"You have everything?"
"I think so." Jordi nodded.
"Your phone? Your music? My phone number?"
Jordi laughed. "Already saved in my contacts."
"You better use it."
"Every Sunday, right after lunch."
"Good. Now give me a hug."
Jordi wrapped his arms around the woman. Nurse Jackson might have a reputation for being mean but he knew the truth. She was like the kettle corn he bought when Dr McAndrews let them go to the park, a little bit salty and a little bit sweet. Jordi was going to miss her.
"Bye Jordi." Britney hugged him. "These are for your trip."
Jordi unfolded the top of the bag to find homemade peanut butter cookies. He should have known she'd somehow figured out his favorites. "Thanks."
"Vaya con Dios." Kenji hugged him.
"Thanks."
"Erin had a meeting. She's sorry she couldn't be here."
"Me too."
"You said goodbye to the others?"
Jordi nodded. Adam thought for a moment he could see tears starting to form.
"I'll walk down with you."
"You don't have to."
"I want to." Adam picked up one of the bags.
They waited in silence for the elevator. Adam felt strangely awkward. He should be happy that a patient was going home. But he didn't want Jordi to leave.
"So," Adam finally spoke once they were on their way down to the lobby. "You have my number?"
"Yes."
"Good. I want you to call me okay. Anything you need."
"Okay sure."
"I mean it, Jordi. Anything. Not just hospital stuff. You can call me about school stuff, girl stuff."
"You want me to call you about girls?"
"I want you to know you can. And email me okay. Let me know how things are going."
"I can do that."
Adam handed the bags to the waiting cab driver. "I wish you had taken the plane tickets. Be a lot quicker trip."
"Abuela doesn't like to fly."
"Well call when you get home okay. Or Jackson might worry."
"Jackson, right."
Adam held out his hand. "Take care of yourself, Jordi."
Jordi took his hand and gave it a firm shake. "Take care of Jackson okay."
Adam pulled the boy into a hug. "I'm going to miss you."
"Me too." Jordi whispered.
Adam pulled back. "Okay no more or I might start crying. Jackson would never let me live it down."
Adam helped Jordi climb into the back seat next to his grandmother, handing the boy his crutches before carefully closing the door. He stood watching the cab drive off to deliver them to the train station. It was marginally better than the bus but it was all Jordi'a grandmother would accept from him.
Adam remained where he was for a long moment after the cab was gone. Then he wiped his damp eyes, sighed and went back to work.