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Right after one in the morning I decide to head down to the cafeteria to raid the vending machines. It’s been hours since I’ve eaten, though I hadn’t been hungry until recently. After grabbing a Diet Mountain Dew, a bag of pretzels, and two candy bars, one for me and one for my mom, I head back upstairs, finding my mom fast asleep, curled up in the bed next to my dad.
I shake my head at the two of them. Even in the hospital, neither of them can sleep well without the other. Again, Harris enters my mind. I don’t know why, but I can’t seem to escape the thought of him. It’s like all of a sudden he’s everywhere, and try as I might, I can’t seem to shake him.
——
Idon’t know what timeI dozed off, or how long I slept, but when my eyes flutter open there’s daylight. I straighten in my seat, noticing that my dad’s bed is empty and my mom is nowhere in sight.
Looking to my left, I see a large bouquet of red and blue flowers, complete with a crystal vase.
My stomach instantly drops.
“You’re awake.” I jump when my mom pushes her way into the room, a cup of coffee in her hand.
“Where’s Dad?” I ask, rubbing my eyes with the backs of my hands.
“They took him downstairs to run a few tests before his procedure.” She crosses the room and takes the seat next to me before turning her gaze to the flowers. “These came for you this morning. I didn’t want to wake you so I told the delivery guy to leave them here.” A small smile plays on her lips. “So, are you going to tell me who Harris is?”
“What?” I croak, not nearly awake enough for this conversation.
“The name on the card says Harris.”
“You read the card?” My mouth goes dry.
“Well, how else was I supposed to know who they were from?” She takes a tentative sip of her coffee as she looks at me, clearly waiting for some sort of explanation. “I have to say, he seems quite sweet. I didn’t know you were dating anyone.”
“Mom,” I groan. “He’s just some guy I work with. We aren’t dating.” I reach over and pull the small envelope out of the center of the flowers. Peeling it open, my eyes scan the card several times over as I try to keep my reaction from showing on my face.
Roses may be red,
but violets arenotBLUE.
Whether you want me to or not
I’ll always be here for you.
Harris
P.S. Please send your father my best.
P.P.S. Am I winning yet?
Despite my best efforts, a smile still manages to touch my lips. It’s brief and fleeting, but my mother doesn’t miss it.
“So, do I have to ask again or are you going to tell me who this man is and why he’s sending you flowers and love poems.”
“Mom, it’s not a love poem. He’s just a friend from work.”
“That doesn’t seem like something a friend would send to another friend. I know times have changed, but lord, I don’t think they’ve changed that much.” She gives me that look that only a mom can give you. The one that says she grew you inside her body, birthed you and raised you for eighteen years, so give her a little credit. “Come on. I’m sick to death worrying over your father. Distract me for a few minutes.”
“There’s really nothing to tell. We really are just friends.”Lies, so many lies.
“Do you like him?”
“He’s my friend. Yeah, I like him.”
“Not what I meant and you know it.”
“I do. He’s really nice and funny. But no.” I point at her face. “Don’t look at me like that. We are not dating nor are we going to.”
