Sweethearts [1] || tom holland

Chapter 15: Children's Hospital Visit

November 22, 2016
New York Presbyterian Hospital, Manhattan, New York City

WARNING: Triggers of cancer (Hodgkin's lymphoma) and sick children.

Manhattan was turned white with the sprinkling of snow falling on the city. The Tuesday morning sun gave a wintry atmosphere over New York as we drove through the bustling streets in a black SUV.

Daniel was driving us from our hotel in the Upper East Side to the children's hospital where me, Tom and Jacob would be surprising the sick children. Tom had brought his Spider-Man costume to dress up and entertain the kids. Is this man an angel or what?

I sat behind Daniel's seat and my mom occupied the seat next to me. Tom and Jacob had taken residence in the back of the car.

Daniel pulled up outside the hospital and we got out of the car. My seat was pulled forward so Tom and Jacob could climb out. I shivered slightly in the bitter cold and pulled my red flannel over me tightly. We headed inside the reception of the hospital where staff members were lined up waiting to meet us. The nurses and female staff members were grinning like idiots when they saw Tom. I rolled my eyes slightly and chuckled under my breath.

A middle-aged man in a grey suit approached us and shook all of our hands.

"Welcome to the Presbyterian Hospital. I'm Mr. Baxter, the hospital director," he said. "It's a pleasure to have you here today."

"We're happy to be here," Tom said.

"So, are you ready to meet the kids?" Mr. Baxter asked.

"Yeah, it's gonna be fun," I said as we walked down the hallway.

Tom pulled the Spider-Man suit out of his bag.

"Is there anywhere I could put this on?" He asked.

Mr. Baxter pointed to the staff changing rooms. "You can change in there."

Tom disappeared into the changing rooms with his stylist Christine. Jacob and I waited outside and started chatting to my mom to pass the time.

"We're too used to hospitals by now, aren't we Ellen?" My mom said.

I nodded sadly and gazed down the corridor at the adjoining wards.

"Yeah. More used to them than I'd like," I sighed.

"Why?" Jacob asked.

"My mom had Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2012," I informed him. "We've been in and out of hospitals for years."

Jacob gasped and covered his mouth. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"It's fine," my mom interrupted. "I'm in the clear now and I've been cancer-free for four years in December."

"Oh that's so good," Jacob smiled. "Well come, Mrs. Donnelly."

I laughed at Jacob's response and so did my mom. A few minutes later, Tom came out of the room wearing the Spider-Man suit. He held the mask in his hand, ready to put it on when we got to the wards.

"Are you guys ready?" Mr. Baxter asked.

"Yeah, let's do it," Tom said.

Mr. Baxter continued down the corridor and we followed behind him. My mom was talking to Jacob behind me and Tom was walking next to me. He was fiddling nervously with his mask and even his walk was off. Yeah, I know, I'm weird like that and I know how he walks.

"You ok, Tom?" I asked quietly.

Tom jumped slightly and smiled nervously. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just the kids, you know."