“Bill, to maintain patient confidentiality, admin asked that we set you up in the waiting area and bring out the kids that want to see you,” said Megan. “I’ll be back in a minute.”
The lobby of the Mountain States Tumor Institute was bright and inviting, with toys for kids, great fun looking chairs and lots of light. Megan had told him the facility worked closely with the Children’s Oncology Group, an affiliation that was helping kids all over the nation and in several foreign countries. MSTI was able to access and deliver the same emerging care protocols in Boise that any hospital cancer care center in the United States developed. As part of the COG’s efforts, MSTI also had its own active research projects and would be able to do even more with the money raised by Julio Chavez through his charity.
Bill picked a table and started to empty the large Dodger gear bag, filled with ball caps, baseballs, jerseys, mitts and more, along with Sharpies, so he could autograph the memorabilia.
He heard Megan’s voice and turned to see her approaching with a young girl; at least he thought the child was a girl, wearing a rainbow knit cap on her head. As the child drew closer there was no mistaking her gender; her face was smooth and clear, but her skin was snug over her cheekbones.
His heart clenched, and it was all he could do not to let his face reflect shock at seeing this young child. After talking with Megan, he knew the kids in here had the odds in their favor. In the last fifty years what used to be a death sentence now had a five-year survival rate greater than eighty percent, and in some cancers, greater than ninety percent. Eric Hall’s miraculous recovery was one example.
Her smile was beautiful and her brown eyes welcoming. She walked right up to him and stuck out her hand.
“Hi, I’m Susannah.”
“I’m Bill. Are you a fan of the Dodgers?”
“Not really, but I never met a grown-up baseball player and I wanted to. My older brother really likes baseball though, and he is going to be so jealous.”
“How old are you?”
“Nine.”
“And what activities do you like to do?”
“Everything.”
“Everything?” Bill looked up at Megan with raised eyebrows. She gave him a nod.
“Like what, Susannah?”
“I like basketball, and bicycles, and fishing, and monkey bars, and gymnastics. And I like to journal and design clothes. My aunt just gave me a sewing machine.”
“Wow! That’s a lot to things. Well, Susannah, would you like a jersey or a hat?
Susannah studiously looked over the items Bill had laid out.
“May I have one of those soft hats? Maybe it can keep my head warm until my hair grows back.”
Bill almost lost control of his emotions and had to look away for a few seconds.
“Are you alright, Bill,” Susannah asked.
“I’m fine, Susannah. Thanks for asking, and yes you can have a hat, and let’s get you a jersey as well.”
Bill autographed the jersey and a baseball and handed them over. “Maybe I can give you something to take home for your brother?”
Susannah sighed. “I guess that’s okay, even if he is kind of a pain.”
Bill laughed and signed a ball cap, a baseball, and a jersey for her brother Pete.
“Susannah, we need to head back now,” said Erin.
“Bye, Bill,” Susannah said with a wave.
Bill met Seth, and Roger, and Lizzie, and a several more kids, some who were arriving for appointments and checkups. He had more than enough Dodgers gear to hand out at least two items to everyone. Bill shook hands with parents and noticed his time was running out fast.
Three of the nurses also accepted ball caps after he offered them, while taking a good look at the guy that Megan was dating.
“I could do this every day, Megan.”
“All of us loved it! Thank you!”
“Do you want to go back to your place and change?” asked Bill.
“No need. I brought some jeans and a blouse. Just give me a few minutes and I’ll be right back.”
While waiting, Bill autographed everything left over and handed it all to the man and woman manning the front counter. “Please give these to anyone that would like them.”
“That would be our pleasure, Bill. Thank you!”
It struck him as he waited, that each of the nurses had been gentle and patient and had an aura of kind competence. There was not a doubt in his head that they took their responsibilities toward these kids seriously in an understated way.
Megan came out carrying a backpack and her coat. “Okay, I’m ready.”
“Where would you like to eat?” asked Bill.
“Where’s your sidekick?” countered Megan.
“Jake’s in McCall. He and Kai are skiing and having dinner tonight, and when he gets back tomorrow afternoon we fly back to LA.”
Megan studied Bill’s face with smile on her own, rose up on her toes and gave him a kiss. “Why don’t we go back to your place and order a pizza? I think I want to stay in and watch a movie if that’s okay.”
“Sounds like a plan.”