Page 92 of Pity Present
I’ll ask. That way I can fill them in on the whole story.
Me
Thank you, Ellen. That would be amazing.
Ellen
Don’t thank me yet. I’ll try to find them and talk to them today.
Me
Tell them I’ll leave their tickets at Will Call. I’ll leave Molly’s too if they can convince her to go.
I was not Ellen’s biggest fan last night in the ballroom. But then she came by my room and offered to help me patch things upwith her sister. Now, she’s going above and beyond to get Molly to the Bulls game. I pick up my phone and go to a search engine to find out who’s who in the Bulls organization. I find their publicist’s name and write her an email.
Dear Sharon,
My name is Blake Walsh and I’m the new sports reporter forChicago Wind. I have a big favor to ask …
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
MOLLY
Ellen left me two hours ago to get a diet soda from the vending machine down the hall and she hasn’t returned yet. I finally decide to go search for her, but she’s not on our floor. I find her sitting in the great room, talking to Ben and his parents.
Walking over to them, I look at her and say, “I thought you were coming right back.”
“Molly, hey! I was, but then I ran into Francie, Ward, and Ben.” She smiles at them all.
Francie says, “Sit down, we have something we want to ask you.”
I sit in the rocking chair next to my sister. “What’s up?”
Ward says, “We’d like to thank you for taking those beautiful pictures of us and putting them in a frame.”
“We’ll cherish it always,” Francie says, her voice choked with emotion.
“You’re most welcome,” I tell them. “And honestly it wasn’t that much.”
“We got some good news this morning,” Francie says. “Benhas been accepted into a clinical trial in New York. We’re going to leave right after Christmas.”
That must be the trial Trina told me about. “That’s wonderful news!” I tell them. Then I look at Ben and say, “You’ll love New York. Try to go ice skating in Central Park if you’re up to it.”
Ben looks tired but he still manages a small smile. “That sounds really cool. I’ve never been to New York before. I think they have a big apple there. I’d like to go see that.”
Ward playfully pats Ben’s arm. “New York is called the Big Apple. There’s no real apple that I know of.” Then Ben turns to me and says, “We just scored some courtside tickets to the Bulls game on Christmas Eve. We were wondering if you’d like to join us.”
Basketball really isn’t my thing, but I really like these people, especially Ben. “I’d be honored to join you, but wouldn’t you rather take a friend of Ben’s?”
Ben says, “You’re my friend, Molly. So, Iwouldbe taking a friend.”
That has to be the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. “In that case,” I tell him, “I’d love to come.”
“We’re leaving earlier than we’d planned so we can get home and pack for New York,” Francie says. She hands me a piece of paper with her phone number on it. “Text me your number so we can arrange all the details.” Then she stands up and signals for Ward and Ben to do the same. “Come on, gang, we need to make tracks.”
Ben runs over to me and throws his arms around me. “Bye, Molly! Thanks for everything! I’ll see you at the game.” Then he hurries off with his parents.
“What a nice family,” Ellen says. “They told me what you did for them. You’re a good egg, Molly.”
