My boyfriend tapped on my window late one summer night, waking me up and forcing me to open the window.
"Rylan, what are you doing here?" I wondered.
"You're grounded, Nix. I can't see you during the day, but I can at night," he explained. I smiled at him and nodded.
"So what's going on?" I asked another question.
"You're coming with me," he told me, dropping himself into the bush below and invited me outside with him. I rolled my eyes but eventually agreed and threw myself into the bush, joining him on the ground. "That's more like it." He smiled.
"Where are we going?"
"Woah, you're full of questions tonight!" he exclaimed and chuckled. I stared at him, expecting an answer.
"We're going to the store," he announced.
After we arrived at the store, he ordered, "Go over there and grab some stuffed animals. I'll be over there." He pointed, and I did as I was told then found him again.
He grinned widely. "Good!" With a cart before him, Rylan grabbed different toys, coloring books, puzzles, and dozens of other things kids would enjoy. "Put in the animals," he told me.
After I put the five animals in his cart, he added a few more things and had me do the same. One Sharpie was added to the cart. I'd never been more confused, but I went along with it. When we went to check out, Rylan paid for everything, and we carried out four bags full of random toys.
"What are these for?" I inquired yet once more.
"My curious little Phoenix will see soon," he explained no further; he only drove.
I almost didn't recognize the place where we parked. I soon realized what was going on. Before he could get out, I grabbed Rylan and kissed him lovingly. I knew I loved him more at that moment than ever before.
We broke the kiss, and I grabbed the bags from the backseat as Rylan placed all of the toys in a box and used the Sharpie to write, "Children's Ward." He placed it by the doors of the hospital, not bothering to go in.
"We're not going in to deliver it?" I questioned.
"Work for a cause, not for applause," he responded and paused. "Unknown." I smiled widely at him, and he grabbed my hand, leading me back to his car. I gave him another kiss to thank him for including me on this mission of his.
After spending most of my childhood in the hospital, Rylan knew I'd love to give to the children something I'd never had: entertainment. He chose to sneak me out while I was grounded to do this. We did nothing wrong, nothing illegal. All we did was give back to some unfortunate kids like the one I used to be. I'll never forget that night and the quote Rylan used to make me even more in love with him and more in love with doing good.
