Make a Wish - Embry Solo
‘Sweetheart… you really should go and do something fun today.’ #Mom told me. She had been hooked up to the machine for about 20 minutes now.
“I am exactly here I want to be Mom… I can’t make it to all your treatments but today I could. I know #Sue offered… But! Her talents are put too much better use baking my birthday cake.” I grinned and Mom slapped my arm.
‘Were you reading my text messages?’ She mock-glared.
“What do you expect when you constantly hand me your phone to download new music?” I chuckled, Plus, I knew there would be much more cake at Emily’s later.
‘I can’t believe you are choosing to spend your birthday in the hospital.’ #Hannah… the youngest on Mom’s treatment cycle said.
“There's nowhere I would rather be than with this woman… it is her Mom-aversary after all.” I grinned and kissed Mom’s temple. She giggled like a twenty-something.
#Hannah had her chin propped on her hand laying on the side of her recliner. ‘You know… you might just be the perfect man.’ She sighed dreamily. ‘It’s a pity you’re so grotesque.’ She laughed and I reached across the space between her seat and Moms and mushed her face.
“Like you can talk!” I teased right back.
‘You know a man who loves his Mom so openly is hard to find… Might even be worth it to put up with his clearly inferior appearance.’ #Jacob had walked in and was leaning against the door. I gave him a glare that said he would pay for that one later.
‘Damn! Embry… Who's the beefcake?’ Hannah eyed him.
“You can call him Mr. Engaged-To-Be-Married… and put your tongue back in. You’re drooling.” I hadn’t even heard or scented him coming up the hall. I wasn’t expecting anyone else here today.
‘This must be the famous Hannah?’ Jake asked… stepping inside. ‘Our ‘Bry talks about you constantly.’
#Hannah straightened up and flipped her hair. ‘He’s kind of obsessed with me.’ She boasted, teasing.
Then I heard the whispering in the hall as #Quil came in with Nurse Sophie. And a cake with lit candles. “You brought a cake to a dialysis ward?” I eyed them both.
‘It’s carrot cake… that’s a vegetable!’ #Quil smirked and crossed the room. ‘It's basically health food! And there's enough for everyone.’ Even #Sophie rolled her eyes at that.
‘Hurry up and make a wish before my supervisor comes in will you?’ She glanced over her shoulder.
I looked around the ward at all the happy faces… Everyone here was sick or supporting someone they loved through a life-saving treatment and all of them smiled; even Hannah’s stoic mom. And my brother’s showed up… breaking the one visitor per bed rule (It was never really enforced).
Mom was grinning now and then it hit me… they came so that mom wouldn’t feel bad for my being here with her on my birthday. They knew her so well, that she would feel bad for keeping me from my friends today, even though I had been the one to insist I took her to this appointment.
So, I took Mom’s hand, closed my eyes and made a wish.