Palm Trees and Popsicles

Palm trees and Popsicles

 

The abandoned mission stood white hot in the strong New Mexico summer sun. Jared and his friends played among the old building almost daily. Ten-year-old Jared is the only child of Sara Chilton; a single mom since the day Jared was born. Sara works in the local supermarket. She makes enough money as a cashier to keep her one bedroom apartment in a low-income housing development. Jared is tall and thin with very blonde hair and blue eyes. Jared and Sara are very close and do their best to care for each other. After work, Sara enjoyed sitting on her front steps smoking and talking with the other mothers of the complex. This was her time to relax, she felt Jared was safe and she could unwind.

‘’ Miss Chilton!’’ yelled one of Jared’s friends. ‘’It’s Jared, he can’t breathe!’’ “Oh God!” yelled Sara as she and the other moms ran to where Jared lay gasping for air.” Call an ambulance!” yelled Sara. Jared was coughing, his body was fiery hot, but he was not sweating. Tears streamed down Sara’s face as she watched her son struggle for air. There were tears in the eyes of the other mothers as they watched this terrible scene, holding their children close.

Jared went unconscious, Sara screamed.

                     The wailing sirens got closer and soon Jared was in the ambulance on his way to Riverside Hospital six miles away. Sara got a ride from a friend. On arrival, Jared was met by a team of doctors and nurses that brought him to the emergency room. Sara was met by several friends that did their best to encourage and console her. Within a few minutes, Sara was approached by a doctor:

                   “Miss Chilton?”

                        “Yes”

           “I’m Doctor Osterman’’

                 “Jared!” yelled Sara.

“He’s stable now, but there is a problem with his lungs”

“Jared has a very bad bacterial infection; we may not be able to treat him at this hospital”

“what are you saying?”

“There is a hospital in San Diego that is more specialized with this type of infection”

“How did he get this infection?” Saras voice was trembling with anxiety.

“Has Jared been playing around old buildings and missions?”

               “Yes, all the kids play there.”

“That could be the cause; the doctors at St. Mary's will be able to explain more. Sara sat down.

  “Can I see him?”

“Yes, just for a few minutes”

“I want to stay with him.”

“The nurse will set a place for you.”

“I must go and arrange a med flight for Jared in the morning.”

Sara went to Jared’s room stood by his bedside and cried. Watching her son breathe with the help of a machine was more than she could handle. A nurse startled Sara when she walked into the room with food “You should eat Sara.” Sara didn’t touch her food.

            The next morning the room was buzzing with doctors, nurses and flight medics. Jared arrived in San Diego along with Sara; and was brought straight into the emergency room for a post-flight evaluation. Sara met with Dr. Chung, an Infectious Disease Specialist; he assured Sara that Jared would be ok. During the flight Sara looked out of the window and prayed for her son; recalling how active he always was. Jared's room was large and comfortable for its purpose. Soon a nurse came into the room and told Sara that Jared needed to go for a test. She kissed her boy on the forehead and told him she loved him; Jared could not hear this. “He’ll be back in about an hour,” said the nurse, smiling.

Sara did not want to eat or sleep, but she knew that taking care of herself was important. She went to the hospital café to get some coffee. She thought of Jared and prayed. When she had enough coffee, prayed all she could and did some people watching Sara started to go back upstairs to Jared’s room; her phone rang. She looked at the callers name and answered: “Hi Mary”

         “Hey girl, how is Jared?” Mary has known Sara since Jared was born and has been a close friend.

“Jared is stable, they’re doing a test right now.”

“He’s a strong boy Sara he’s going to be ok.”

Sara started to talk and Mary interrupted. “Sara, Tommy is back in town.” Sara stopped in her tracks. “Tommy Hitchens?” “Jared’s father?”

              “Yes”

“He came into the store looking for you and asking about Jared”

  “What did you say to him?’’

“I told him you and Jared were out of town; he had a box of popsicles.” Tears filled Sara’s eyes; she felt a bolt of shock run through her body.’’ I need to get back to Jared’’

   “Ok honey, we’re all praying for you” Mary said. Sara hung up and buried her face into her hands.

      Dr.Chung looked over Jared’s test results very methodically. He ordered a medication that would help Jared’s body fight the infection, but he would still remain hospitalized for a few weeks.

Jared was brought back to his room after his test and met his mom. She sat next to him and held his hand; Jared was weak. Sara told Jared his favorite story as she gently stroked his hair; Jared fell asleep. Sara called Mary. “Hi, Mary” “Sara, is Jared ok?” “He’s sleeping the medicine makes him tired.” “Have you heard from Tommy?” “He’s at Shays Pub; do you want me to tell him about Jared?” “Yes”

   “Are you sure”

“I’m not sure of anything!”

“My baby is sick; I’m a long way from home!’’

  “o.k.…ok”

“Maybe if Jared knows he has a father it might help him; tell him Mary….tell him!’’

 

Mary went straight to Shays Pub and found Tommy sitting at the bar. She walked over and stood next to him. “I’m going to talk and your going to listen,” she said. “Jared is at St.Marys Hospital up in San Diego he has a bacterial infection and was flown up there to get help. “Slow down,” said Tommy, what happened? When did this happen? “When you came into the store the other day that’s where they were when I told you that they were out of town”.

“Is he ok?” “He is getting better; you need to get up there”. Tommy picked up his bag and asked the bartender to call a cab for him. “Please call Sara and tell her I’m on my way to the airport.”

                           The plane landed in San Diego and Tommy rushed through the airport and asked a policeman where St.Marys

Hospital was. Tommy’s voice was cracking with anxiety. The bus stopped in front of the hospital he went straight to the information desk.

 

    Jared was awake now and looking out the window while Sara napped. He was feeling better and asked a nurse if he could go for a walk around the floor. The nurse gently woke Sara and asked if she had permission to walk with Jared. Sara agreed and they walked the floor. As they walked past the nurse station Jared received waves and smiles and it made him blush. They stopped to look out of a large bay window with a view of the beach. “The palm trees are so green it looks like they’re waving to me,” said Jared. “Well, look who’s up,” said a voice from behind. It was Dr. Chung. Jared smiled shyly. “How’s your appetite?’’ asked the doctor. “ I’m hungry’’ “That’s great let's start you off with some popsicles. “What flavor would you like?” “Cherry please!”

Sara smiled at her son's excitement. “He will be fine Sara.”

“Thank you so much Dr. Chung.”

When they arrived back to the room there were two cherry popsicles waiting for Jared.

 

 

 

The elevator doors opened on the Fifth floor Tommy walked slowly in the direction of Jared’s room. Sara turned the corner their eyes met. A wave of emotion made Sara feel weak; then she was angry. Tommy’s mouth was dry; he was sweating. He raised his hands as if trying to defend against the verbal beating he was about to receive. Sara buried her face into her hands and slid down the wall crying. Slowly, Tommy approached her.

  “I’m sorry” he whispered.

“Ten years, ten f*****g years Tommy

“Where’s Jared?” “I want to see him.” Sara stood up.

“Now you care?”

“Listen, I came back to try and make things right.” “You can be mad at me all you want, but now it’s about Jared and not us.’’

“Jared is in his room watching TV.”

“I just want to see him…please”

“Ok…do not say a word to him…not yet, understand me?’’

 “I get it”

Tommy acted as though he was looking for someone and caught a glimpse of Jared. That’s my son he thought to himself. He walked back to Sara wiping away the tears trying to compose himself. “He is a handsome boy” “You have done well raising him Sara.”

“What do I say to him, Tommy?”

“I don’t know” “I’ll be back tomorrow’ he said.

  “Running again?” said Sara.

Jared walked out of his room looking for his mom and saw Tommy standing with her. “Who is this mom?” Tommy fought the urge to say “I’m your dad.’’ “This is a friend of mine Jared,’’ Sara said.

“How are you feeling?” asked Tommy.

“Better, thank you sir” Tommy smiled acknowledging Jared’s manners. Tommy told Sara that he would be in touch and said goodbye. Sara brought Jared back to his room, he was getting tired. The next morning Tommy returned to the hospital to speak with Dr. Chung about Jared and was pleased to find how much he had improved. Jared awoke happily and energized after breakfast, he asked to go outside. Because he had improved so quickly Dr. Chung agreed to Jared’s request. Jared, Sara and the nurse went downstairs; stopped for a popsicle and continued outside. Jared sat against a lone palm tree; eating his popsicle and looking up at the sky.

“Can I help take care of the palm trees?” asked Jared.

Sara laughed, “Don’t you want to go home?”

“Well... yes” said Jared smiling.

After half an hour of being outside, Jared was brought upstairs to rest. When he and Sara walked into the room; Sara noticed a card on the nightstand. When Sara opened the card there was a hundred dollar bill inside. The card read.. I’m glad that you are feeling better and I hope you spend this money on something fun

Your friend Tommy

“What’s that mom?’’

“A card for you sweetie” Jared read the card and his eyes grew wide when he saw the money.

“Who’s Tommy?” asked Jared.

Nobody baby, nobody.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

  

 

 

 

 

 Palm trees and Popsicles

 

The abandoned mission stood white hot in the strong New Mexico summer sun. Jared and his friends played among the old building almost daily. Ten-year-old Jared is the only child of Sara Chilton; a single mom since the day Jared was born. Sara works in the local supermarket. She makes enough money as a cashier to keep her one bedroom apartment in a low-income housing development. Jared is tall and thin with very blonde hair and blue eyes. Jared and Sara are very close and do their best to care for each other. After work, Sara enjoyed sitting on her front steps smoking and talking with the other mothers of the complex. This was her time to relax, she felt Jared was safe and she could unwind.

‘’ Miss Chilton!’’ yelled one of Jared’s friends. ‘’It’s Jared, he can’t breathe!’’ “Oh God!” yelled Sara as she and the other moms ran to where Jared lay gasping for air.” Call an ambulance!” yelled Sara. Jared was coughing, his body was fiery hot, but he was not sweating. Tears streamed down Sara’s face as she watched her son struggle for air. There were tears in the eyes of the other mothers as they watched this terrible scene, holding their children close.

Jared went unconscious, Sara screamed.

                     The wailing sirens got closer and soon Jared was in the ambulance on his way to Riverside Hospital six miles away. Sara got a ride from a friend. On arrival, Jared was met by a team of doctors and nurses that brought him to the emergency room. Sara was met by several friends that did their best to encourage and console her. Within a few minutes, Sara was approached by a doctor:

                   “Miss Chilton?”

                        “Yes”

           “I’m Doctor Osterman’’

                 “Jared!” yelled Sara.

“He’s stable now, but there is a problem with his lungs”

“Jared has a very bad bacterial infection; we may not be able to treat him at this hospital”

“what are you saying?”

“There is a hospital in San Diego that is more specialized with this type of infection”

“How did he get this infection?” Saras voice was trembling with anxiety.

“Has Jared been playing around old buildings and missions?”

               “Yes, all the kids play there.”

“That could be the cause; the doctors at St. Mary's will be able to explain more. Sara sat down.

  “Can I see him?”

“Yes, just for a few minutes”

“I want to stay with him.”

“The nurse will set a place for you.”

“I must go and arrange a med flight for Jared in the morning.”

Sara went to Jared’s room stood by his bedside and cried. Watching her son breathe with the help of a machine was more than she could handle. A nurse startled Sara when she walked into the room with food “You should eat Sara.” Sara didn’t touch her food.

            The next morning the room was buzzing with doctors, nurses and flight medics. Jared arrived in San Diego along with Sara; and was brought straight into the emergency room for a post-flight evaluation. Sara met with Dr. Chung, an Infectious Disease Specialist; he assured Sara that Jared would be ok. During the flight Sara looked out of the window and prayed for her son; recalling how active he always was. Jared's room was large and comfortable for its purpose. Soon a nurse came into the room, and told Sara that Jared needed to go for a test. She kissed her boy on the forehead and told him she loved him; Jared could not hear this. “He’ll be back in about an hour,” said the nurse, smiling.

Sara did not want to eat or sleep, but she knew that taking care of herself was important. She went to the hospital café to get some coffee. She thought of Jared and prayed. When she had enough coffee, prayed all she could and did some people watching Sara started to go back upstairs to Jared’s room; her phone rang. She looked at the callers name and answered: “Hi Mary”

         “Hey girl, how is Jared?” Mary has known Sara since Jared was born and has been a close friend.

“Jared is stable, they’re doing a test right now.”

“He’s a strong boy Sara he’s going to be ok.”

Sara started to talk and Mary interrupted. “Sara, Tommy is back in town.” Sara stopped in her tracks. “Tommy Hitchens?” “Jared’s father?”

              “Yes”

“He came into the store looking for you and asking about Jared”

  “What did you say to him?’’

“I told him you and Jared were out of town; he had a box of popsicles.” Tears filled Sara’s eyes; she felt a bolt of shock run through her body.’’ I need to get back to Jared’’

   “Ok honey, we’re all praying for you” Mary said. Sara hung up and buried her face into her hands.

      Dr.Chung looked over Jared’s test results very methodically. He ordered a medication that would help Jared’s body fight the infection, but he would still remain hospitalized for a few weeks.

Jared was brought back to his room after his test and met by his mom. She sat next to him and held his hand; Jared was weak. Sara told Jared his favorite story as she gently stroked his hair; Jared fell asleep. Sara called Mary. “Hi, Mary” “Sara, is Jared ok?” “He’s sleeping the medicine makes him tired.” “Have you heard from Tommy?” “He’s at Shays Pub; do you want me to tell him about Jared?” “Yes”

   “Are you sure”

“I’m not sure of anything!”

“My baby is sick; I’m a long way from home!’’

  “o.k.…ok”

“Maybe if Jared knows he has a father it might help him; tell him Mary….tell him!’’

 

Mary went straight to Shays Pub and found Tommy sitting at the bar. She walked over and stood next to him. “I’m going to talk and your going to listen,” she said. “Jared is at St.Marys Hospital up in San Diego he has a bacterial infection and was flown up there to get help. “Slow down,” said Tommy, what happened? When did this happen? “When you came into the store the other day that’s where they were when I told you that they were out of town”.

“Is he ok?” “He is getting better; you need to get up there”. Tommy picked up his bag and asked the bartender to call a cab for him. “Please call Sara and tell her I’m on my way to the airport.”

                           The plane landed in San Diego and Tommy rushed through the airport and asked a policeman where St.Marys

Hospital was. Tommy’s voice was cracking with anxiety. The bus stopped in front of the hospital he went straight to the information desk.

 

    Jared was awake now and looking out the window while Sara napped. He was feeling better and asked a nurse if he could go for a walk around the floor. The nurse gently woke Sara and asked if she had permission to walk with Jared. Sara agreed and they walked the floor. As they walked past the nurse station Jared received waves and smiles and it made him blush. They stopped to look out of a large bay window with a view of the beach. “The palm trees are so green it looks like they’re waving to me,” said Jared. “Well, look who’s up,” said a voice from behind. It was Dr. Chung. Jared smiled shyly. “How’s your appetite?’’ asked the doctor. “ I’m hungry’’ “That’s great let's start you off with some popsicles. “What flavor would you like?” “Cherry please!”

Sara smiled at her sons excitement. “He will be fine Sara.”

“Thank you so much Dr. Chung.”

When they arrived back to the room there were two cherry popsicles waiting for Jared.

 

 

 

The elevator doors opened on the Fifth floor Tommy walked slowly in the direction of Jared’s room. Sara turned the corner their eyes met. A wave of emotion made Sara feel weak; then she was angry. Tommy’s mouth was dry; he was sweating. He raised his hands as if trying to defend against the verbal beating he was about to receive. Sara buried her face into her hands and slid down the wall crying. Slowly, Tommy approached her.

  “I’m sorry” he whispered.

“Ten years, ten f*****g years Tommy

“Where’s Jared?” “I want to see him.” Sara stood up.

“Now you care?”

“Listen, I came back to try and make things right.” “You can be mad at me all you want, but now it’s about Jared and not us.’’

“Jared is in his room watching TV.”

“I just want to see him…please”

“Ok…do not say a word to him…not yet, understand me?’’

 “I get it”

Tommy acted as though he was looking for someone and caught a glimpse of Jared. That’s my son he thought to himself. He walked back to Sara wiping away the tears trying to compose himself. “He is a handsome boy” “You have done well raising him Sara.”

“What do I say to him, Tommy?”

“I don’t know” “I’ll be back tomorrow’ he said.

  “Running again?” said Sara.

Jared walked out of his room looking for his mom and saw Tommy standing with her. “Who is this mom?” Tommy fought the urge to say “I’m your dad.’’ “This is a friend of mine Jared,’’ Sara said.

“How are you feeling?” asked Tommy.

“Better, thank you sir” Tommy smiled acknowledging Jared’s manners. Tommy told Sara that he would be in touch and said goodbye. Sara brought Jared back to his room, he was getting tired. The next morning Tommy returned to the hospital to speak with Dr. Chung about Jared and was pleased to find how much he had improved. Jared awoke happily and energized after breakfast, he asked to go outside. Because he had improved so quickly Dr. Chung agreed to Jared’s request. Jared, Sara and the nurse went downstairs; stopped for a popsicle and continued outside. Jared sat against a lone palm tree; eating his popsicle and looking up at the sky.

“Can I help take care of the palm trees?” asked Jared.

Sara laughed, “Don’t you want to go home?”

“Well... yes” said Jared smiling.

After half an hour of being outside, Jared was brought upstairs to rest. When he and Sara walked into the room; Sara noticed a card on the nightstand. When Sara opened the card there was a hundred dollar bill inside. The card read.. I’m glad that you are feeling better and I hope you spend this money on something fun

Your friend Tommy

“What’s that mom?’’

“A card for you sweetie” Jared read the card and his eyes grew wide when he saw the money.

“Who’s Tommy?” asked Jared.

Nobody baby, nobody.

 

 

 Palm trees and Popsicles

 

The abandoned mission stood white hot in the strong New Mexico summer sun. Jared and his friends played among the old building almost daily. Ten year old Jared is the only child of Sara Chilton; a single mom since the day Jared was born. Sara works in the local supermarket. She makes enough money as a cashier to keep her one bedroom apartment in a low income housing development. Jared is tall and thin with very blonde hair and blue eyes. Jared and Sara are very close and do their best to care for each other. After work Sara enjoyed sitting on her front steps smoking and talking with the other mothers of the complex. This was her time to relax, she felt Jared was safe and she could unwind.

‘’ Miss Chilton!’’ yelled one of Jared’s friends. ‘’It’s Jared, he can’t breathe!’’ “Oh God!” yelled Sara as she and the other moms ran to where Jared lay gasping for air.” Call an ambulance!” yelled Sara. Jared was coughing, his body was fiery hot, but he was not sweating. Tears streamed down Sara’s face as she watched her son struggle for air. There were tears in the eyes of the other mothers as they watched this terrible scene, holding their children close.

Jared went unconscious, Sara screamed.

                     The wailing sirens got closer and soon Jared was in the ambulance on his way to Riverside Hospital six miles away. Sara got a ride from a friend. On arrival Jared was met by a team of doctors and nurses that brought him to the emergency room. Sara was met by several friends that did their best to encourage and console her. Within a few minutes Sara was approached by a doctor:

                   “Miss Chilton?”

                        “Yes”

           “I’m Doctor Osterman’’

                 “Jared!” yelled Sara.

“He’s stable now, but there is a problem with his lungs”

“Jared has a very bad bacterial infection; we may not be able to treat him at this hospital”

“what are you saying?”

“There is a hospital in San Diego that is more specialized with this type of infection”

“How did he get this infection?” Saras voice was trembling with anxiety.

“Has Jared been playing around old buildings and missions?”

               “Yes, all the kids play there.”

“That could be the cause; the doctors at St. Mary's will be able to explain more. Sara sat down.

  “Can I see him?”

“Yes, just for a few minutes”

“I want to stay with him.”

“The nurse will set a place for you.”

“I must go and arrange a med flight for Jared in the morning.”

Sara went to Jared’s room stood by his bedside and cried. Watching her son breathe with the help of a machine was more than she could handle. A nurse startled Sara when she walked into the room with food “You should eat Sara.” Sara didn’t touch her food.

            The next morning the room was buzzing with doctors, nurses and flight medics. Jared arrived in San Diego along with Sara; and was brought straight into the emergency room for a post flight evaluation. Sara met with Dr. Chung, an Infectious Disease Specialist; he assured Sara that Jared would be ok. During the flight Sara looked out of the window and prayed for her son; recalling how active he always was. Jareds room was large and comfortable for its purpose. Soon a nurse came into the room; and told Sara that Jared needed to go for test. She kissed her boy on the forehead and told him she loved him; Jared could not hear this. “He’ll be back in about an hour” said the nurse, smiling.

Sara did not want to eat or sleep but she knew that taking care of herself was important. She went to the hospital café to get some coffee. She thought of Jared and prayed. When she had enough coffee, prayed all she could and did some people watching Sara started to go back upstairs to Jared’s room; her phone rang. She looked at the callers name and answered: “Hi Mary”

         “Hey girl, how is Jared?” Mary has known Sara since Jared was born and has been a close friend.

“Jared is stable, they’re doing test right now.”

“He’s a strong boy Sara he’s going to be ok.”

Sara started to talk and Mary interrupted. “Sara, Tommy is back in town.” Sara stopped in her tracks. “Tommy Hitchens?” “Jared’s father?”

              “Yes”

“He came into the store looking for you and asking about Jared”

  “What did you say to him?’’

“I told him you and Jared were out of town; he had a box of popsicles.” Tears filled Sara’s eyes; she felt a bolt of shock run through her body.’’ I need to get back to Jared’’

   “Ok honey, we’re all praying for you” Mary said. Sara hung up and buried her face into her hands.

      Dr.Chung looked over Jared’s test results very methodically. He ordered a medication that would help Jared’s body fight the infection; but he would still remain hospitalized for a few weeks.

Jared was brought back to his room after his test and met by his mom. She sat next to him and held his hand; Jared was weak. Sara told Jared his favorite story as she gently stroked his hair; Jared fell asleep. Sara called Mary. “Hi Mary” “Sara, is Jared ok?” “He’s sleeping the medicine makes him tired.” “Have you heard from Tommy?” “He’s at Shays Pub; do you want me to tell him about Jared?” “Yes”

   “Are you sure”

“I’m not sure of anything!”

“My baby is sick; I’m a long way from home!’’

  “o.k.…ok”

“Maybe if Jared knows he has a father it might help him; tell him Mary….tell him!’’

 

Mary went straight to Shays Pub and found Tommy sitting at the bar. She walked over and stood next to him. “I’m going to talk and your going to listen” she said. “Jared is at St.Marys Hospital up in San Diego he has a bacterial infection and was flown up there to get help. “Slow down” said Tommy, what happened? When did this happen? “When you came into the store the other day that’s where they were when I told you that they were out of town”.

“Is he ok?” “He is getting better; you need to get up there”. Tommy picked up his bag and asked the bartender to call a cab for him. “Please call Sara and tell her I’m on my way to the airport.”

                           The plane landed in San Diego and Tommy rushed through the airport and asked a policeman where St.Marys

Hospital was. Tommy’s voice was cracking with anxiety. The bus stopped in front of the hospital he went straight to the information desk.

 

    Jared was awake now and looking out the window while Sara napped. He was feeling better and asked a nurse if he could go for a walk around the floor. The nurse gently woke Sara and asked if she had permission to walk with Jared. Sara agreed and they walked the floor. As they walked past the nurse station Jared received waves and smiles and it made him blush. They stopped to look out of a large bay window with a view of the beach. “The palm trees are so green it looks like they’re waving to me” said Jared. “Well, look who’s up” said a voice from behind. It was Dr. Chung. Jared smiled shyly. “How’s your appetite?’’ asked the doctor. “ I’m hungry’’ “That’s great lets start you of with some popsicles. “What flavor would you like?” “Cherry please!”

Sara smiled at her sons excitement. “He will be fine Sara.”

“Thank you so much Dr. Chung.”

When they arrived back to the room there were two cherry popsicles waiting for Jared.

 

 

 

The elevator doors opened on the Fifth floor Tommy walked slowly in the direction of Jared’s room. Sara turned the corner their eyes met. A wave of emotion made Sara feel weak; then she was angry. Tommy’s mouth was dry; he was sweating. He raised his hands as if trying to defend against the verbal beating he was about to receive. Sara buried her face into her hands and slid down the wall crying. Slowly, Tommy approached her.

  “I’m sorry” he whispered.

“Ten years, ten f*****g years Tommy

“Where’s Jared?” “I want to see him.” Sara stood up.

“Now you care?”

“Listen, I came back to try and make things right.” “You can be mad at me all you want but now it’s about Jared and not us.’’

“Jared is in his room watching TV.”

“I just want to see him…please”

“Ok…don’t say a word to him…not yet, understand me?’’

 “I get it”

Tommy acted as though he was looking for someone and caught a glimpse of Jared. That’s my son he thought to himself. He walked back to Sara wiping away the tears trying to compose himself. “He is a handsome boy” “You have done well raising him Sara.”

“What do I say to him Tommy?”

“I don’t know” “I’ll be back tomorrow’ he said.

  “Running again?” said Sara.

Jared walked out of his room looking for his mom and saw Tommy standing with her. “Who is this mom?” Tommy fought the urge to say “I’m your dad.’’ “This is a friend of mine Jared.’’ Sara said.

“How are you feeling?” asked Tommy.

“Better, thank you sir” Tommy smiled acknowledging Jared’s manners. Tommy told Sara that he would be in touch and said good bye. Sara brought Jared back to his room, he was getting tired. The next morning Tommy returned to the hospital to speak with Dr. Chung about Jared and was pleased to find how much he had improved. Jared awoke happy and energized after breakfast, he asked to go outside. Because he had improved so quickly Dr. Chung agreed to Jared’s request. Jared, Sara and the nurse went downstairs; stopped for a popsicle and continued out side. Jared sat against a lone palm tree; eating his popsicle and looking up at the sky.

“Can I help take care of the palm trees?” asked Jared.

Sara laughed, “Don’t you want to go home?”

“Well... yes” said Jared smiling.

After half an hour of being outside, Jared was brought upstairs to rest. When he and Sara walked into the room; Sara noticed a card on the nightstand. When Sara opened the card there was a hundred dollar bill inside. The card read.. I’m glad that you are feeling better and I hope you spend this money on something fun

Your friend Tommy

“What’s that mom?’’

“A card for you sweetie” Jared read the card and his eyes grew wide when he saw the money.

“Who’s Tommy?” asked Jared.

Nobody baby,nobody.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

  

 

 

 

 

 

Author's Note

I'm still working on grammar.