A Whole New World

Brownies & Milkshakes

"Dean, if my son has a boyfriend, I have to at least meet him. Invite him over for dinner."

"Dad, I don't think that's a good idea. Besides, I have things to do today."

"Like what?"

"I'm visiting a friend of mine. She lives in the same building as Danielle."

"Oh. Bring him over after that."

"I'll text him."

"Bye, Dad."

"Bye."

I get in the car over to Cas's house to pick him up. When I turn the engine on, a really amazing song comes on the radio. I have never heard it before, and I don't know what it's called. It's slow; it has a man at the beginning and a woman at the end. I decide I'll look up the song later.

I pull up in his driveway, and Cas runs out the door and gets in the car.

"Hey!"

"Hey. So are we going to Danny's Diner?"

"Yeah. Let's go. I have to go visit a friend later. Do you mind waiting outside?"

"Sure thing! As long as it's not a guy our age. I'm joking. I don't mind at all."

"Haha. Oh. Uh, my dad he wanted you to come over for dinner tonight."

"Sure. I'll just text my mom I won't be home for dinner."

"My dad is... Argumentative. So, if he disagrees with you at all, he'll say."

"Okay. I'll watch my mouth."

For the rest of the car ride, we sing along to all the bad songs on the radio to mock them.

"CARRY ON MY WAYWARD SOONN."

We continue each other's words from the song.

"THERE'LL BE PEACE WHEN YOU ARE DOONNEE."

"LAY YOUR WEARY HEAD TO REESSTT."

We say in unison, "DON'T YOU CRY NO MORE."

"That song is so good yet bad at the same time."

I crack up.

"I know right?!"

We get out of the car and walk in the diner.

"We'll have one chocolate milkshake. Two straws."

We sit down and wait for our milkshake. I look at him, and he sticks his tongue out at me. We laugh, and the waitress comes by.

"I noticed you asked for two straws, so I threw in a free black and tan brownie with two spoons. And I also brought your milkshake with two cherries and double the whipped cream. Enjoy!"

"That brownie looks so good."

I grab one spoon and take a bite. It melts in my mouth, and the brownie is sitting in a puddle of fudge, and the ice cream on top makes it hot and cold. It's the best day ever.

"This brownie. I want to marry it. And you."

We both crack up laughing, and I see the chewed up brownie in his mouth. He probably sees it in mine too.

We plan our sips and bites so we are always experiencing everything together. One bite of the brownie, four chews, one swallow, sip of the milkshake. It's perfect, and so is he.

We leave the diner stuffed to the top, and more in love than ever. Danny's Diner every Friday with milkshakes and brownies. That is our place. Our own special little place that no one could ever ruin.

***

"You can come inside and meet them, you can sit in the car, you can sit in the lobby, you can sit outside their room in the hall?"

"I'll sit outside their room in the hall."

"Alright. Let's go."

We head inside and head up to Cassie's room. Cas sits down in the hall, and I knock on their door. Cassie's mom opens the door.

"Oh! Dean! Come on in, we just got back from Cassie's doctor's appointment. Cassie has something she would like to tell you."

"Dean?"

"Hi, Cassie! How are you?"

"I'm wonderful! How are you?"

"I'm wonderful too."

"Don't you have something to tell him and show him Cassie?"

"Yeah! Follow me! It's in the kitchen."

"Look at my X-Ray! What do you see?"

"I don't see anything."

"Exactly! I BEAT CANCER. I'm in remission! I can have my hair back! I can go to school!"

"That's so great! I can't believe it! You stayed strong, and you prayed. That's what helped you."

"Thanks! I like you, Dean. You're really nice,"

"Thanks! So are you. You're a sweet, cancer-less little girl. Who will soon have hair! I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks, Dean. You really made her day by coming to see her."

"You're welcome, but I should probably get going. I have a friend waiting for me."

"Bye Dean!"

Cassie comes and hugs me. I hug her back, and she doesn't let go for a while.

"You're like a brother to me."

"Thanks, Cassie. I'll visit as often as possible."

I walk out the door and Cas stands up to greet me.

"She made it, Cas. She beat cancer. At nine years old. She stayed strong, and look how it turned out."

Cas hugs me, and we walk down to the car without saying a word. We are holding hands, and that's all that matters.