• • • • •
I forgot the dog carrier, which seemed to work in keeping nurses off my back last time. So I pick up Tickles and tuck him under my arm and quickly trot down the hall to Geoffrey’s room. When I enter, I see that it’s empty. I don’t see any of Geoffrey’s belongings. My chest constricts.
I turn around and head back into the hall.
I look into other rooms to see if he’s just been moved. I get to the nurse’s station. A nurse looks busy and I don’t want to interrupt, but I clear my throat. “Excuse me? Where is Geoffrey Smazinski?” My heart is beating a million miles a minute.
When the nurse turns around she frowns. “Haven’t I told you no dogs before, young man? I will ban you from this hospital if I see that dog here one more time.”
My face flushes red. “Yes, sorry.”
She turns, picks up a blue folder, opens it, and says to the wall, “He’s being taken home.”
“What?” I ask excitedly. I look down at Tickles and bounce him. “Did you hear that? He’s going home! Isn’t that great?”
Tickles barks and squirms.
“No dogs,” says the nurse as she glares at me.
I run out of the hospital. I can’t get to Geoffrey’s quickly enough.
* * *
On the way to Geoffrey’s my phone vibrates.
Seth.
I can’t continue to ignore my best friend. So I answer. “You won’t believe the day I’ve had.”
Seth sounds like he’s been crying. “Charlie? Do you hate me?”
I stop walking in the middle of the sidewalk. “What? No. Why would I hate you?”
He sniffs. “That’s what I was wondering. But last night . . . and you’ve been ignoring me.”
I dig my foot into the cement. “Yeah. Sorry. I guess I was just upset last night. I don’t know what got into me.”
“So we’re good, then?”
I hesitate briefly. “Yes. We’re good.”
I know it doesn’t sound possible, but I hear him smile. That makes me smile. “Want to hang out tonight?” he asks.
I nod. Then I realize he can’t see me, and say, “Yes. I’d love to.”
“Just us. You and me. And no other jerks.”
I laugh. “No other jerks.”
* * *
It feels like a weight is lifted from my shoulders, and relief washes over me when I see Geoffrey on the green couch again. It’s like the world has corrected itself.
Tickles, I think, is relieved too. But he runs his little butt to the kitchen to eat some food and drink some water.
“Charlie!” Geoffrey says upon seeing me enter his house. “How are ya?”
“I should be asking you that.” He actually looks a little thinner. Whether that was a side effect of the infection, I don’t know.
“Oh, I’m great. Haven’t felt better.”
I’m pretty sure that’s a lie. I’m sure there was a time when he felt better, when he wasn’t so heavy, but I don’t say anything.
“Thanks for taking care of Tickles.”
“I’m actually a little sad to lose him. He makes for good company.” I hear Tickles chomping on the food in the kitchen.
“Well, I’m sure he’s sad to be back to this stinky old place.” Geoffrey smiles. Then he looks down and then back up at me. “Yes, sir,” he says, with a strong commitment in his voice. “I’m going to turn my life around. More exercise. Healthier food. The hospital visit was a wake-up call for me.”
“That’s great news.” I’m excited for Geoffrey. Maybe someday he can go on walks with me and Tickles.