“Four months, right?”
“Mr. Harris, as I told you, I am—”
“You met a kid in Room 1648,” Nick interrupted. “Remember him?”
“To tell you the truth, not really. That was a long time ago.” “He was in Room 1648 and he was about ten. His name was
Chucky.”
Shelly stopped and raised her head. The boy she had met in the hall. He was one of the lucky ones, too. He went home before her.
“You see, about a week or two before you went home, Doctor, Chucky died,” Nick continued. “He never got to go home. His family mourned his loss, they picked up the pieces, buried their brother and son, and went on with their lives the best they could. But they never forgot Chucky. You remember Chucky’s doctor? I believe it was Dr. Wall who treated him.”
Shelly stood frozen in time, stunned by what he was saying. A flood of memories rushed in, especially of Kristen. Looking back was so painful. The past was full of death and sadness.
Nick began walking back to his car, but partway there he turned back and stopped.
“I got news for you, Dr. White. “There are a lot of us who have had cancer steal loved ones away, and all we can do is raise money so you can fight your war. Your private war. You want to make it personal, Doctor, because you survived, and I respect that. I intend to help you, Doctor. That’s what I came to tell you. I’m wondering, though, if you’d let anyone do anything for you. Open your eyes. Look around. There is an army of people who would do anything— anything—to stop this,” Nick said. He pointed to the playground. “It’s not just the Foundation. Let others help. Open up.”
He put his hands in the pockets of his coat. “So, I’m not here for a date. I’m here to help. Sorry to have bothered you.” He turned back around and walked away.
“Mr. Harris!” Shelly finally spoke up as he was about to get into his car. He stopped but did not turn around. “Nick! Please! How do you know Chucky?”
Nick turned his gaze back to her. Shelly stood in the same spot, unwilling to move.
“He was my brother.” He stepped into his car without looking back and drove away.