Page 57 of We Own Tonight
Timothy’s eyes light up. “That would be sofun!”
Great. Now I’m going to have not only Eli but also Timothy and his friends trying to get me topuke.
“How about we go have some fun, bud? The whole park is ours so there are nolines!”
“Awesome!”
It is pretty awesome. If I were a kid, I would think this is like Christmas morning. To get an entire amusement park to myself and my closest friends would’ve been the best thing ever. He and his friends make a plan on the most efficient way to get all the rides in as the adults try to get them tofocus.
Timothy’s mom, Cindi, walks over, wraps her arms around Eli, and cries while letting out a laugh. “I can’t thank you enough for this. He never could have handled a day with crowds, and you’re hisidol.”
“I’m happy to do it. He seems like such a greatkid.”
“He watches your show each week. He can tell you everything you’ve done to save theday.”
Eli laughs. “I used to watch cop shows with my dad as akid.”
“He always wanted to be a police officer.” She looks wistfully at her son. “I hate that he’ll never be able to dothat.”
Eli places his hand on her shoulder and squeezes. “If there’s anything I cando.”
Cindi shakes her head. “You have no idea what this will mean to him. To hang out with you and have a day where it isn’t about cancer. He can just be a kidtoday.”
The parallels I feel for his mother are everywhere. I know the fear, the hate, and helplessness she feels. Watching her son smile because of the man in front of me will carry her through the dark days. He has no idea that this gesture will not only mean the world to Timothy but also to all those aroundhim.
He turns back to me, taking my hand in his. “My girlfr—” His lips press together, stopping the word. “Heather is a police officer, I’m sure Timothy will love hearing real stories fromher.”
She smiles at me. “Oh, if he finds that out, you’re in bigtrouble.”
I laugh. “I’m happy to take him on a ride along if I can get clearance from myboss.”
Her smile is huge, and she pulls me into her arms. “Bless youboth.”
“Mom!” Timothy yells, breaking the moment the three of us were sharing. “You gotta see this, Mom! Eli, are youcoming?”
“I’ll be right there, dude. I just need to take care ofsomething.”
Timothy waves, and his friends run with him in the wheelchair all screaming andlaughing.
Eli turns back to me and grins. “Are you okay with this being our datetoday?”
“Oh my God, I’m more than okay with it. Thank you for letting me behere.”
His hand cups my cheek, and I lean into his touch. He looks over my shoulder and then back to me. “I have another surprise fortoday.”
“Youdo?”
His gaze shifts, and I followit.
Never in a million years would I have guessed this would be thesurprise.
But sure enough, my sister is coming toward me with a huge smile. Anthony pushes her in the wheelchair, and Igasp.
Stephanie holds her arms out, and I run to her. “I told you I’d see you!” Shelaughs.
I hug her tightly, overcome with another wash of emotion. “How?” I pull back. “How are youhere?”
She smiles and lifts her chin, motioning to Eli. “He came by the hospital and told me abouttoday.”
