The Boy In The Hospital Gown

Chapter 2

I smiled to myself as I waved goodbye to the spunky little brunette, Keely, I believe her name was.

"Bye cutie! Don't you forget about Koi-Koi's party tonight!" Keely ran after her friend waving at me over her shoulder.

Chuckling I took a look down at the invitation from Keely.

It's a Birthday Bash for Koi!

Location: 52 Walnut Street

Time: 10 p.m.

No RSVP required.

I tucked the invitation into the back pocket of my cargo shorts, untying the apron from around my neck as I walked to the back of my aunt's shop, Moonbeams, a popular coffee shop that both my best friend and I conviently worked at.

" Hey buddy! Do me a favor and give Lil guy his board back, will ya?" My Aunt Shirley walked into the back room taking my apron in exchange for a beat up skate board, " and give him a hug from his favorite aunt."

"Can do!" I said kissing my aunt on the cheek before slipping on my jacket, preparing for the cold walk to Blessings Hospital.

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I walked down the familiar corridors of Blessings Hospital politely nodding to nurses as I passed until i reached my desired room.

I peeked in the room to see my best friend sitting in his bed looking pale and broken watching some hockey game.

"Hey there buddy!" I waved with one arm keeping the board hidden behind my back, "what are you watching?"

"Hey Tristan, just some stupid hockey game, it was either this or one of those sappy soap operas my mom denies watching," he looked down at my hidden hand, "hey what's that behind your back?"

"What?" I pulled the board out from behind my back smiling at the unbriddled joy in my best friend's eyes as he took in the sight of his board," oh you mean this old thing?"

"My board!!! How'd you know?" He said laughing.

"Know what?" I asked dumbly

"I've gone into remission!"

It was those 4 little words that sent me flying at my best friend, pulling him into a bone crushing hug.

"Hey just because I'm getting better doesn't give you the right to try and kill me" he gasped struggling to be released.

A perfect end to a such a hard year.

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"Koi-Koi, babe you almost ready?" Keely asked walking into my room.

She looked amazing with her form fitting blue cocktail dress and normal mess of curly hair down and straightened.

"Why aren't you ready yet Koi?" Keely took in my shaking shoulders and my mom's dress layed untouched over my bed before running over to hug me,"oh baby girl its okay!!! Mama J would be so proud of you!"

"Why'd she leave me Kiwi! She was suppose to be here! She was s-suppose to be here for me. Instead she left me alone." I sobbed into my best friends shoulder.

"Now you listen here missy." Keely took me firmly by the shoulders," your mama never left you willingly! She loved you. And she sure as heck didn't leave you alone! You've always had your daddy, sure he might not have been around at first but he was grieving! And you've always had me and my mama!"

"You're right Kiwi. I'm sorry. You've always been there for me, I love you Kiwi." I hugged my best friend tighter and another round of silent sobs shook my shoulders.