"Hey, bro, what's school like?"
"It's pretty terrible… Believe me, you're not missing anything."
Outside the window, clouds trundled past, dancing around the sunlight. The golden glow felt through the glass onto a hospital cot, and its occupant. The young girl brought the blanket up to her chin for a moment, head tucked onto her thin wrists, before bringing it back down. She gazed up at her brother.
"Terrible? Aw, it doesn't sound that bad to me! You have all kinds of teachers, and classes. You get to study!"
Mike snorted. "Studying isn't any fun, Lizzy."
"But you get to see people! Isn't it fun, spending the day with your friends?"
"I don't know." Mike squirmed, rubbing his knobby shoulder. "I never really liked any of it, I guess. The being with people, I mean. Like, in school you just have to socialize, avoid awkward situations, and fit in. It's just hard to be with people."
Mike scratched at a spot on his chin. "It's just too much of a bother. Whatever, I dropped out. It's over now."
For a moment, Elizabeth's smile slipped, and Mike saw concern break through her bittersweet features. He hastily spoke again.
"But, I got my part-time job now, and it's great. I don't really have to deal with people. It's the life, I'm telling you!"
With a laugh, Lizzy smiled again, the tube protruding from her wrists swishing as she moved to embrace Mike.
She's so silly, Mike though, shivering in the cold. He ducked his head as another car passed, the orange stick in his hands glinting as he directed the vehicle.
If she knew what school was like, how hard it is to talk to people, then she would know why I gave up. Well, that was, if she ever…
Mike shivered again. She will, he promised himself.
Elizabeth hadn't been to school in years. Not since they had first found her tumor. She didn't know what it was like; she couldn't not wonder what existence was like outside of a hospital bed.
Their country's healthcare program paid for her basic treatment. Mike certainly wouldn't have been able to. After leaving school, he had gone to work for a contracting agency. After less than a week on the job, he had been shifted from any kind of skilled labor, to directing traffic around the construction.
Mike didn't mind. This way he didn't have to talk to anyone.
Another cutting gust whipped through him, sending his long tangled locks flipping. He probably should get a haircut, but he just couldn't work up the will to get around to it.
Maybe I should just quit, he thought, as he waved another car by.
It's just so much work. I guess I need this job to eat, otherwise I can't live.
He shivered, and his eyelids dropped. Still… It sure would be nice to just…
His eyes abruptly flew open. Well, wait. There was one other thing he needed to keep working for. He needed the money to pay for Lizzy's graphic novels.
That Saturday morning, after a night of half-sleep, he stopped by the bookstore again. He didn't stay long, because the cashier tried to talk with him as he checked out. He supposed she must have recognized him, considering how often he stopped at the shop.
Lizzie's doctor greeted him as he entered. Mike nodded at the diminutive women, and then frowned as he realized something.
He brought Lizzie a graphic novel every week. She tore through them, something about the adventures, the lively characters, he didn't know…
But, with dull regret, he realized something. Didn't most graphic novels follow a series? As far as he knew, he had just picked up whatever was stacked on the shops' discount counter. He didn't know if what he'd been giving her was all from the same series, or just random snapshots of different stories. Would she…?
"Thanks, bro!" Lizzie beamed. "Love you!" And without further ado, she brought the book up her eager gaze, tucking her knees under her chin.
Mike slumped into his chair at her bedside. She always says that, he thought in wonder. "Thanks Bro, love you!" Regardless of what I bring.
Watching her alive with energy, he smiled. The feeling he got, hearing her thank him, seeing her happy, it felt different. Unlike every other moment of his existence, he felt aglow.
I want to feel like this more, Mike realized.
Later that night, he formulated his plan.
Christmas is coming, he thought to himself, lying alone in his apartment. Don't kids like Christmas? I guess I did. And Lizzie, she's never really done anything for it before! I wonder if wheelchairs work in the snow… Well, I'll figure it out. I should take her out for dinner! Hmm, I'll need to start saving.
That Sunday morning, he ran to the Hospital. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lizzy's doctor as he strode through the door.
The hospital director glanced at his employee.
"When do you think we should tell him, Espinoza?"
The pediatrician turned away, eyes strained. "There's no hurry, sir. Please, let's just give those two of them a bit more time. "
As Mike entered the room, he noticed a new feature of the place. Someone had placed a flower on Lizzie's windowsill. A second apparatus had been brought in, and was hooked to a mask around Lizzie's face.
Whatever, he thought, as she turned to him, delighted. I'm used to the weird tests.
"Hey Lizard, where do you want to go for Christmas this year?"
She blinked. "Get out. What do you mean?"
He beamed. "This year, we're going out! Sight-seeing, shopping, you name it! Then, we'll go to dinner!"
Lizzie giggled, she thought he was joking. "Well, the trees on Main Street light up on Christmas! We should go see those."
"You're joking, do they?"
She punched his shoulders with the force of a breeze. "Of course, silly! Didn't you know! I read it in the paper."
"Well, I just don't get around a lot." Mike smiled. "Well, then it's decided. This Christmas, we'll go see the trees. And if they don't let you, then well, I'll just sneak you out."
Her eyes widened. "Wait… you really mean it?"
He nodded eagerly.
She cheered. "Oh, amazing! Thanks Bro! You're the best!"
The best, Mike thought, dazed.
In the days that followed, he had a purpose. It was a strange feeling for Mike, like holding a great weight, while being pulled forward by gilded wings. He got a secure job stocking shelves at the grocery store. Early in the morning, he'd be found lifting crates, eyes distant as he planned.
He'd found some magazines and looked through the adds. What kind of diner would an eleven year old girl like to have? Some place nice, of course, it was a special occasion. And her gift! It was Christmas, after all. Smiling to himself, Mike decided it would be best if she picked it herself. Why, last week he'd made $300. $300! She could pick out whatever she wanted.
Only one memory clouded his thoughts. On December 15th, Elizabeth's doctor had come to talk to him, touching his arm as he left Lizzie's room.
"Lizzy's condition is getting worse, Michael," she had murmured, gazing at him through spectacles. "The tumor's back and…
"So?" he had questioned. "Can't we just operate, like before?"
She had swallowed. "We're going to try. It's just, I know how special she is to you. She's special to me, as well. Just... stay with her, all right?"
Such a silly request, Mike thought. It wasn't like there was anyone else in his life.