Chapter 4:

Byron

"Where's your sister?" Brady ambushes me the second I step into Spanish class. From next to me, Leah sends him a death glare.

"She has the flu." I've always covered for Bee whenever she has to be in the hospital for tests. She hates her illness being used as a source of gossip.

"She does? Does she need anything?"

"No. She's good. Thanks, though." I drop my bag next to my desk and pull out my phone.

Me: Brady's asking about you again.

Bee: What did you tell him?

Me: You have the flu.

Bee: Thanks.

Me: No prob. I'll bring G up to see you today. How're you feeling?

Bee: Like shit. But what else is new? At least my o2 is higher than it used to be.

Me: That's good. When will they spring you?

Bee: Don't know. Heart cath isn't that much worse. They're upping some of my meds.

Me: I'm sorry. I'll be up with G later.

Leah is leaning against my locker after my last class of the day. She looks incredibly nervous, drumming her fingers against my locker door. Her eyes light up when she sees me.

"Hey, Leah. What's up?" I ask as I twist my combination lock.

"Hey, Byron. I was just wanting to ask if you wanted to go to a bonfire down at the beach tonight."

I do. I really do. But Mom will be at the hospital with Bianca as much as possible, and that leaves me to watch Gianna. Mom has enough on her plate; paying for a babysitter isn't something I want her to worry about.

"I'm sorry, Leah." Her face falls and her hands begin to shake. "I really want to go. It's just not a good time. My sister has a bad flu and needs to rest. My mom is a nurse and is working late. I have to watch my little sister and she goes to bed at 8:00. I'm really sorry. But do you want to something a little later this week?"

Leah's eyes light up again. "I'd love that. It's a shame about the bonfire, though. Is Bianca okay?"

"Oh, yeah. Just a run of the mill flu. She's just sleeping it off."

I hate lying to Leah. She looks at me with an expression of pure trust. I definitely don't want her to stop trusting me. But I also can't tell everyone about Bianca's heart condition. It wouldn't be fair to Bee.

"Would you like to do something on Saturday?" she asks.

"I'll let you know. Can I have your number?"

I my phone to make sure that my messages app is closed before I hand it over to Leah. She types for a second before handing it back.

"Great. I'll text you. I've gotta go pick up my little sister. I'll see you in school tomorrow."

Gianna babbles about her kindergarten class the entire way to Seattle Children's Hospital. She alternates her nearly continuous stream of conversation with shoving Goldfish crackers in her mouth.

"Careful, G. You don't wanna choke."

"I won't." Gianna shoves a huge handful in her mouth as if to prove her point. I hold my breath until he's swallowed it all.

"Don't do that again, Gianna. I'm serious." I give my sister my patented "big brother death glare."

"Fine." Gianna rolls her eyes.

Bee is sitting up in her hospital bed when we get there. She has an oxygen mask over her nose and mouth, and heart monitor electrodes snake under her gown and are stuck to her chest. She's reading something from a textbook. She gives me a smile and waves.

"Hey, Byron. How's life? Hey, Gianna. Come here."

She adjusts the wires snaking away from her body so that our little sister can curl into her side.

"Everything's good. I told everyone you had a bad flu and were just sleeping it off. I brought you your homework again."

"Thanks, Bro."

"No problem. How're you feeling?"

"I'm okay." She ruffles Gianna's hair. "How about you, G? How was school today?"

Bee relaxes back into her hospital bed as Gianna begins to tell the same rambling stories that she'd told me on the way up. I watch as Bee slowly drifts off to sleep.

"Come on, G. Let's get dinner at the cafeteria and then get you home." I carefully scoop Gianna up before leaning down to kiss Bee's forehead.

"Love you, Bee."

The drive home is a lot quieter than the drive up. Gianna falls asleep about halfway through, so I turn the radio on low and relax back into my seat.

I carefully lift Gianna from her car seat and carry her into the house, kicking the door closed with my heal. I'm careful to move her as little as possible as I climb the stairs to her bedroom.

"Good night, Gianna. Sleep well." I murmur as I tuck the blankets around her.

"Byron?" Mom calls out. I'm just finishing up a math assignment.

"Hey, Mom." I start downstairs and into the kitchen. Mom is unpacking groceries. She looks pale and exhausted. She's still wearing her scrubs.

"How was school, Honey?" Mom opens the fridge to put some eggs in.

"It was long. Mom, you look spent. Go to bed. I got this." I indicate the several bags of groceries on the counter.

"Are you sure? Have you finished all your homework?"

"Yep." I lie. I can do my homework after the groceries.

"Okay. I love you. Thank you for helping so much."

"Bee's illness is tough on all of us. I'm just trying to lighten the load."

Mom pulls me into a quick hug before moving back to the stairs. "Get some sleep, okay? Bee's going to be alright. She'll be released in a couple days."

"Okay. I'll see you in the morning. Night, Mom."

"Night, Buddy." She uses the old nickname for me that she always used when I was little. I was Buddy and Bianca was Baby. Gianna is G-Bug.

I smile and turn away to finish unpacking the groceries. Mom's door clicks closed, leaving me alone. I quickly unpack the groceries, wad up the bags and shove them into the small drawer we keep them in. I clean the counters, turn off the lights, and head for the stairs. It's time for me to pass out; I can finish my homework tomorrow.

A/n: for once I'm updated on time! i hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Later!

Lauren.

MerliaPhoenix: That's an interesting theory. The short answer is no, it wouldn't work. There are several reasons for this, so I'll send you a PM. I'm so glad you like all my works. I hope you like this chapter too. Please review and let me know.