That Boy

I can't breath!

Sitting at my desk, John opened my computer screen and started searching the web for a movie to watch. 

"What sounds interesting today Mrs. Young?" He always was joking like that. Like we were married or something.

Some days I couldn't help but joke back "Well, Mr. Young, I'd like to watch a comedy movie. Something a little older maybe."

"I know just the movie then. Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure." He laughed "Excellent." Except he said it like he was from the 1980's and kinda slurred the word. 

"Not this movie again.We watched it last week." It was technically one of my favorite movies though.

"I know, but last week we watched it while you were in the hospital. This week we are watching it in the comfort of your own home. So no, you haven't seen it, this week in your home, yet." He was absolutely ridiculous. "Found it!" He pulled it up on Netflix with the cheesiest smile on his face as he aired it up to my television for us to watch. He grabbed the box of pizza and quickly jumped over to my bed, joining me for the best movie ever made.

Two hours later she was asleep against my shoulder, half the pizza was ate and the movie was over. It was only the middle of the day. How could she sleep? But then I remembered, even though the cancer is gone doesn't mean she still isn't recovering. She still has to catch up on all the sleep she missed and everything. She had to catch up on school next week and her dad had her working. She was behind in life. So sleep was exactly what she needed right now. 

"Tess?" Dan, her dad, called up the stairs. She was sound asleep. When she didn't reply I heard him start up the stairs to check on her.

The television was on and some show about hospitals was playing. Life in the E.R. or something along those lines. I couldn't believe she spent her life in the hospital but still watched shows that took place in the hospital.

"Oh John. I didn't know you were here. Is she sleeping?" He glanced down at her next to me. Her body curled into mine.

"Yeah. She fell asleep after the movie." Dan was taller than me and Teresa, her mom, was my height. Compared to the two of them Tess was hit with the short end of the stick. 

He smiled to himself, "Good, she's gonna have a long week ahead of her, she needs the sleep."

"Honey I'm home!" Her mom called from downstairs.

I slowly and quietly moved off the bed, so not to wake Tess and followed Dan down the stairs.

"Oh John. Your here?" She had curly blonde hair and her apron still on from work, "Whats been up?" She smiled, bright white teeth.

"Just hanging with friends. Tess is asleep upstairs but we were watching her favorite movie with pizza for lunch." 

"Good thing for that. She needs it. Would you like to help with dinner?" She said as she made her way into the kitchen. 

"What's for dinner?" I followed hastily.

"Chicken cheese casserole. Its her favorite." Teresa started to pull out different ingredients for the casserole, "You can stay and eat it."

"I thought that was implied but yes, I'll help with dinner." I walked over to Teresa and started opening things for dinner.

I woke to the smell of chicken and laughter filling my ears from downstairs, along with a little music. My kind of music. My favorite band was ManKend. A year ago when I turned sixteen John bought tickets for us to go but my doctor didn't think I was healthy enough. Instead in the middle of the night he snuck me out and we went. It was amazing but the doctor eventually found out and I was in trouble. They sing some of the best songs known to mankind. I sat up in bed and the box of pizza was gone and the television was off. 

As I made my way down the stairs I could make out the different voices. My dad, mom and John. I walked into the kitchen and my mom and dad were dancing to a song and then John went over and cut my parents apart and started dancing with my dad. I laughed and my mom noticed me standing there. She hurried over and took my hand to dance with me instead. I giggled as we spun in big clumsy circles. 

Then a pain shot through my lungs and I couldn't breath. I pushed away from my mom and went to sit down at the table.

John was the first one to my side, his hand on my shoulder. "Are you okay?" Worry laced his voice and even though he was twenty-two his voice cracked the slightest bit.

My lungs needed air. The doctor had told me I was going to struggle at first to get back my strength. The hard thing is when you don't remember what it was like to have strength. I took deep breaths like the doctor used to tell me to do. 1..2..3..4..5..in 1..2..3..4..5..out. At first I was heaving in air through my mouth but now I could easily breath through my nose.

"I'm fine. Just tired. Its hard to breath sometimes still." I put my hands on my head and felt the skin of my bare scalp. One day this would all be over. Until then I have to suck it up like I have for the past five years.