Chapter Two

Emery found herself more refreshed the next morning after getting almost fifteen hours of sleep. It was nine in the morning when she made her way down to the kitchen. Her mom was just finishing up putting all the plates away after the dishwashing cycle.

“Hey, honey,” Mrs. Warden greeted her daughter as she sat down at the table. “How are you feeling this morning?” She’d been worried all night that Emery was overexerting herself once again with all the volunteering she was doing.

“I’m good.” Emery drank the orange juice her mom had brought over to her. “I have to be at the hospital at noon, then leave there to do my afternoon walks with the dogs at the animal shelter at four.” She was telling her so she wouldn’t worry when she wasn’t home at the usual time.

Mrs. Warden brushed back Emery’s hair from her forehead, out of her eyes. She didn’t feel any type of fever brewing that Emery might try to keep hidden. “I don’t want you overdoing it, Em.”

“I’m good.” Emery got up from her seat to get a bowl of cereal. She didn’t have much of an appetite but knew not eating would make her twice as tired and also her mom would complain about her lack of food consumption.

“So, I talked to Missy yesterday evening.” Mrs. Warden sat down at the table with her daughter after Emery had gotten her breakfast. Her daughter gave her a puzzling look like she had no clue who Missy was. “Austin Murray’s mom.” She clarified who she was referencing.

“And?” Emery was just a tad bit curious as to why he was now starting to volunteer.

“It seems Austin got himself into a little bit of trouble right after school ended.” Emery’s mom had that smirk on her face that one would have when they were thankful it wasn’t their child who had gotten in trouble. “Austin got caught underage drinking at some ‘summer’s finally here’ party. Instead of anything too serious, since he does have his football scholarship to focus on,” Mrs. Warden rolled her eyes thinking about how he got off so easily, “the judge dismissed the case so it wouldn’t be on his record. All he has to do is six months of volunteer work.”

“Why didn’t he pick something like volunteering for youth football or something?” Emery really didn’t care that Austin had chosen the hospital to do his service. The little boys probably loved having a guy around who was good at video games.

Emery’s mom chuckled at that question. “Missy told him that he had to choose somewhere that wasn’t sports-related or any place that his friends would be. So he chose the hospital and they put him where he would be needed the most.”

“Oh.” Emery wasn’t surprised that Austin hadn’t gone there on his own accord. He was way too above volunteering or doing anything for someone else that wouldn’t benefit him somehow. It was good to know that he would only be there for six months. “I better get showered and ready so I can make it on time.” Her mother nodded her head that she understood her daughter had places to go and things to do. She carried her bowl over to the sink so she could wash it, then retreated back to her room to get started on the day.

***

Austin was back to playing video games when Emery arrived at the activity room. She couldn’t help glancing at him every two minutes. It was like her eyes just automatically ventured his way. He looked more excited than Brian playing the game. She got startled when she heard a big yell and raced over to that section of the room.

“Brian, are you okay?” She visually checked him out head to toe and didn’t see anything that could possibly be wrong.

“Yeah, sorry for the yell.” Brian apologized after he saw how shaken up Emery was. “But I beat Austin here in a game he’s supposed to dominate.” He held up the game casing for Madden Football. Brian started chuckling when Austin stuck out his tongue at him.

“Okay, just try to keep it down.” Emery finally got her panic mode under control. She was almost back to the activity table when she heard her name being called. She stopped and turned around.

“I didn’t know our moms knew each other.” Austin finally had the chance to talk to Emery without anyone else being around.

“Me neither.” Emery hoped her mother didn’t go and blab every deep, dark family secret to his mother. “Small world.” She sat down at the activity table and wished Molly would get there so she didn’t have only Austin to interact with until more kids came.

“She said they’ve known each other for years. You know, through their scrapbooking.” Austin sat down on one of the small child chairs and hoped it didn’t break under his size.

“Yep.” Emery didn’t know how else to answer him. It wasn’t like she wanted to go on and talk about their mothers.

“Do you go to Clear Brooks High?” Austin had a feeling that she did but really wasn’t that certain.

“Yep.” Another one-word answer for his simple question.

“Junior or senior?” He knew she looked older than someone in the lower grades but wasn’t sure if she was a senior like he was.

“Senior.” Emery looked back when she heard the main door open. It was Anne bringing a few more kids down for playtime. She felt Austin still staring intently at her.

“I thought I’d seen you before, but there are so many kids in our school it’s hard to remember everyone.”

‘Of course, you’ve seen me before. Your little girlfriends are always saying stuff about me.’

“I try to stay out of the limelight.”

‘Unlike you who thrives in that environment.’

“Yeah, I wish I could do that but football sort of throws you into that whole circus.” Austin didn’t mind playing football, he’d been doing it since he was five years old. But the whole drama shit that went along with it, especially for high school, he could’ve done without it. That was part of the reason he was doing his volunteer work, not that he minded coming here, but the event why he had to could’ve been avoided if he hadn’t gotten sucked up into all the football party drama.

“You don’t like to play?” Emery was stunned to find out that the Mr. Quarterback didn’t like to be in the spotlight all the time.

Austin shook his head. “I love playing ball, it’s all the other stuff that goes along with it that sucks sometimes.”

Emery rolled her eyes at his comment. “Hmm, all the parties, girlfriends, everyone wanting to be around you…yep, really gotta suck for you.” She stood up to leave when a few of the kids came over to use the art supplies.

Austin stood when Emery did and followed behind her. “It’s not as exciting as you think.”

“I gotta go help, Anne.” Emery motioned to the older lady who was carrying supplies in. She didn’t want to sit around and hear the ‘feel sorry for Austin’ story. He had no clue what anyone in this room had been through or was going through now. He seemed like the self-centered jerk that she’d always thought he’d be like.

Emery saw that Austin had finally made his way back over and was playing another game with Brian on the Xbox. At least there was one person who could stand his company.

The next two hours went by fast as more kids came down for afternoon playtime. By the time three o’clock hit, Emery was already tired from running her butt around playing pick up after everyone. She had an hour of dog walking to do, then she could finally go home and get some needed rest. Her name being called across the parking lot halted her from making it to the car and finally being able to sit down. She knew it was Austin and really wanted to continue on like she hadn’t heard him, but she wasn’t that rude.

“Heading home?” Austin finally caught up to Emery after she’d left the hospital. It was like she knew all these secret hallways and doors to get out of there easily, while he still had to follow the same way in and out so he didn’t get lost.

“Nope, I have somewhere else I need to be.” Emery got out her car keys and pressed the button for the doors to unlock. She was thankful her car was only two more cars away because she was starting to feel lightheaded.

“Big party going on tonight?” Austin dug in his shorts back pocket for his truck keys, which were parked next to Emery’s family-style car. It fit her, though, wasn’t flashy or fancy just looked comfortable and safe.

“No, I, uh…” Emery started to feel dizzy and felt like she was going to pass out. She gripped ahold of Austin’s arm for support since it was the closest thing to her without setting off a car alarm.

“Okay…I got you.” Austin put his arm around Emery’s shoulders and led her over to lean up against his truck. She had her eyes squeezed closed and her coloring was more pale than usual. “Just take deep breaths. I have a Gatorade in the truck, you look like you could probably use it.” Austin kept one hand on Emery as he opened up the truck door and grabbed the juice that was on the seat. He always kept those handy for football when he felt exhausted. “Here.” Austin tore the cap off and held it up to Emery’s mouth for her to drink. She did so willingly, allowing him to gently hold her chin while he carefully poured the juice.

Emery drank the Gatorade that Austin so graciously gave to her. She used to drink them all the time whenever she felt rundown, but lately, she’d been careless and not carrying those or bananas around with her. “Thank you.” Emery pushed the bottle away from her lips to indicate that she was done. She’d drank more than half the bottle and didn’t feel as woozy.

“Just take a few more deep breaths.” Austin knew all this medical stuff to help someone keep conscious when they felt overexerted. It was something that he had to learn to be captain. “Do you want me to call your mom?” He really didn’t think she should be driving around in this condition.

“No.” Emery blurted that out loud and clear. That sort of question made her perk up a little bit. She didn’t want her mom to know she was feeling tired and dizzy again. That would mean more restrictions on where she could go and more worries about her health.

“Okay…okay.” Austin held both his hands up in surrender. He didn’t think calling her mom was such a big deal if she was sick, but obviously, it was. “I just don’t think you’re going to be able to drive, you still look a little sick.”

“I’ll be fine.” Emery pushed herself away from the truck and Austin’s reach. There were only about ten steps to make it to her car from his truck. She knew she’d be able to do that.

Austin watched as Emery scooted her feet along the asphalt on the parking lot. She seemed to have some of her balance back, but not enough that he would consider steady. He followed two steps behind just in case she would lose her balance. “Where are you going?”

Emery sat down in her seat and started the car. “I have to walk dogs at the animal shelter.” She waited to hear a rude comment about another volunteer thing, but that never came.

Austin knocked twice on the roof of the car. “I’ll follow you over.” He hurried to his truck and revved it up before she had the chance to leave without him. She wouldn’t give up her driving or walking the dogs, even though she was ill, the least he could do was to follow her over to make sure she made it safely.

“Thanks. You can go now.” Emery smiled and waved at Austin after she’d gotten out of her car at the animal shelter. There was no need for him to get out and see her in. She was feeling better after drinking half the juice he’d given to her.

Austin was going to get out, but it seemed Emery was in a big hurry. This girl was so different from other girls he’d met and hung out with. If any of them even broke a nail, they’d be at home crying and wanting to be pampered for having to go through such a tragedy. Emery was obviously coming down with some type of cold or something and looking worn out, but yet she kept trudging along with what needed to be done. Austin had to remember to get into the hospital before she did tomorrow. He wanted to let the supervisor know that Emery may be getting sick and shouldn’t be around the kids, just so they didn’t get any sicker. He beeped his horn once and gave a short wave before heading over to the practice field.

*  *  *

“It’ll be fine.” Anne, the supervisor that Austin just reported Emery being sick to, patted his hand. It was sweet that he was not only worried about Emery, but also the kids who were already here. “I’m sure if Emery was feeling sick with a cold she wouldn’t expose herself to these kids.” Anne finished placing the new books that were donated out on the reading table so the children would see them when they came in.

Austin knew better than to argue with someone who obviously knew more than he did in these circumstances. The noise from the hallway diverted his attention to whoever just opened the door. Emery strolled in looking better than she did the previous day. She still appeared exhausted, but that could be because she never slowed down in her activities. She gave him a weak smile, but nothing that would signify they were friends or anything and walked over to where Anne was now organizing some sort of small puppet stage.

“Hello, Emery, seems you have a worrier.” Anne shifted her eyes over to where Austin was fiddling around with the game controllers.

“Why?” Emery hoped he didn’t go into a great exaggeration of what happened yesterday.

Anne chuckled at Emery’s level of hostility about this boy worrying about her. Emery was never one for anyone to dote over or pay special attention to her when she was sick. “He was just worried that you may be getting ill and he was concerned about the kids who were already sick getting whatever you may have.”

“Oh.” Emery snuck a look at Austin, who seemed to be waiting for someone to come play with him. He was tossing the game controller back and forth between his hands and glancing at the door every ten seconds. “I was just worn out, that’s all.”

“Emery, you know you have to take better care of yourself. When your body says it’s tired, it’s time for Emery to go home and rest.” Anne patted Emery’s hand. She knew this girl would never rest even if she felt exhaustion coming on. Emery seemed to be on a mission and no one or nothing was going to get in her way.

“Yeah, I know.” Emery looked back at the main doors and saw some kids were coming in for playtime. It seemed to be the younger group that only liked to play with the cars, trucks, and dolls. “How’s Molly today?” she questioned Anne, who always seemed to know how all the kids in the department were doing.

“She’s been having her ups and downs this past week. I don’t think she’s going to be well enough to come down today.” Anne knew that Emery had taken a special liking to Molly. Even though they were almost ten years apart, those two girls had a lot in common. “Why don’t you go down and visit with her a little while in her room? I’m sure Austin and I will be able to keep these youngsters under control.” Anne handed Emery some art supplies that Molly usually liked to use to make drawings.

“Um.” Emery looked around the room and saw that most of the kids were settled playing. Austin finally found a partner who was willing to play the game with him. “Okay. I’ll be back in a few.” Emery grabbed the supplies and headed off to see Molly.

***

“Hey.” Austin saw Emery up ahead in the hallway. He hadn’t seen much of her today. She’d left the activity room and didn’t return until volunteer time was almost over.

Emery heard Austin call out and knew he was probably calling her since he hadn’t really talked to anyone else yet. She stopped and waited for him to catch up. “Hey.” She returned the greeting and continued out to the parking area.

“Where’d you disappear to all day?” Austin fiddled around with his truck keys. He noticed they both were parked in the same spots as yesterday. He had an hour before football practice and knew the team and their groupies would be at the local ice cream hangout.

“I went to spend time with Molly, she wasn’t feeling well today.” Emery saw that Austin looked as if he wasn’t sure who she was talking about. Not that she expected him to know everyone so soon, he’d only been there for a few days so it wasn’t expected that he’d know all the kids' names. “The little girl with red hair and freckles.” A look of recognition washed over his face.

“How is she?”

Emery shrugged. She knew how Molly was but didn’t want to accept it. “She’s declining.” Emery didn’t want to go into great detail on how this little girl was. She knew from past experiences that Molly didn’t have too much time left, which was going to be one of the hardest things to accept.

Austin nodded. Emery seemed more sad than usual as they spoke about this Molly girl. “So, what are you going to do now?” He changed the subject, hoping to get her mind off her sick friend.

“Um.” Emery knew she had about an hour before they were expecting her at the animal shelter. “I don’t know.” She really didn’t want to go back home just yet. Her mom was in one of her moods where she kept asking if she felt all right, if she was tired, was she eating properly…everything that drove Emery nuts.

“Wanna grab an ice cream?” Austin knew everyone was probably already at the ice cream center. He could take Emery and introduce her around, maybe she could make some friends who were her age and weren’t so sick.

Emery knew exactly where Austin was asking her to go, the place that all the popular kids hung out. Not only did it have ice cream, but a whole lunch and dinner menu, along with a whole big game room that had pool tables and laser tag. At whatever cost, Emery avoided that place. She and two other friends had stopped by one day last year and it was one of the worst days ever for them. Austin, well really his circle of friends, had made fun of them the whole ten minutes they were there. So now, Emery only went to the small ice cream stand that was run by two elderly people in town. It had small little tables with umbrellas that she liked to sit under and watch the ducks by the lake.

“Henrietta’s.” Emery gave him her demand for going. If he wanted to go where his friends were, that was perfectly understandable. She would just go home and venture off to her next volunteer sign-up after a little rest.

Austin knew the team would be waiting for him, they always were. The jersey-chasers would be there hanging on him and every word he said. The whole scene was getting old…fast.

“Sure,” he agreed to where Emery wanted to go. She looked stunned by his answer, which made him smile in response. It was obvious that she thought she knew who he was by all the talk around the school. He was going to make her see differently before summer was over. “I’ll meet you there.” Austin got into his truck and waited for Emery to lead the way.

***

“Any dark, hidden secrets that no one knows about you?” Austin threw the question out there to see if Emery would respond. They had gotten their ice creams and were watching the ducks play around on the small lake. Well, she was watching the ducks and he was watching her.

“Nope, not really. I’m pretty boring.” Emery didn’t want to divulge anything of significance to him. Something that could all be turned around on her once he went back and told all his friends.

“Nothing, really? That’s hard to believe.” Austin knew everyone had secrets, but getting Emery to tell him any was highly unlikely.

“Why’s that hard to believe? Do you have any hidden secrets, Austin?” Emery took a lick off her ice cream cone and looked at Austin, waiting for his response.

‘Doesn’t she know not to lick a cone like that around a guy?’

Austin swallowed the thick lump that just formed in his throat and willed the one that was forming in his pants to disappear also. Telling her why he was volunteering would take his mind off of that seductive lick that she just did and didn’t even know it.

“Not everyone knows why I’m volunteering at the hospital.” Austin quickly glanced at Emery then back at the ducks across the way.

Emery already knew why since his mom had told her mom. “Why is that? You didn’t choose to volunteer on your own?”

‘Now let’s see if he tells me the truth.’

Austin let out a deep sigh and tossed the last of his ice cream cone into the garbage next to him. “Long story made short.” He glanced at Emery, who seemed anxious to hear his story. “I got into trouble when school let out in May. I was drinking with some friends and got busted by the cops.” He glanced out of the corner of his eye at Emery. She didn’t look at all surprised by his reason. “Instead of a big fine and having it go down on my record, they let me off with a written citation and doing six months community service.”

‘He told the truth, I’m impressed.’

“Why’d you pick the hospital and why the children’s cancer ward?” Emery knew his mom probably had a big say in where he did his service. She tossed her half eaten ice cream cone into the garbage that Austin had just used.

“My mom told me I had to choose something that wasn’t sports-related. So, she suggested the hospital. The people there who place volunteers put me in the kid's department. They thought the younger boys would like to have another guy they could relate to. You know, since it’s mostly all females that volunteer.”

‘Why is it so easy to talk to her? It’s not like I have to pretend to be funny, sarcastic, or the snob that everyone assumes I am.’

“How do you like it so far?” Emery knew from experience with others who had volunteered on that particular floor that most left after a few weeks. They couldn’t help but to fall into a depression of knowing those kids were going to die.

Austin shook his head. “How could I not like it? I mean, who wouldn’t like spending all afternoon just playing video games?” He saw Emery scrunch up her nose like she didn’t think playing Xbox would be so much fun. “Okay.” Austin gently pushed her shoulder. “What guy wouldn’t want to play video games all day? Better?” He saw a small smile break out and she nodded her head yes. “Why do you volunteer there?”

Emery contemplated telling him the truth but then opted out of being so brutally honest. “I like being around the kids. I want them to be happy even though they are really sick.” That was the honest truth, she just didn’t put in the why’s of her being there.

“Do you really think that some of them will…you know…die?” Austin had never been around anyone that was younger than ninety when they died.

Emery saw that he looked scared to hear the answer, but she nodded her head that he was right. “Some sooner than the others. Most before the end of the year.” Emery knew the scene all too well. Most of the ones who stayed long term in that department only had about a six month time.

“Wow, that really sucks.” Austin found it hard to believe that those young boys he played games with every day might not be around for Christmas. They both sat there in silence for the next several moments. Each wrapped up in their own thoughts.

Emery looked at her cell phone and saw that they were both going to be late if they didn’t get moving. “I guess we better get going.” She showed Austin the time. He nodded his head and stood to leave. “Thanks for the ice cream cone.” Emery followed him over to the vehicles.

“Any time.” Austin offered her a smile, but he still felt down thinking about all those little kids. “You gonna be there tomorrow?”

“Every day.” Emery opened up her door and sat down. “Have fun at practice,” she yelled to Austin before he got into his truck.

He gave her a thumbs-up. “Have fun with all the pups,” he yelled back before starting his vehicle. They both backed out of the ice cream shop parking lot, beeped their horns for goodbye, and headed in opposite directions.