carted around wherever she went.

"How are you feeling?"

She looked at me, as if daring me to ask such a thing.

"I'm fine." She looked away and added glue to her poster.

"Finished!" Persephone chimed.

Her posters were splayed all over the floor. Colors of yellow and deep blue shimmered underneath the glitter she used.

"I'm going to try to climb into bed. I swear if you help me I will kick you with my good leg."

"Alright, alright", I laughed. "Don't be so slow this time." She stuck her tongue out at me and made her way onto her hospital bed.

After I tucked her in, she ordered me around the room to hang up the posters and paintings we had created. Our pictures flowed together as if they were meant to be one big mural.

"Well. I think it looks great. Don't you Persephone?"

"It looks like a clown threw up. Parker will love it!"

***

After calling Parker and the rest of our families, we waited for their arrival. I had run to the store up town and bought a cake for the occasion. Persephone brushed her hair and braided it. I forgot what she called the braid.

Persephone's mom and dad rushed through the door.

"What's wrong? Is Persephone okay?"

They stopped after seeing the 'Happy Birthday Parker!' sign in front of them.

A tear ran down her moms cheek.

"This is beautiful you two."

My family and all the kids came in next. Clara toddled in with Parker.

"Persephone."

"Yes Parker?"

"Thank you."

"I love you Parker."

"I love you too."

We sang to Parker and ate cake. Persephone looked happy and not nearly as sick as before.

About half way through Persephone fell asleep. Our younger sisters were also getting tired so our parents decided it would be best to take them home.

They woke Persephone up so my family could tell her good bye. After they left I waited in the hall for her family to talk with her.

Her mother, sister, and Parker came out together. They thanked me and told me bye.

Her dad came out a few minutes later.

"You planned this?"

"With the help of your daughter, sir."

"You have been treating her well. I can tell. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

He shook my hand and walked away. He was a kind man.

I walked into Persephone's room and was greeted with empty walls.

"What happened?"

"What do you mean?"

"Where are all of the pictures?"

"Oh. They folded them. They're in my dresser now. You need to be going soon. It's almost 8."

"I know. I needed to say good bye first."

"Can you keep me a promise?"

"Of course."

"Promise me you'll never need to say good bye. Because good bye is forever. I never want to see you leave. You've made me feel better. That's more than I can say for anyone else. So, please. Stay. Maybe not here in this hospital. But stay with me."

"That's an awful big promise that I am willing to make."

"Tell me."

"I promise you, Persephone."

"I love you."

"I love you too."