Two.

Really long post, please comment : )

Sidenote: The timeline of this story is January 2008.

I volunteer at the Children’s Hospital, Oncology wing once a week. Actually, sometimes its more than that. But I am always there atleast once a week. I know a lot of the nurses and doctors, because many are the same people I associated with and cared for me just three short years ago. I also know some of the families. Some of them are the same families that were there when I was getting treatments. Most are new families, but its never a good day when an old family makes an appearance. When that happens, it means someone had a relapse. And today, today was that day.

“Hey, Mollie.” I said when I walked into the Oncology wing. She was a nurse on the floor that I came to know very well because she was there when I was receiving treatment.

“Hi, Grace. Jenna is back.” Mollie said.

“Jenna Cummings?” I asked.

“Yeah..” She said. Jenna Cummings was a 12 year old when I was here. She had Leukemia, the same actually as Liam. She is now obviously 15.

“Is it bad?” I said.

“They don’t know yet.” She said. “I’m sure they would love to see you, though.”

“Yeah, I will definitely go see them. I hate when that happens.” I said.

“We have been lucky enough it hasn’t happened that often.” She said.

“I know.. I wish Liam was here today with me, though.” I said. Everything was easier when Liam was by my side. Some days we volunteer the same time. I am more devoted to it, than he is. But he still tries.

“You two are something else. You are as close as you were the day you left this hospital.” She said laughing.

“I think we might be closer.” I said smiling and walking towards the family room. An Oncology wing is a part of the hospital that is different than any other floor. There are families there a lot, there is a games room for the kids. Its more of a family atmosphere, because it has to be. These families go through hell, but it helps to know other families are going through that same hell.

“Hey, Grace.” She called to me, and I looked back.

“We have some visitors today.” She said and I just looked at her. Then I walked back to figure out what she was talking about.

“What?” I asked a little confused. What visitors, I was thinking to myself.

“The Penguins are stopping by like they do every year.” She said.

“Oh, should I leave?” I asked confused on why she was telling me this.

“Oh, no. I was just telling you so you wouldn’t be taken by surprise.” She said.

“Oh okay. Liam is going to be mad.” I said laughing.

“I know, you would think he would have gotten over that crush by now.” She said laughing with me.

“Yeah, you know Liam though.” I said and started walking back towards the family room.

“Hi, Grace.” A little boy named Ryan said to me when I walked into the room. He was 8, he had brain cancer.

“Hey, Ryan! I haven’t seen you for awhile!” I said smiling.

When the Penguins came, I tried to stay away from them. I didn’t need to see them. I actually didn’t really want to see them. They were nothing to me. I mean they were something to me, I was a casual fan. If I ran into one of the players, I would probably know who they were. Liam was more of a fan, than I was. I was more into the Steelers, I had to admit. When I heard that the Penguins were in the building and making their way up to the wing, I went to the games room. I was hoping that I could avoid them the whole time. I started playing pool with Josh, a 15 year old patient. We were in the middle of the game, when a few of the players walked in. I just stepped back.

“You can play with Josh.” I said to one of them, not really sure which one.

“Are you sure?” The boy asked me.

“Yeah, I’ll see you later, Josh.” I said to him and walked to a different part of the room to start playing with one of the other kids. Most of the penguins were in the room now, so I retreated towards Ryan’s parents.

“This is kind of overwhelming.” I said to them.

“Its really nice that they do it, though.” She said to me.

“It is really kind of them.” I said.

“Did they come when you were here?” She asked me. It was weird her bringing it up. I am sure most of the parents and kids knew, but no one really talked about it much. I mean, I talked about it to people, but no one really brought it up unless I brought it up.

“I don’t think so. Atleast I wasn’t around if they did.” I said. After that little conversation, I kind of just stood in the corner. Then, one of the players came over to me.

“Hi, I’m Sidney Crosby. Are you a family member?” He asked.

“Hi, I kind of could tell who you are. Its nice that you all wear your jerseys. I’m a volunteer.” I said showing him my ID.

“Oh, I’m sorry..” He said and then looked at my ID. “I’m sorry, Grace.” He said kind of shy.

“Its okay. You make them really happy when you come. Even before you all entered, there was a buzz around the room. It gives them a reason to smile.” I said smiling.

“It’s the least we could do.” He said.

“Yeah, it is.” I said not really thinking about what I was saying.

“Well, it was nice to meet you, Grace.” He said.

“You too.” I said and then he walked away. I told Mollie about what happened after they left.

“You told him it was the least they could do?” Mollie said in shock.

“I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.” I said.

“Really? Cause I’m pretty sure you did.” She said laughing.

“Mollie! You know, its just these kids.. I mean those players could never understand how it is. I mean to make a child smile all they have to do is walk into the room, I don’t think they should take that for granted.” I said.

“Grace, you don’t know that they do.” She said.

“Good point. I can’t wait to tell Liam this story, he will make fun of me for forever.” I said rolling my eyes.

“Don’t tell him.” Mollie simply said.

“Are you serious? I tell Liam everything, good or bad.” I said.

“I still don’t get why you are just friends.” She said.

“You know why, Mollie. I think most people in this hospital know why. I’ll see you next week, probably.” I said and left.

“Liam!” I yelled walking into our apartment. It was a nice apartment. Most freshmen at Pittsburgh live on campus, but we had special circumstances. It isn’t good for people that have weak immune systems to be with large groups of people. So obviously, when Liam and I made that pact when we were still in the hospital to go to college at Pitt together, our parents obviously said we had to live together. I think everyone probably thought we would still be dating, which would have made things kind of awkward, but we aren’t dating. Liam’s friend, Ben, from high school lives with us. He actually goes to Duquesne, not Pitt. Rose, my friend from high school, lives with us as well. She actually does go to Pitt. We have a nice apartment because my parents wanted to have a nice place to live while we were all going through hell. It all worked out for the best.

“What?” He asked walking into the room.

“You picked the wrong day not to go into the hospital!” I said smiling.

“Why? What happened?” He asked.

“Your love was there.” I said laughing.

“Did you talk to him?”

“No. I talked to Sidney Crosby.” I started to say.

“Are you kidding?”

“No, not kidding.. didn’t talk to Brooks.” I said laughing.

“I don’t get why its so funny.”

“Because you have such a man crush on him! It kind of is weird!” I said.

“Oh shut up!” He said and left the room.

The next few months was pretty standard. Go to class, go to the hospital and volunteer. No run ins with the Penguins, no nothing. We did watch a game or two. Well, I should probably rephrase that. I watched a game or two, Ben and Liam watched every game! When we got a call from Erin at Make-a-Wish, Liam almost had a heart attack. Liam and I are a part of Make-A-Wish. We go to some events and what not, and we had a joint wish granted. We went on a trip to Ireland together the summer before Senior year. We became close with the Make-a-Wish people because they thought it was weird that we wanted a joint wish. It just made the most sense, me and Liam, together. We were inseperable. It was like me and Liam was everyone’s favorite couple. Well, I guess we were their favorite couple, but we broke up right before we got back to Pittsburgh. Bad timing, yes. But again, a big believer in fate.

Erin, a Make-a-Wish worker, is actually Brooks Orpik’s girlfriend. Yeah, you can imagine how jealous Liam is. We knew Erin before we knew they were together, and Liam’s love had already bloomed. It was rather funny because Erin knew it. Anyways, she called and the rest is history.

“Who was that?” Ben asked when I hung up my phone.

“Erin.” I said.

“What did she want?” Liam asked.

“I guess there is an afternoon game on Saturday..” I started to say.

“Uhh yeah! Sidney is back and its going to be a huge game. I’m already calling a win.” Ben said.

“Okay, that’s great to hear Ben.” I said like whatever.

“So..” Liam said.

“Well, I guess Sidney gives his box to a charity at every game. This game is Make-a-Wish. Its no one’s wish, they are just getting a few people to go. She knows your love affair with her boyfriend and wanted to know if me and you wanted to go.” I explained.

“Are you serious?”

“I guess everyone at the foundation still has a love affair with us.” I said laughing.

“Did you tell her we would go?” He asked me.

“Yeah, obviously I didn’t want you to kill me.” I said.

“First of all, I wouldn’t. Second, THANK YOU! Third, do we get to meet them?” Liam asked.

“I don’t know. Erin said to call her when we get there Saturday. I would think you could meet Brooks since Erin knows you love him so much.” I said.

“That was so embarrassing when you told her that.” He said getting that look in his face.

“It was going to come out eventually!” I said looking shocked.

“Stop doing what you two do!” Rose said.

“Finally, its Saturday.” Liam said on Saturday morning.

“I’m kind of scared what you will do if you are in the same room with Brooks.” I said giving him a look.

“Don’t be embarrassing, Grace.” He said being so serious.

“Lighten up!” I said laughing.

When we got there, I called Erin. She told me where to meet her. I guess we would be sitting with the kids in the box and then after the game, we could go to the locker room. I thought Liam would pee his pants, like legit.

“He is so excited.” I told Erin while we were following her to the lockerroom.

“That’s so weird.” She said looking at Liam.

“I’m glad I am amusing you both!” He said getting defensive.

“Have you guys ever met them before?” Erin asked both of us.

“I was at the hospital in January when they came. I talked to Sidney a little and to Eric Godard, I think his name was.” I said trying to remember who exactly I talked too.

“I don’t really remember all their names.” I said.

“So I guess you aren’t phased by them.” She said.

“No, she told Sidney that it was the least he could do was coming to the hospital.” Liam blurted out. Erin just looked at me and laughed.

“Okay, it didn’t come out right!” I said trying to defend myself.

“I’m sure it did.” She said laughing. Then we were in this room with a lot of family members it looked like.

“They will probably be awhile, just take a seat. Try not to pee, Liam.” Erin said.

She introduced to us to a lot of the guys when they came out. I didn’t really care too much. I kind of just went back and sat down and watched Liam look like a little boy in a candy store. Just watching him made me smile. When Brooks came out, oh my gosh. It was so funny. When he came out, Erin called me over.

“Brooks.. this is Liam and Grace.” She said.

“Oh yeah, she talks about you two. Apparently a love connection was made.” He said laughing.

“Made and then broken.” I said laughing.

“Oh, stop!” Erin said. I let Liam and Brooks talk. All I could think about was, I hope Brooks doesn’t tell everyone that we had cancer. I hope Erin doesn’t either, but I don’t think Erin would. Brooks on the other hand, I wasn’t too sure about. I was thinking about all of this while I was sitting on the couch. I didn’t even hear a man come near me.

“Hey, you were at the hospital that one day, right?” A man asked me.

“Yeah?” I said looking up not really understanding who would have noticed me. When I looked up I realized who he was.

“Volunteer right?” He asked.

“Yeah, Sidney.” I said. He looked surprised that I remember his name.

“Don’t look so surprised that I knew your name. It is kind of hard to forget someone who is plastered all over the city.” I said blatantly.

“Well, Grace.” He said.

“Impressive that you remember my name since I am most certainly not plastered anywhere.” I said still watching Liam.

“Who are you watching?” He asked.

“Liam.. he is talking to Brooks. He has this big infatuation with him, its weird.” I said laughing.

“Did you see that?” Erin asked coming over.

“Yeah, you better not let him steal your boyfriend.” I said to her. She then went to Brooks.

“You know Erin?” He asked me.

“Yeah, did you think we snuck down here?” I asked.

“I wasn’t too sure.” He said laughing.

“Yeah, we know Erin.” I said. You could see in his eyes and he was trying to figure out how we knew eachother. Erin was obviously older than me and Liam, so it probably wasn’t all adding up to him.

“Hey, Grace. We were going to go get lunch/dinner. You and Liam should come, we can make fun of Liam together then.” Erin said.

“You should come Sidney. I think Max and Jordan are coming.” She said.

“Liam would kill me if I said no, so I’m going to say yes.” I said.

“Yeah.. I’ll come.” Sidney said after I said I was going.

“Liam and I took a bus here, so we don’t have a ride.” I said.

“You can come with me.” Sidney said. “Let Liam ride with Brooks.” He said.

“Liam should not ride with Brooks. He will seem like a stalker.” I said.

“Yeah, I agree. I’ll go talk to Liam.” Erin said.

“So are you and Liam together?” Sidney asked.

“Random question from a stranger..” I said.

“Technically, I’m not a stranger because we have met before. And we have been talking for like ten minutes..” He said.

“True, since you were so quick with that come back I will give you an answer. We are best friends, but not dating. Erin will tell you otherwise, but she is just hoping.” I said laughing.

“So are you ready to go?” He asked.

“Actually, I should probably ride with Erin to calm Liam down. Plus, I need some time to bag on him about this all. I’ll see you there, though.” I said.

“Yeah, sounds good.” He said. Then we all left and parted our ways.