That isn’t at all what I expected, and it makes my heart sputter. Each emotion possible hits me all at once. Sadness for Timothy mixed with awe for Eli. He took time, and God knows how much money, to ensure this little boy has a day to remember.
I’ve been so wrong about him.
He’s nothing like I could’ve ever known. He’s everything.
Without thinking, I face him, grip his face in my hands, and kiss him. It isn’t long or passionate, it’s just all my emotions. I needed to kiss him because words wouldn’t explain what I think.
His eyes shine with adoration, and his smile almost knocks me on my ass.
“Told you it wasn’t what you thought.” He taps my nose.
Mr. Shea shows us to the area where Timothy will be coming in. He has no idea that Eli is here or what the day is. Just that he’s coming to the park. Eli made arrangements for his family and ten of his friends from the baseball team he played on before he was sick to come to the park, too.
We stand in an obscure part of the entrance so he doesn’t see Eli until it’s time. “Thank you for letting me be a part of this,” I say when we’re alone.
“You may not thank me if you’re not big on rides.” He laughs.
“I haven’t been to an amusement park since Stephanie was a kid.”
“Really?”
I nod. “She got sick when she was in her first year of college. It’s kind of hard to fit in roller coaster rides when you’re shuffling between doctor appointments and testing. Plus, sometimes, she loses control of her hands and legs.”
Eli looks away and sighs.
“You okay?” I ask.
He looks back with a sad smile. “Yeah, just thinking . . .”
“He’s here.” Mr. Shea appears before I can ask what he’s thinking about. “We’ll lead you out this way if you’re ready.”
Eli pauses to glance back at me. My own excitement spikes at the thought of how happy he’s about to make this kid.
“Go.” I smile. “I’ll be right behind you.”
He follows Mr. Shea out, and I follow. I can’t wait to see this. I’ve seen these things on television but never in person.
Timothy’s family all have big smiles as they see Eli come into view. I stay back, not wanting to miss a thing. Timothy’s back is to us and Eli moves quietly. A few kids see Eli, and their eyes get big, jaws go slack, and they point. Timothy spins his wheelchair around and covers his open mouth with his hands. The joy, surprise, and awe are bursting from this child.
Eli moves quickly and crouches in front of him. Timothy’s arms wrap around Eli’s shoulders and tears fill his eyes. He keeps shaking his head and looking back at Eli. I stand here with tears falling from my face. I think about my sister and how this family feels. The small amount of joy Eli brought them in a life filled with so much heartbreak. Knowing that Eli made this little boy’s dream come true crumbles the last defensive wall I have against this man.
Eli takes the time to hug the kids and shake everyone else’s hands. The boys jump around and snap pictures of him with Timothy.
His eyes meet mine, and I swipe my face, praying I don’t have mascara running. He motions me over, and I plaster a smile on my lips.
“Timothy, this is my friend Heather. She loves roller coasters, too.”
I squat and shake his hand. “It’s nice to meet you. Though, I have to be honest, I’m a little scared of heights,” I admit. “Do you think they’ll be too scary for me?”
He grins. “No way, that’s the best part, when you want to puke because it’s so high.”
“Good to know,” I joke.
He looks back at Eli as if he’s the coolest thing he’s ever seen. “Eli, you’re not scared, right?”
“Not a chance. I think we should try to make Heather as scared as we can. Maybe we can make her ride so many times in a row she gets sick,” he says conspiratorially.
Timothy’s eyes light up. “That would be so fun!”
Great. Now I’m going to have not only Eli but also Timothy and his friends trying to get me to puke.
“How about we go have some fun, bud? The whole park is ours so there are no lines!”
“Awesome!”
It is pretty awesome. If I were a kid, I would think this is like Christmas morning. To get an entire amusement park to myself and my closest friends would’ve been the best thing ever. He and his friends make a plan on the most efficient way to get all the rides in as the adults try to get them to focus.
Timothy’s mom, Cindi, walks over, wraps her arms around Eli, and cries while letting out a laugh. “I can’t thank you enough for this. He never could have handled a day with crowds, and you’re his idol.”
“I’m happy to do it. He seems like such a great kid.”
“He watches your show each week. He can tell you everything you’ve done to save the day.”
Eli laughs. “I used to watch cop shows with my dad as a kid.”
“He always wanted to be a police officer.” She looks wistfully at her son. “I hate that he’ll never be able to do that.”
Eli places his hand on her shoulder and squeezes. “If there’s anything I can do.”
Cindi shakes her head. “You have no idea what this will mean to him. To hang out with you and have a day where it isn’t about cancer. He can just be a kid today.”
The parallels I feel for his mother are everywhere. I know the fear, the hate, and helplessness she feels. Watching her son smile because of the man in front of me will carry her through the dark days. He has no idea that this gesture will not only mean the world to Timothy but also to all those around him.
He turns back to me, taking my hand in his. “My girlfr—” His lips press together, stopping the word. “Heather is a police officer, I’m sure Timothy will love hearing real stories from her.”
She smiles at me. “Oh, if he finds that out, you’re in big trouble.”
I laugh. “I’m happy to take him on a ride along if I can get clearance from my boss.”
Her smile is huge, and she pulls me into her arms. “Bless you both.”
“Mom!” Timothy yells, breaking the moment the three of us were sharing. “You gotta see this, Mom! Eli, are you coming?”
“I’ll be right there, dude. I just need to take care of something.”
Timothy waves, and his friends run with him in the wheelchair all screaming and laughing.
Eli turns back to me and grins. “Are you okay with this being our date today?”
“Oh my God, I’m more than okay with it. Thank you for letting me be here.”
His hand cups my cheek, and I lean into his touch. He looks over my shoulder and then back to me. “I have another surprise for today.”
“You do?”
His gaze shifts, and I follow it.
Never in a million years would I have guessed this would be the surprise.
But sure enough, my sister is coming toward me with a huge smile. Anthony pushes her in the wheelchair, and I gasp.
Stephanie holds her arms out, and I run to her. “I told you I’d see you!” She laughs.
I hug her tightly, overcome with another wash of emotion. “How?” I pull back. “How are you here?”