The ride back feels like an 8 hour drive. At every traffic light stop, he places his hand on mine, until the light turns green. We don't say a single word. It's amazing how he makes me feel so calm when I'm around him.
When we arrive at the hospital, Ross carries Grace's bag upstairs and walks me to her room.
"So, I have to warn you, she's also a fan." I giggle, looking through the door that was slightly opened. I walk into the room first, telling Ross to stay outside for a bit.
"Hey there little one," I say. Two sparkling eyes look up to me. "Hi big one!" She grins. "I brought your stuff. You want to have it?" I say, opening the door for Ross. He walks in with the bag still on his shoulder. "Avery, is that..." she whispers softly. "Hi Grace, nice to meet you. I'm Ross Lynch!" he says, walking towards her. A precious smile appears on her face.
I decide to leave the two of them alone for a few minutes. I walk out to get some water when I run into the doctor. "Hi, Avery it was, right? Good to see you. Can I talk to you?" "Sure", I reply to the doctor. "So as you may know, Grace is in good hands here. I know you're still in school and I don't want you to be here 24 hours a day. I know it is hard to have your little sister in the hospital, but it is for the best. Do you understand?" I nod. "But..." I start. "Of course, you can visit her anytime you want, but I'll make sure they'll take care of her." I thank him, not really knowing what to say. Without getting the water I was craving for I walk back to Grace's room.
"Knock knock" I hear her say. "Who's there?" Obviously Ross. I walk into the room, telling Grace to leave the poor boy alone with her stupid knock knock jokes. She completely ignores me, and with a grin on her face she says "Iva." "Iva who?" "I've a sore hand from knocking!"
The two of them burst in to laughter. It takes about 5 minutes for them to stop, which is making me giggle.
"Listen Grace, I talked to the doc. I can't stay here for the whole time. He wants me to get home and sleep there. Do you have a problem with that, because if you have I can...." "No, no it's okay" she interrupts me. "I'll be fine, and my nurse is very sweet. Just go home, it's late already!" I give her a hug and let Ross pull me out of the room.
A tear rolls down my face. "She's very sweet, Ave." Ross says, squeezing my arm. "You know what, why don't you come to my house. My family would love to meet you and that way I'm sure that you'll be fine." he says, a little bit doubtful.
I thank him, saying I’m fine and that he has done enough for me already. “Really Ave, it’s no biggie. I’d love to have you there and I’m sure the rest of my family will too.” For a second time that day, I have again nothing to say. I let him take my hand and lead me to his car. He opens the door for me as a true gentleman and tells me it isn’t that far away from the hospital.
Like earlier that day, he places his hand on mine at every traffic light stop, while softly singing along with the songs on the radio. The raindrops that start falling down fit perfectly with my mood. I can’t help but close my eyes, listen to all the noise around me and even softly sing along with Ross and the radio.
“Ave? Can I ask you something?” Ross asks when the song ended. “Sure, go for it.” “What happened to the rest of your family?” he asks, not knowing where to look. “They ehm… they died in a car accident, 364 days ago.” I say, showing as less emotion as possible. “The rest of the family didn’t want to take care of us. We’ve been on our own ever since.”
It was quiet for a moment. We both didn’t know what to say.
“You know Avery, family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.” And with that, he drove into the driveway.
