“Eric, I have a surprise for you,” said Megan. “Would you close your eyes for a few seconds?”
“Yes!” he said and clapped his hands over his eyes. “I like surprises!”
Julio followed Bill, who was in a wheelchair, into the room. Megan had spoken with Caroline and introduced her to the two men.
“Okay, Eric. You can open your eyes.”
“Wow…oh, wow! Oh man! This is so cool!” remarked Eric when he saw Bill and Julio.
“You’re my favorite player of all time, Mr. Sullivan.”
Bill chuckled. “That’s good to hear, Eric, and you can call me Bill.”
“Okay, Bill. I have your jersey!
“Oh Wow! Mom-”
Eric was grinning and he started to stand up in his bed. The adults instinctively moved closer. Eric wanted to jump on Bill, then stopped.
“Why are you in a wheelchair, Bill?”
Caroline’s mouth formed an O. Chavez raised his eyebrows.
“I had a bit of an accident, Eric. The hospital is making me ride in this chair.”
Eric shrugged and squinted at Julio, then realized he was wearing a Cubs jacket.
“I know you. I was watching that game. You are Mr. Chavez, and you were kind of mean to Bill.”
Julio laughed. “Maybe I was. I am sorry if you thought I was mean, Eric. We sometimes get pretty competitive during a game.”
Eric thoughtfully studied Julio, then started smiling.
“That’s okay. I didn’t get to see the rest of the game. I had to go to the hospital for some tests.”
“Megan told us that you are going to have surgery, and asked us to visit you,” said Bill.
Eric studied first Bill and then Julio, his expression serious.
“I want to be a baseball player,” said Eric. “Now I need brain surgery, and I’m not sure what is going to happen to me.”
Caroline eased out of the room, with her hand over her mouth, followed by Megan.
Julio spoke up. “I met your doctor, Eric, when I was visiting some of the other children, and I think he is a really good doctor. I think you are going to be just fine,” said Julio, who then looked over at Bill.
“I hope so. I want to hit some home runs,” stated Eric.
“Well, Eric, I have hit a few home runs, and it does feel great!” said Julio. “Can I give you something really special?”
“I think so.” Eric’s eyes were wide open.
Julio pulled a baseball from one pocket in his jacket, and a Sharpie marker from the other.
“Bill, I saw the ball bag and grabbed one. I hope that’s okay,” he said, then signed the ball and handed it to Bill, who quickly did the same and handed it back to Julio.
“You must be careful with this, Eric. It’s pretty valuable with the signature of your favorite player on it…and my signature too,” said Julio, handing the ball to the beaming boy. Eric’s grin stretched from ear to ear, he and jumped on Julio for a hug.
“Thank you. Oh wow! Thanks!”
Julio put Eric back on the bed.
Eric was studying the ball and turning it over and over. “I like you too. Can we be friends?”
“Absolutely, Eric. I would like that very much,” responded Julio.
Caroline and Megan had come back in the room and were listening quietly.
“I think you should get Bill to take you to a ball game sometime,” said Julio, smiling as he looked over at Bill.
Bill shot Julio a look of surprise, then looked back to Eric. “I would like that. Maybe after your surgery your parents and I can work something out. Maybe Julio can take you to another game.”
“Yay! Is that okay, Mom?”
“Of course,” she said, eyes wet with tears, seeing the joy and anticipation on her son’s face.
Megan noticed that Eric was wearing down, and Bill’s face was strained.
“Thank you, Bill and Julio. It looks like Bill and Eric need some rest. It has been a long day.”