Page 52 of The Transfer
I smile as the elevator doors open. “Come on, Sunshine. Let’s go grab that coffee.”
Walking backtoward my dad’s room, Reagan stops and stands in front of me. “I’m going to check in with my family. I only texted them that I was coming here, and they’ve been blowing up my phone. Yougo in and see your dad. I’ll be right here when you’re ready for me to come in.”
I nod. “Thank you for being here.” She gives me a devastating smile before I gently open the door to my dad’s room.
Walking in, I give Mom a coffee and take the other seat next to Dad’s bed. I look at my mom, eyes pleading with her to say something so that I don’t have to ask what the doctor said.
Thankfully, she sees it and begins to talk, voice a little unsteady. “Your dad is going to stay in the hospital for a little while. He needs more than we can do at home right now. I know it isn’t ideal with Christmas coming. But we can all be together the whole day.”
I take a deep breath as I search her eyes for more. I know she’s holding back something, but I take it in. Christmas at the hospital is the last thing I wanted for my dad. But selfishly, knowing he will be with us is enough right now.
THIRTY-SEVEN
REAGAN
Every December, I spend an entire day with my mom baking cookies and watching Hallmark Christmas movies. We end up eating more dough than making actual cookies, but it is one of my favorite traditions. The mood is somber compared to other years, as the worry over Joel and Riggs is heavy on my mind.
The kitchen is a disaster, and when I look over at my mom, I start to laugh. Flour and frosting cover her apron, face, and hair. I’m sure I don’t look much better. Grabbing my phone, I pull her to me and snap a selfie.
“Hey, Mom, I really want to do something to brighten the Hart’s Christmas.”
“Honey, I think that’s a great idea. What do you have in mind?”
By the time I finish explaining things to my mom, she’s making a list of what we’ll need to grab this week.
Coming into the kitchen, Jordan sees me and wraps me in a hug that only my twin knows I need. I finally let go of the emotion I have been holding in and allow my tears to flow.
“It’s okay. I got you.” He rubs my back, and after a few minutes, I pull back with a nod and a sad smile on my face.
“I’m so sorry, angel. What can we do?” My sweet dad will do anything to help. That is just the generous man he is.
“I want to decorate Mr. Hart’s hospital room since he will have to spend Christmas there. I thought we could bring in food and maybe do a small Christmas celebration together. Try to lift their spirits without overwhelming them with people.” My hope is that giving them a special memory will help ease the pain. He isn’t going to make it much longer, and every minute counts.
“My sweet girl, you make me so proud.” I grab my mom, and soon all four of us are in a giant family blob of hugs, tears, and laughing. Nothing makes you realize how precious life is than the reality of losing someone you love. And these three people right here, well, I love them more than anything.
A few days later,instead of our normal lazy Saturday, the four of us get to work gathering all the decorating supplies we will need. I haven’t told Riggs or his parents about our plan, hoping it can be a surprise.
My family and I are squeezed into my mom’s SUV, which looks like Hobby Lobby threw up inside it. As we pull into the hospital parking lot, a few nurses are waiting for us with carts to load supplies on. My parents, Jordan, and I get to work and get it all unloaded and ready to go up to Joel’s room.
As we start to walk into the hospital, my brother pulls me aside. He has a concerned look on his face, and I know he’s worried about me.
“Rea, I want to check on you. This is a lot for anyone, but being there for Riggs must be taking a toll on you, too. Give me your truth.”
Tears that I can’t seem to stop flood my eyes as I turn toward my brother. “Thank you for always caring about me. This is like nothing I have everdealt with. I haven’t been through anything close to this, but what I can tell you is that I will do anything and everything to ease his burden and heal his pain. Knowing you are watching out for me means the world, J.”
“You really care about him, don’t you?” My brother gives me a genuine smile.
My twin is perceptive, as always. “Yeah, I care about him.”
“Maybe it’s time you told him,” he says with a knowing look.
“I’ve tried, but it just doesn’t ever feel like the right time. He’s going through so much right now, and his focus needs to be on his family and basketball. Not me.” I sound like a coward, but my brother just nods.
“Maybe that’s true. But maybe hearing you say that will give him something and someone to hold on to while he grieves. Be brave, little sister.”
“I’m three minutes older than you, baby brother.” I give him the response he expects, and I know what’s coming next.
“Yeah, well, I’m a foot taller.” We both laugh at that. The twin banter feels good. A slice of normal amid the chaos and sadness.
