Page 8 of Dreams and Desires

Dad folds the paper slowly. “You left in a storm when you left this place. People remember what you did. It can’t just be forgotten.”

The words just make my blood boil. “Storms end, Dad. People move on.”

“Not everyone,” he groans.

Jacob squeezes my hand under the table. I know arguing with dad will only lead to a big fight and I gotta be out of here before mom returns and joins the front with Dad. So, I clear my throat. “Fine. We will call a ride-share. Happy?”

Dad raises the paper again, which means end of scene.

We finish oatmeal in silence, shove Jacob’s sketchbook, some snacks, and an emergency hoodie into a canvas tote, then step outside. A dented blue Prius is waiting at the curb. The driver looks like a college kid wearing wireless earbuds, drumming on the steering wheel. When he catches our approach, he waves.

I wave back at him because, well… strangers are easy.

Ten minutes later, wearrive at the hospital. I pay the driver and help Jacob out of the car. It breaks my heart, feeling the bones in his hand. He’s lost so much weight. My brother used to be strong. He was even on the cheerleading squad—but now... it’s like Lupus has sucked the life out of him.

He catches me looking at him and rolls his eyes. “Stop with the pity glances, Juniper.”

I quickly slap on a smile, holding back the tears that want to pour out. “Pity you? No way. I wish I had a figure like yours so I could wear anything I want to.”

It’s supposed to be a joke. I don’t find it funny. But Jacob laughs anyway.

Inside the hospital, the receptionist greets us with a smile. She probably recognizes Jacob, and thank God she doesn’t know me. Maybe she’s new in town. Cody is the kind of place where people know people, and I’m not ready to be known again.

We make our way to the waiting area. The chairs are plastic, stiff, arranged in rows like we're waiting for judgment. Jacob lowers himself slowly into one, cautious with every movement.

“I hate this place,” he mutters. “Everything about it screams sickness.”

“Duh, it’s a hospital,” I say, sitting down beside him and wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “It’s where you need to be. And I’ll be here the whole time.”

He nods, leaning into me slightly. “Thanks, Juniper. I really wanted you here with me.”

A short while later, we'reguided toward the ward and seated again in another waiting area. Jacob settles next to me, and abruptly something in his posture shifts. His back straightens, and his expression sharpens.

He nudges me with his elbow and tilts his head toward a woman standing nearby, her back to us. “That’s my doctor,” he whispers.

Jacob’s doctor is reviewing charts, but when she turns around, my heart skips a beat. It’s Dominique. My best friend from high school. The one person who stood by me through everything until she didn’t. She looks up, catching my eye and for a brief second, I see something flicker across her face..longing, maybe regret. But just as quickly, it disappears behind as if she has tucked away her feelings somewhere deep.

“Dominique?” I call out in a shaky voice.

“Juniper.” She gives a curt nod and quickly returns her attention to whatever she was doing, but I notice the jitter in her hands. She's shocked to see me.

My heart sinks. I approach her, trying to bridge the gap that’s formed between us. “Dominique! God, it's been forever. You doing okay?”

She looks at me, and I can see the hardness in her eyes. “I’m busy, Juniper. This isn’t the time for a reunion.”

I blink, surprised by the harshness in her voice. “I just wanted to catch up. We were so close.”

Dominique cuts me off sharply. “Things change. People change. I have patients to attend to now.” Then she turns to Jacob, and her tone suddenly softens.“Are you ready for today’s session?”

He glances at me before forcing a smile. “As ready as I ever will be.”

“Awesome. Follow me to infusion room.” She says and starts walking, and we follow behind her.

I try to push down the hurt as I ask, “So, you’re Jacob’s doctor now?”

She answers without looking back. “I’ve been his doctor for a while. He’s in good hands.”

I open my mouth, hoping to reach out, but she cuts me off before I can say anything.

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