Wayfaring Stranger

TWENTY THREE: California Hospital

We pulled up to my old house. My stomach started to do cartwheels. I gripped the steering wheel even tighter. 

“You will make it.” Beau said. I saw the door open. My dad. I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out of the car. 

“DAD!” I said running up to him and throwing my arms around him. It has been too long since I saw him last.

“I missed you Dillion.” He said kissing my head. I could feel the tears pouring out of my eyes.

“How is mom?” I asked wiping the tears.

“She is doing better. She can’t wait to see you.” He hugged me tighter. Beau coughed uncomfortably.

“Oh dad, I would like you to meet my older brother, Beau. Beau this is my dad.” I said introducing them.

“it’s nice to meet you sir.” Beau said sticking his hand out.

“You’re basically my son.” My dad said pulling Beau in for a hug.

“Dad do you have food in the house? I’m starving.” i said.

“Of course you are. Unfortunately with your mother in the hospital I haven’t been able to get to the store. And i’m not much of a cook.”

“So I’ll take that as I no.” I laughed.

“Yeah. How about we get some in-and-out burger before we get to the hospital?” My dad suggested.

“What is In-and-Out burger?” Beau asked.

“Beau you haven’t lived until you have eaten it. It’s like Hungry Jacks, but 100 times better.” I said following my dad inside pulling along Beau.

“This is your house?” He said looking inside.

“Yeah it’s nothing.” I said.

“It’s bigger than ours back home.”

“I think it’s a california thing.”

“Take you and Beau upstairs.”

“You still left my room?” I asked.

“Of course. Your mother insisted that you would be visiting.” He said. I smiled and pulled my suitcase upstairs with Beau behind me.

“This is where you will be staying.” I said turning the lights on in the guest bedroom. It hasn’t been used in a long time. “Sorry about the extra boxes. This isn’t used.” I said.

“it’s fine. Holy shit. It’s like my room and the kitchen put together.” HE said throwing his bag on the bed.

“It’s not that big.”

“It’s huge. I’m afraid to see your room.”

“Follow me.” I said taking him through the connected bathroom. There was a door on the other side. It led to my bedroom.

“That is sick.” He said.

“My parents always imagined I would have a sibling but it never happened. I used to use it for sleepovers, the whole two I had.” I couldn’t help but feel sad. I loved living in California. The beaches, the shopping, the celebrities. But I was a rich kid, people thought I was stuck up and spoiled. I was the spoiled, extremely smart only child. I had a few close friends. I was too independent and I spent a lot of time with my parents. 

“Your room is bigger than mine.” He said.

“Thanks it’s pretty similar to the one in Australia.” I said. My room here was just like when I left it. Light blue and yellow. 

“Except this room is huge and you have a bathroom.” Beau laughed.

“Dillion, Beau are you guys ready?” My dad called from down in the kitchen.

“You ready?” I asked looking at Beau.

“After you.” He said and I shut the lights off and went to my dad in the kitchen. Beau couldn’t help but look around aimlessly at the size of everything.

“Are you guys ready to leave?” My dad asked.

“Yes.” I said looking at Beau who confirmed it.

“Right. So let’s go.” My dad said and we followed him to the car.

“You dad is driving a Mercedes.” Beau said.

“And?” I said getting in the front seat.

“It’s... Never mind.” He said shaking his head and getting in the car behind me.

We arrived at the hospital and I was shaking. I was nervous to see my mother. Whenever I was with her she was always healthy and in good condition, until now. It was going to be really weird. 

“I’ll meet you guys up there.” My dad said as we walked into the hospital. Luckily I still remembered where I had to go.  We walked to the cancer portion of the hospital and it was strange. We had to go through the children’s cancer section before we got to my mom. 

“These kids all have cancer?” Beau asked. I nodded my head and you could see how upset he was.

“Mom look it’s Beau!” A young girl said coming up to us as we walked passed. She had to be 13.

“hello.” Beau said smiling.

“You’re part of the Janoskians. My sister loves you guys.” She smiled. 

“Well your sister is a smart girl.” Beau said and he gave the little girl a hug.

“Lizzy who are you talking to?” An older girl walked in with cookies on a plate. She had to be 15. “Oh my gosh.” She said almost dropping the cookies. “you...you’re. Bea,”

“Beau Brooks. You must be the older sister.” He said smiling and giving the girl a hug. She was frozen.

“And you’re Dillion!” She said pointing to me.

“Nice to meet you.”

“I’m a huge fan of the Janoskians.” She said.

“What’s your twitter?” Beau asked. The girls face turned bright red. 

“um.” She looked around as if she was uncomfortable.

“It’s alright, just type it in.” He said handing the girl her phone. She was shaking. “Follow yourself.” Beau smiled the girls face lit up. 

“I’ll tell the boys to follow you when i’m alone and can call them.” Beau said.

“Really?”

“Anything for our American fans!” Beau said. The girl hugged him again.

“We best be going.” I said pulling Beau along.  “It was nice meeting you.” I called to them. the two girls waved. 

“That was nice.” Beau smiled.

“I’m glad you can make fans day.” I smiled as we made it to the cervical cancer section.

I took deep breaths as we made it to the front desk.

“Kate Robinson.” I said to the lady.

“Room 349, to the right.” She said I did as I was told and followed the hospital hallway to room 349.

“Hello?” I called into the room. Then I saw her laying there. Hopeless and sound asleep. My mom.