Boone by Sawyer Bennett

Author:Sawyer Bennett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: Big Dog Books, LLC
Published: 2023-12-18T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 18

Lilly

This birthday party for Aiden is more than I could’ve hoped for. It’s far more than I could’ve ever accomplished on my own. I thought I was ahead of the game by ordering enough cake to feed a small army, which is the number of kids Aiden invited from the oncology ward and his school, plus their parents.

Someone decorated the courtyard in Titans colors—balloons and streamers everywhere—and there’s a huge inflatable hockey puck in the middle with none other than Coen Highsmith’s number on it.

A magician in one corner elicits gasps and giggles with his tricks, a clown twists balloon animals, and a face painter doodles colorful butterflies and hockey pucks on everyone’s foreheads which is the only visible part above the masks.

The highlight though, and when I knew all of Aiden’s dreams were coming true was when we walked into the courtyard and saw the tabletop hockey game. Aiden let out a whoop and beelined there, only to find out that the gift was his to take home. But for the party, some of the Titans players were going to run a single-elimination tournament for the kids. I have no idea where we will even fit that hockey table, but I’m thinking the dining table in our apartment might need to go.

It’s so overwhelming but in a good way. Boone said a few of his teammates would come but I see way more than a few. Of course, it’s hard to tell who’s who, given that Aiden’s doctors insisted everyone wear gowns and masks to be on the safe side. While Aiden’s blood cells are finally starting a slow climb, they are still in no way good enough to fully protect his body.

For the moment, I’m busy filling paper cups with lemonade and setting them out on the table. I’m not sure if it was Boone or someone else who organized it, but multiple tables have been set up, filled with all kinds of food. Slider sandwiches, chips, candy, vegetable trays and fruit. I see my sheet cake in the center, my one major contribution to the day.

It would be easy to feel bad about how pitifully I performed in putting on a party for my brother. But I simply can’t be anything but happy when I see how much fun Aiden is having. He flits around like a social butterfly, laughing and joking with all the friends he’s met in the hospital and reconnecting with friends from school.

There’s even a table set up with bright purple canvas bags with the Titans’ logo. Boone told me there was one for every child in attendance, each stuffed with toys, candy and Titans gear.

Truly remarkable. I know Aiden will never forget this day.

As I continue to hand out lemonade and chat with people who stop by the table, I make sure to keep partial attention on Aiden. He’s been getting stronger each day and had no problems walking down here, but the party’s been going on for close to an hour now and I know he’s got to be getting tired.

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