Chapter 25
(Howie's point-of-view)
"Hey, AJ," I greeted looking up from my clipboard as I entered his room.
He lifted his head. "What's with the board? You my doc now, D?"
I laughed. "Nah. Just some information I got."
"About what?" he asked gently pushing himself up.
"Lupus."
He sent me a confused look.
"I'm starting a foundation in my sister's honor. To raise money for the cause and in her memory. That way she'll never truly be gone."
"That's great of you, D. You need any help?"
I looked at his frail form. "Not from you, right now anyway. You start feeling better and we'll talk."
"Aw...I'm okay."
I spoke sarcastically. "Yeah, that's why you're cooped up in Canada, buddy."
"Ha, ha." He glanced at my papers. "What kind of info 'ya got?"
"Business information. John and Angie are going to handle the business aspect for me mainly. And Polly said she would take care of advertisement."
"How were you thinking about getting money?"
"Concerts, auctions...stuff like that."
"What kind of concerts?"
"Just fun stuff. Make it worth the donations. And finding performers would be simple..My family is full of them. Pollyanna, my neice Chelsea.."
"Awww....I like Pollyanna and Chelsea."
I sighed shaking my head. "I know you do. That's why I'm shipping them to England to be safe from your wandering eyes."
"Humph, some friend you are. Take away a sick man's viewing pleasures."
I set down. "Actually, I haven't been a great friend lately."
"D, what you talking about? I was only jokin'."
"I mean my drinking spell. I'm sorry, J. I didn't mean to scare you."
"S'okay."
I frowned remembered my immature actions. "It was anything but okay."
"Well, all's forgiven. Don't sweat it."
I patted his shoulder. "How you feeling?"
He sighed rubbing his stomach. "Could be better. Though, I really think I'd feel better if they'd stop the tests."
"I'm sorry, kid."
"Not your fault." He quickly changed the subject. "Have you talked to your mom?"
I smiled. "Yeah, I called her. And we talked a long time. She isn't dealing too well, but she said she felt better hearing my voice. I was glad to have helped a little bit. It's gonna' take a long time for anything to seem normal again in my family. But luckily, we're a big family-plenty of people to help pick you up when you fall."
AJ sighed. "It doesn't matter how big a family is, Howie, sometimes all you need is one person to catch you."
"Good point, J."
He looked at me. "You're really into this foundation, aren't you?"
I nodded. "Yeah. If I could help just one family not go through what we felt-" I paused tears trying to escape from my grasp,"it would all be worth it."
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