Burning Gold

It had been one week since Lily had gotten the news about her 9 year old brother; she had yet to tell him the extent of it, how can she? How is a young boy to understand how severe his illness really is and come to terms with the inevitable outcome of it?
To some magnitude, Sam knew, he knew that he was getting worse, just the fact that Lily didn’t share what her and the doctor had discussed gave him a hint. On top of that, he felt it within his body, he was weaker since the last round of chemotherapy and no news of a new round starting announced.
Every day at the hospital since, Lily struggled to joke around and bring a smile out of him, she needed to tell him but telling him meant it was true, Sam was going to die in a less than a year and she couldn’t change that, nothing could. She couldn’t accept it, so how would Sam be able to?
Today would be different though. A week is all Lily allowed herself to feel her emotions, then she had to smile, she had to bring out Sam’s smile and she had to be strong, for the both of them.
“Lily!” Sam cheered as she walked into his room.
“Hi Sam” She smiled widely at him. “How was your night? Are you in pain?” She dropped her purse on the table and sat down on the edge of his bed, extending her arm to pull him close and lightly kissing the top of his head.
“I couldn’t sleep all night I was too excited!”
“And why’s that?” She asked.
“Did you forget?!” He sounded shocked. “The Blackhawks are coming to the hospital today!” He bounced up and down on his bed to express his excitement.
“That’s today?” She smiled at him, excited for him. “So that’s why you wanted me to bring your jersey.” She pulled the red jersey out of her oversized purse.
“Yeah! Ali said they’ll be here around 1, as long as their practice doesn’t run late!” His grin covered his face. “Do you think they’ll take a picture with me?”
“I think I’ll kick their butt’s if they don’t.” Lily reassured him.
“I don’t think you could take Kaner.” He giggled at her.
“You sure?” Lily stood from the bed, taking the jersey and laying it flat against the table for the players to sign. “What about Toews?” She looked back at the happy boy.
“You can’t beat up the captain!” He shrieked loudly.
“Well then he better take a picture with you then.” She winked at him, laughing slightly.
“I guess if it’s for his own good, he might.”
“Have you eaten yet? We can get you food before they come. It’s noon now so Ali will probably be on her lunch so she can join us.” Lily offered.
“Promise we’ll be back in time?” He sounded so worried about missing his heroes.
“Scout’s honor, Sam.” She held her two fingers up.
“Well then, sure.” He grinned again.
“I’ll get them to page Ali.” She walked out, to the desk getting them to page Ali to come switch the IV’s so Sam could walk to the cafeteria.
Ali was a nurse at the hospital, when Sam was first diagnosed, Ali took a liking to him and always tended to his needs, naturally, Lily and Ali became particularly close. Ali was a bit of a partier outside of the hospital but always helped Lily in any way she needed.
“Sorry I took so long, who knew a 17 year old boy would vomit at the sight of his own blood.” She laughed lightly, getting to work on transferring the IV’s.
“So Sam, less than an hour and your teams going to be in your room!” She cheered for him. “Are you feeling up to walking today? Or do you want a chair?” Ali asked.
“I’ll walk!” He said a little too quickly.
“Sam, are you sure? I don’t want you to overdo it.” Lily interrupted.
“Yes, Lil, I’ll be okay.” Something inside Lily stung; he’d never actually be okay.
“Just let us know if you feel dizzy or sick okay Sam?” Ali replied; Sam stood up, adjusting his new Chicago Blackhawks PJ’s.
“And where did you get those fine pajamas?” Lily observed, staring down at the clothing.
“I might’ve brought him a little present.” Ali smiled at her, pushing his cart behind him as he walked in front of the two girls.
“You didn’t have to do that.” Lily grinned.
“I was in Target last night and I saw them and I had to!” Ali cheered.
“Thank you. I completely forgot they were coming today.”
“The hospital has been buzzing about it, patients, doctors, everyone!”
“Do you think they’ll bring the Stanley Cup?” Sam looked up at them.
“No sweetie, Stanley went home, he’ll be back out when play offs roll around.” Ali answered.
“So do you want macaroni and cheese again?” Lily massaged his shoulder as they stopped at an empty table. Sam nodded happily as he slid onto the chair, Ali securing his IV immediately.
“I’ll be back. Ali, you want the usual too?” She turned to her best friend.
“Sounds good.”
“Okay, I’ll be back in a second.” Lily walked off with her order in mind.
“So who’s jersey do you have?” Ali asked Sam.
“Toews! He’s my favorite player.” This got Sam on quite the rant about his favorite hockey player in the league. Ali was more than happy to listen; she could listen to the young boy talk about anything that made him happy because the smile that spread across his cheeks when he spoke about it was one she’d never forget.

The three of them finished their food quickly, Sam finished his faster than Lily would’ve hoped, and worried he might make himself sick. But he refused to slow down; too anxious he may miss the Hawk’s visit even when they reassured him that he had tons of time before they arrived.
“Let’s go!” Sam cheered impatiently waiting for two girls.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah you guys go.” Ali smiled, taking the tray.
“You won’t be there?” Lily stood up.
“No, duty calls, I’m in emergency today.” She responded and then turned to Sam. “Pick a fight with Kaner for me okay bud? Use that left hook.” She winked.
“Okay! C’mon Lily we’re going to miss them!!” He took hold of Lily’s hand and attempted to drag her along. She let him pull her a few feet before waving off to Ali and taking his IV with her.
“Woaaah Sam, slow down.” She held back as he picked up a little too much speed. “You don’t want to tire yourself out.” She continued.
The duo rounded the corner just in time for Sam to see the team walking down the hallway.
“It’s them!” He shouted.
“Yes it is, but they’ve got to make a few stops to the other kid’s okay dude?” She guided him in his room. Looking up briefly at the crowd of hockey players, noticing a few familiar faces that Sam had looked up to so dearly, as she browsed the crowd, she noticed Jonathan Toews doing the same in her direction, locking eyes with him momentarily before joining Sam in his room.
“Are they coming!!?” He bounced on his bed.
“Yes Sam, give it a few minutes. They’ll probably come in groups okay?” Lily took the seat that faced the table, giving Sam enough space when the players would come in.
Soon enough, a knock on the door and a couple players that Lily didn’t really recognize and a nurse entered the room.
“Is there a Sam Martin here?” One of them joked. Sam turned a few shades of red as he quietly waved to them.
“It’s okay Sam.” Lily tried to give him a bit of a confidence boost.
“Hi Sam, I’m Niklas.” A swedish accent spoke, he stretched out his hand, taking Sam’s hand in his and shaking it lightly.
“I’m Sam.” He spoke a bit louder this time.
“Sam, these are my buddies, David and Johnny.” Niklas introduced, the other two greeted him happily and started conversations with him. Sam’s eyes lit up while he talked with the players about everything and anything.
“Sam do you want a picture?” Lily politely asked in between conversations.
“Only if it’s okay!” He already sounded so grateful for the ten minutes he just had with just three players.
“Of course!” Niklas spoke up, walking towards him on one side, David and Johnny joining Sam on the other side. Lily pulled out her phones, snapping a few shots of them together.
“Thank you.” She smiled at them as they signed his jersey, one by one.
“Anything for the little guy.”
“Nice meeting you, Sam. See you around.” David waved goodbye with the rest of them while they walked out.
“I can’t believe they took a picture with me!” Sam squealed as soon as they left.
“See? They’re just normal guys; you don’t have to be quiet around them. They came to see you!” Before he could reply, there was another knock on the door. This time a couple familiar faces walked in.
This time Lily stood at the head of the bed, watching Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews walk in. Immediately she wished she could see the look on Sam’s face. But she knew it was a happy one as she could see Patrick mimicking his face. She quietly laughed and glanced at Jonathan Toews.
“I’m Patrick.” He stuck his hand out like Niklas had done.
“I’m Sam!” You could hear the happiness in his voice.
“Nice to meet you Sam, I’m Jon.”
“I know!” Sam responded immediately and then blushed slightly.
Patrick and Jonathan both laughed at his response.
“Those are some pretty awesome pajamas you’ve got.” Patrick replied. Lily watched the interaction like it was magical, but she couldn’t keep herself from glancing at Jonathan whenever she got the chance. She never really noticed his good looks before. On about the 4th glance, she caught him staring at her. They held each other’s eyes for a moment or two while Patrick and Sam talked about the attire he had on.
“So are you a big Hawks fan?” Jon kneeled next to his bed.
“Like the biggest! I watched you win the cup last year too! It was so cool! And now every time I play hockey on my PlayStation I’m the Blackhawks! I’ve won the cup a few times but I don’t think it’s anything like winning it in person. Is the it heavy?”
“Good team pick, but you don’t really notice the weight of it when you’re in the moment.” Jon happily replied.
“I want to watch you guys win it again this year.” Sam said it as if it was more of a fact rather than a possibility.
“Maybe you can come watch a game.” Jon offered. Lily almost felt the need to shoot down the idea before Sam got excited over it, truth is, she didn’t know if he was healthy enough to make it to a game.
“Really!?” Sam jumped excitedly. “Lily could we?!” He turned around immediately looking for approval. Patrick and Jon also both looked.
“We’ll have to see, okay?” She smiled slightly. Jon couldn’t help but notice how pretty her smile was. She looked at Jon briefly as he admired her, adding fuel to the little eye contact game they seemed to have been playing.
The three of them continued talking, Sam showed them his NHL game on his PlayStation which Lily was sure that both the guys had seen and played numerous times but she appreciated that they both still acted fascinated by it.
“So my sister says you have to take a picture with me, or else she’ll personally kick both your butts.” He glowed.
“Is that so?” Patrick laughed at the comment.
“It’s okay Patrick, I said that she wouldn’t be able to beat you and she couldn’t touch the captain.” Sam tried to reassure them both.
“Hmm, I don’t think I like how much I’m underestimated here.” Lily chimed in. “I do have a wicked left arm.”
“I don’t know, Sam, she seems pretty strong, I don’t know if I want to try and take her on.” Jon joked with the boy.
“You’ll just have to take a picture then!” He bargained with the hockey players, although it wasn’t much of a bargain as they both agreed easily to it.
“Say Blackhawks.” Lily cheered as she took the photos.
Sam had the biggest smile on his face that Lily had ever seen him make. She bit back some tears, seeing him this happy was the most bittersweet feeling in the world. The two then signed his jersey and continued talking to him about everything hockey. Lily was a bit shocked at all the knowledge he had about the sport.
When the nurse came to collect them, the two hugged Sam goodbye and promised tickets to a game when he was able to make it, he couldn’t be happier.
“Nice meeting you Lily.” Jon awkwardly reached out and shook her hand.
“You too.” She smiled back at him, making him feel a lot more at ease about his subtle gesture.
“Maybe I’ll see you both at a hockey game soon?” He smiled back.
“Maybe.” Lily pulled her hand back and slid it into her jean pocket.

Notes

Hope you enjoy the first chapter!!

Please comment/rate/subsrcibe if you like it :)

Thanks!