"Ma!" Jack Mercer called out to his mother as he bounded his way into the house after school. Evelyn walked out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a tea towel, and smile on her face as she saw her youngest son.
"Yes Jackie?" she asked the boy, taking his bag from him and placing it on the floor. Jack just grinned at her before grabbing her hands and leading her over to the couch, ignoring the blaring T.V that one of the other boys had left on.
"I was wondering, if I could go to a concert this weekend? Its not far, and its not too big. I can give you the details later? And Matt would be coming with me? His mum said he could go if I can go?" the boy begged, fluttering his eyelashes at his mother and a massive grin appearing on his face. Though for some reason, Evelyn noticed, it didn't reach his eyes. She ignored that thought, at least he was smiling, better then how he normally was.
"Well, I reckon you can go. You have been behaving yourself. Who's driving? Matt?" Jack had yet to get his licence because he was scared he wouldn't pass. Jack nodded his head.
"Yeah, Matt would be driving. So that's a yes? Can I go and call Matt and let him know?" he asked.
Evelyn smiled, nodding.. Those two boys, they'd been going to concerts a lot lately. Every couple of weekends they were off to another concert. But she figured, because they were causing no trouble, there was no reason for them not to go.
Jack hugged Evelyn, before jumping up and rushing towards the phone.
***
The bus was quiet. Few people were on. Jack, Matt, the bus driver, and around four other people. Old ladies really. It was quiet. Very quiet. Jack and Matt each had an earphone in. listening to the same Ipod. Both were staring out the window. Jack clutching his bag to his stomach and his thoughts a mile away.
His thoughts were bouncing from images and thoughts to other images and thoughts. None seemed to remain in his head for long.
"Matt?" he finally broke the uncomfortable silence between the two of them. Guitar riffs strumming in their ears. Matt turned to look at him, his grey eyes concerned and waiting.
"I.." he trailed off. Not sure how to say what he wanted, needed, to say.
"It's ok, I'm here." was all Matt said to the unsaid words. And that was enough. Enough for Jack, to know that his best friend was with him. The boys held no joy of two kids going to a concert.
***
Sitting in the waiting room of the hospital was quickly becoming a least favourite place. The endless hours of waiting. The boredom that attacks the moment you sit down. Hospitals are the worst possible places to be on Earth.
The headphones blasting some rock music the two boys liked was still playing for them, keeping them at least semi entertained. Jack and Matt were both gazing unseeing around the waiting room at the other occupants. All of them seemed to have that same scared look on their faces that was so obvious. They looked sick and tired and like almost giving up. The old and the young. Age didn't matter in this place.
One woman walked out of one of the rooms, a humongous smile gracing her tired face. Good news had reached her ears, Jack predicted.
Matt stood, walked to the vending machine, and returned a moment later with two cokes. He handed one to Jack. Jack took his and sipped it, letting the cold liquid run down his throat, giving him something else to think on, rather then just the awaiting appointment.
An elderly woman sat down on the spare seat next to Jack, her white hair matching her white walking stick. Wrinkles lining both her face and her hands. And some sweet old lady type perfume wafted over the boy. He looked at her and she smiled a heartbreakingly sad smile at him.
"So young," she murmured. "don't worry dear, you'll be just fine. You look like a strong lad!" she told him quietly, patting his shoulder, smiling gently at him. Jack managed a smile back at her, not used to the sympathy and politeness he received from her.
"Thank you Ma'am" Jack replied. Not sure of the correct response he should have been giving. Matt leant around him to look at the old woman.
"And he's even stronger then he looks," he told the lady, sadly, voice filled with meaning. The woman nodded her head understandingly. She may not have known what Matt meant but she understood strength when it was sitting before her aged eyes.
A little while later a man with salt and pepper hair called out Jacks name, and he and Matt stood. Both Jack and Matt gave the little old lady and hug, thanking her and wishing her luck, and she gave them another one of her smiles.
The two boys entered a small room just behind the man, and took the two proffered seats. The man sat behind his desk.
"I am doctor Ron Chambers. Now, I am sure you are well aware of why you are here. That being said, in a moment we shall proceed down to the room where your chemotherapy shall begin. Are you ready Mr Mercer?" the man said, smiling softly at Jack.
Jack shook his head, but Matt spoke over the shaking head.
"Yes Sir he is. Will I be able to go with him?"
The man nodded his head.
A grave silence filled the small room for a moment before a knock on the door.