Chapter
12
Two weeks later, Brian was completely bald. He practically lived in his
Kentucky Wildcats hat because he was self conscious about it.
Brian had been in the hospital for a month, and he had still not gone
into remission. He began to become depressed, thinking he would never be able
to leave the hospital. Plus, he had gotten lonely.
His parents had flown back to Lexington the week before because they
had to go back to their jobs. They called him every evening to check up on him
and had planned to fly back on the weekends, but he still missed them.
Kevin, Howie, and AJ still came by everyday to see him, but they didn't
stay as long as they used to. Brian didn't blame them. He figured it probably
depressed them to see him in that state, and plus, it was very boring just
sitting around in a hospital room all day.
But Nick still stuck by Brian's side. He was there more than anyone
else, and never seemed to be annoyed by it. Brian appreciated him even more
than before he had gotten sick.
***
One morning, Brian was lying in bed, just flipping channels
absent-mindedly. He was completely bored. He didn't have a chemo session that
day, so he was feeling pretty good. He wished he could get up and play
basketball, but felt like he could barely pick up a basketball, he was so weak.
Nick arrived at about eleven. He came into Brian's room with a huge
grin on his face.
"Hey Frick, what's up?" he asked.
"Nothin' much. I'm just chillin' here flipping channels. There's
nothing on though."
"Well, I've got a surprise here for ya," Nick said, grinning
again.
"A surprise? What?" Brian asked excitedly.
"You'll see," Nick replied. He walked back out of the room. A
moment later, he returned with someone else.
"Leighanne!" Brian cried happily when he saw her.
Leighanne stared at Brian in shock. She couldn't believe the person
sitting up in that bed was her fiancée. He was so pale and fragile looking. He
had lost a lot of weight and looked small and vulnerable propped up in the
hospital bed. He was wearing his Wildcats cap, and she suspected that he was
bald underneath it. She tried to conceal her shock as she smiled and approached
him.
"How's my baby?" she asked as she perched on the edge of his
bed and pulled him into her arms.
"Pretty good, actually," he replied, hugging her tightly.
"I know I don't look the best, but I'm actually feelin' a lot better
today."
Leighanne felt her cheeks grow pink. She hoped he hadn't noticed how
shocked she was when she first saw him.
"That's good, sweetie," she said, kissing his pale cheek.
"I've been so worried about you."
"I missed you," Brian said. "It feels so good to hug you
again."
Leighanne smiled him. "Well, you can hug me all you like. I don't
plan on leaving anytime soon. I'm just so glad to see you." They hugged
again.
"I think I'll go down and get something to eat," Nick said,
leaving the room. Brian hadn't even realized he was still there. But now that
they were in private, Brian pulled Leighanne close to him and kissed her lips
lovingly.
***
