Page 19 of The Wish
‘Dad!’ Jesse cries out.
‘He’s the person who wants to help Jesse get her wish. Don’t worry, he’s been vetted by the hospital and the foundation,’ her mum says, clearly trying to pacify her husband.
But Jesse’s father is not to be mollified. ‘Wasn’t he the one who walked out on you yesterday? Why are we trusting someone like that?’
‘Dean,’ her mother says firmly, ‘you’re being unreasonable. Let’s just hear Jesse out.’
‘Oh,unreasonable, am I?’ He laughs hollowly. ‘Yes, it’s sounreasonableof me to expect a level of caution when it comes to young men hanging around my daughter—’
‘Stop it. Stop it!’ Sam yells, pulling away from Jesse.
‘Look what you’ve done!’ Jesse’s mum snaps.
Going on the defensive, Dean backs away, hands raised. ‘OK, I’ll shut up. Forgive me for giving a damn.’
‘Yes, that’s right, you shut up, you’re good at that, really good at not saying what you’re thinking or feeling except to criticise—’
‘Stop it. Jesse, make them stop,’ Sam pleads, his hands over his ears.
Dean attempts to reach out to his son, but Mandy steps in his way. ‘I think it’s best if you go now.’
‘Fine, I’ll see you all later,’ he says, walking out of the room.
Jesse has been watching all this in horror. Just a few minutes ago, she was buzzing with energy and excitement; now she’s watching the people she loves most in the world – the people this wish is for – tear each other apart. She touches Sam on the shoulder, and he crawls up into her arms. When their mother attempts to hold him, he flinches.
‘Leave Jesse and me alone,’ Sam stammers.
‘Darling, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to fight with your father.’
‘I said leave us alone.’
Jesse nods at her mother, indicating that she’s got this.
Mandy stands, helplessly looking at her children. Sam’s words are like knives to her heart, and tears spring to her eyes.
‘It’s all right, Mum, I’ll look after Sam for a while. It’ll be all right.’ Jesse’s voice is calm but firm. Mandy registers how their roles are reversed. Her child is taking charge of the situation, as her parents squabble like teenagers.
Fighting back tears, Mandy stumbles to the door. She turns to see Sam sliding under the covers with Jesse, her arms enfolding him. Outside the room, Mandy leans against the wall trying to compose herself. Visitors walk past, seeing her visibly upset, they look down and hurry on – they can only guess what she’s dealing with. Everyone in this ward is facing the unimaginable. Looking up Mandy sees Dean enter the nearby Parents’ Room. She follows him, wary of another outburst but unsure what else to do.
At the door, Mandy watches as Dean scans the room. Two distinct groups are gathered at each end. He looks at the group of mothers, nods at the ones he recognises. The women are drinking coffee, sharing concerns about their children, comforting each other where needed. At the far end of the room, the fathers congregate. A game of football plays quietly on a big screen and all eyes are on it. Dean gets himself a glass of water and joins the men. Mandy continues to stand at the doorway, not yet ready for Dean to see she’s there. They are only a few metres apart, but the distance between them could be continents wide.
‘How you doing?’ several of the men ask Dean as he approaches.
‘You know how it is,’ he answers.
All the men murmur in agreement. Yes, they all know exactly how it is.
‘Great mob, that Inspire a Wish foundation,’ one of the men says quietly, not making eye contact with anyone.
Dean stares grimly at the screen, not answering.
An awkward silence surrounds the men for several moments before one of the fathers changes the subject.
‘So, who’s your money on here, Dean, think our boys can pull it off?’
Mandy registers Dean relaxing a little and so goes to join the women. She sees his head turn towards her but chooses not to meet his eye.
‘How are you bearing up, Mandy?’ It’s Lauren. Her little boy is only seven but has been in and out of hospital almost as often as Jesse has.
