Page 56 of Write Me For You
“See you tomorrow, Susan,” I said, and left Susan’s office. I gritted my teeth at the ache in my legs and reminded myself to get more pain meds later if I wanted any chance at sleep tonight. In the past few weeks, my pain had stepped up a notch, but then I guessed that was a side effect of my cancer progressing.
June’s door was still closed, so I knew she wasn’t back yet. I had a few images circling my head that I wanted to sketch, and as I opened the door to my room and stepped through, I heard “SURPRISE!”
I jumped and my eyes widened at my teammates and the cheerleaders from McIntyre all standing before me, smiles on their faces. There must have been about thirty people in my room. My suite had been completely decked out in blue and white, with get-well posters and pictures of me and my friends.
“Wh-what?” I stuttered. “What are y’all doing here?”
Michaels, my best friend and teammate, stepped forward. “We’ve come to see you and wish you luck for the next round of treatment,” he said.
I noticed his smile dip a little as he looked me over. It made my stomach fall. “I know I look like shit,” I said, and Michaels snapped eyes up to me.
“I-I-I…” he stuttered.
I slapped him on the arm. “I’m messing with you,” I said, just as Josie, my friend and head cheerleader, handed me a gift bag.
“Jesse, it’s so good to see you,” she said and gave me a hug.
I sat down on the bed, trying to not let my tiredness show. I opened the gift bag and pulled out a home jersey. All my teammates had written messages of luck and get-wells all over it.
“I love it,” I said, voice tight. When I looked up, all the cheers had died down and everyone was looking at me a little awkwardly. I felt like a fish in a tank. Standing, I said, “What are y’all standing there for? Come say hi.” The tension lessened as I hugged my teammates and friends one by one. They were all wearing their football sweats, and the cheerleaders were decked out in full uniform, even down to the pom-poms in their hands.
As they all settled around the room, sitting on the floor, cushions and seats, Michaels led the conversation about the current season and the many losses they were having. As I listened to them all tell me about their games and parties and gossip, I felt completely detached. They talked of our rival teams and game days, but that life seemed so far away.
“When are you coming back?” Gavin, the stand-in QB, asked. A self-deprecating laugh bubbled out of him. “I’m dying out there, man.” His eyes widened so much that it made me laugh. “I didn’t mean to say…I’m so sorry,” he sputtered.
Dying.Such a taboo subject.
“It’s okay, man,” I said and laughed again. But that laughter turned to dust in my mouth. I loved them being here and appreciated how far they had all traveled to see me, especially after what had happened at Zilker Park. But they were treating me differently. They were trying, and I loved them all for it, but there was an awkwardness that just wouldn’t leave. That was the problem with dying or fighting a disease that was trying to destroy you—people didn’t treat you the same; they saw you as breakable and fragile. Banks clearly had.
“I’d love to say I’ll be back soon, but…” I shrugged. “I’ve got more treatment to get through.” Surprisingly, that felt good to say, to not have to be so intent on my future.
“But youarecoming back, right?” Michaels said, and I could have heard a pin drop with how quiet the room had grown. Only my mom, sisters, and coach knew about the results I’d been given. My friends were in the dark. I tried to think of what to say, opening my mouth to give them a response when my door suddenly flew open and my nerves instantly lessened as June barreled through.
“Jesse!” she said, eyes locked on her notebook in her hands. “I’ve written more…” Slowly, she came to a stop and lifted her eyes, taking in the people in my room all now focused on her. Her cheeks flushed, and I watched her swallow her nerves.
Thirty sets of curious eyes assessed my girl as she stood there in black leggings, fluffy socks, slippers, and an oversized black sweater. She was wearing a red headscarf today, and it made her brown eyes look like the leaves in fall.
June snapped her head to me when no one said anything.
“Junebug,” I said and held out my hand.
It took her a second to move, shyness taking her over, but she took my hand anyway, and I pulled her into me. Immediately, any awkwardness I was feeling vanished as I wrapped my arm around her waist.
Facing my team, I said, “Guys, this is June. My girlfriend.”
I saw the shocked looks on their faces, saw people assessing June and clearly seeing she was a patient here too. Michaels stood up first. “I’m Michaels—James—but everyone calls me Michaels. I’m Jesse’s best friend.”
“Hi,” June said, and shook his hand. Then she shyly waved at everyone else. “Hey. Nice to meet y’all.”
June faced me. I explained,. “My team wanted to surprise me with a visit before going into phase two.” Her shoulders relaxed and I could see the pleased expression on her face.
“That’s so nice,” she said. She’d been my rock the past couple of days, and I could see she was genuinely touched by my team doing this for me.
“Coach has been setting up a barbeque outside for us all.” Michaels nodded at June. “He’s inviting everyone here too. You should come.”
“Thank you,” June said politely, and I pulled her closer. “I’ll leave y’all to it,” she said, attempting to get away, but I held her close.
“Actually,” I said, facing my team, “I just need a quick word with June, then I’ll be right out.”
