Tommy stomped his feet, and crossed his arms, “I’m going home!”
Jill looked like her whole world was coming apart.
Freddy shook his head, “You’re just jealous! ‘Cause Jill picked me as her Daddy, and you as her little brother!”
“Am not!” Tommy glared at Freddy. “I just don’t wanna play this stupid game anymore!”
Jill, sitting in her wheelchair, looked down at her lap and started to cry. Freddy glared at Tommy. “Now look what you did!”
Tommy started to cry too. “But…” He shuffled from side to side on his feet. “I didn’t mean to.”
Freddy nudged Tommy’s shoulder. “Hey. It’s OK. We have to be big boys today.” He smiled at Tommy. “Right?”
Tommy sniffed, and wiped his nose on his sleeve. “Yeah. Big boys.” His eyes said, “I know what a big boy would do.” He put a hand on Jill’s shoulder, “Don’t cry.” He knelt in front of her, took both her hands, and held them gently, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I’ll be your little brother.”
Jill sniffed. “You really mean that?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you!” Jill gave Tommy a quick, shy hug. Tommy turned bright red.
Jill’s mother checked on them every now and then. Those boys were such a gift. Taking time to come over and play with Jill. They knew Jill’s cancer would kill her. But they still took time to play with her.
Jill’s mother smiled, and looked up at heaven, “Thank you.”
243 Words
@LurchMunster
I wrote this for Siobhan Muir‘s #ThursThreads, Week 72. Please go read all the entries in this week’s #ThursThreads. They are good reading.
Alice led me to a building across the courtyard. Inside was a long hall that led to an altar of some kind. To each side of the hall were wooden chairs. A female was sitting in one of them. Alice‘s voice echoed in my mind, “I’m sorry we kept you waiting, Cynthia. He got distracted by the rain.”
My Soul's Tears 