Page 77 of The Wish
‘Hey, you don’t owe me an apology. Never. OK?’
She clears her throat and looks at him, forcing him to meet her eye.
‘Alex, you know I’m not going to get better this time, there will be no remission for me, I can’t take any more chemo, and the bone marrow transplant I had from Sam didn’t work. Seems I’ve got funny blood, and donors don’t grow on trees, apparently.’
Alex can’t find his voice so simply nods, but he holds her gaze. She’s so brave it takes his breath away.
‘I want you to know something, Alex. These past few weeks, since you became my friend, with trying to make my wish, with us fighting, our balloon ride – oh my God, that was the best– well, it’s all been wonderful. I’ve never had a friend like you before. I want to thank you, I know it’s been tough on you, particularly with my dad and everything.’
Alex nods again. He’s not sure anyone has spoken to him like this before – like he matters. Like he’s made a difference. Like he’s a true friend.
‘I need you to do something else for me,’ Jesse says.
‘Anything.’
‘Make it work out with Kelly, you two need each other,’ she says, grinning.
Alex is stunned by her audacity and finally finds his voice. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Alex, please, I may only be fifteen, but we’ve all seen what’s going on between you two, or what you’re both trying so hard to ignore. You could be soulmates if you just let it happen.’
Jesse pauses, looking at Alex, watching his reaction.
‘You’ll have to go after her though, she’s a tough cookie, or so she thinks.’
Alex shakes his head, marvelling at the wisdom and maturity of the teenager in front of him.
‘Can you keep a secret?’ he asks.
‘No.’
‘OK, appreciate your honesty. I’ll tell you anyway. You’re right, the more I fight and argue with her, the more I want to see her. And, she hasn’t said it, but I think she might feel the same way.’
Jesse bounces on her bed. ‘I knew it, I knew it.’
‘And it’s all because of you,’ Alex says beaming.
‘Aw shucks, me, cupid?’
‘Yes, you, cupid, well maybe, let’s see. Do you want to know something else?’
Jesse struggles to sit up more, leaning towards Alex.
‘We’ve done it. We’ve finished the main part of your wish. We just need you, your family and friends to come into the studio to bring it all together. Oh, Jesse, I gotta tell you . . .’
It’s suddenly all too much for Alex. He abruptly stands, turns his back on Jesse and walks to the window, looking out at the night sky. Jesse watches his back, sees his hand rise and wipe at his face. With his back to her he hears her whisper, ‘I knew you could do it. When can we finish it?’
Regaining his composure Alex returns to Jesse’s bed and sits.
‘As soon as you, your mum and Kelly can make it happen. But are you going to be able to leave here and come to the studio? And what about your dad? It isn’t your wish if he isn’t in it.’
‘Leave my dad to me, I can bring him around. He loves me, he’s told me many times there’s nothing he wouldn’t do for me, so it’s time for him to listen and act on those words. I’ll be well enough. Alex, we can do this,Ican do this, I believe in you. You just deal with Kelly. Deal?’
‘OK, it’s a deal. Is there anything else I can do for you?’ Alex asks staring intently at Jesse. He wants her to know that there is nothing he won’t try to do for her.
Jesse looks away. ‘There’s a place I’d like to go one more time. With you – I’d like to show you before it’s too late. Will you take me?’
Alex knows he was lucky to get away with it last time. But he also knows he’d do anything for Jesse, anything he can. ‘When?’ he asks.
