Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Jeff woke up the next morning to find Virginia missing. He quickly got up and walked around the hospital to look for her. He eventually ran into Michael “Are you looking for Ginny?” Michael greeted.
“Yes, you’ve seen her?” he asked anxiously.
“She’s with Freddie.” He smiled at Jeff “Their in Rm 6 of ICU. Come on, I’ll take you there.” He led the way and opened up the automatic doors. “I’ve got an operation this morning, so I’ll see you guys later.” Michael waved goodbye before leaving Jeff.
Jeff gave a quick smile as he slowly entered the room. His heard almost stopped when he saw the scene before him. Ginny was lying on the side of where Freddie lied, while his hand was placed gently on her head. He looked away, not wanting to disturb their slumber. “Breakfast time!” The nurse announced as she walked in and pulled the curtains open, letting the sunshine go through.
Virginia was startled by the sound as she popped open her eyes to see Jeff in front of her. She gave a quick smile and covered a yawn. “Freddie.” She pushed lightly at his body.
The nurse giggled “He’s a deep sleeper, you have to use more strength like this…” she shook him almost violently “Mr. Lam…Wake up!!” He immediately opened his eyes “Well, that’s more like it. Pea soup for breakfast, yum.” The nurse said as she set the tray on his bed tray.
“I thought I wasn’t on any kind of diet?” Freddie asked with a bit of disappointment.
“You’re not but, honey, you just had brain surgery. Most people don’t even eat regular food for months.” The nurse explained.
“Well, I guess I’m gonna have to find an assistant to bribe huh?” he gave Virginia a wink.
She smiled sternly “Well, let me ask Michael if you should be on any kind of diet and we’ll talk about sneaking food in for you okay?”
He smiled and nodded quickly. When he noticed that Jeff was standing in the corner of the room really quiet, he spoke up “Hey, you gonna stand there like a rock or are you gonna give me a hug?”
Jeff instantly put on a smile “I didn’t want to disturb you guys.” He said politely as he gave Freddie a quick hug. “Joanne has been waiting since yesterday to see you.”
“Oh, bring her in.” Freddie said.
“Uh uh…two people at a time.” The nurse warned as she checked his monitor tubes to see if they were still in place.
“Well, I’ve seen you longer. Let’s give some people a chance.” Virginia offered. She smiled as she reached for Freddie’s hands “I’ll see you later.”
He nodded in reply and watched her leave. A smile imprinted on his face eventhough she was long gone. “You love her don’t you?” Jeff asked straightforwardly.
The question surprised Freddie as he looked at him oddly “Why do you say that?”
Jeff smiled a he took a seat next to him “Your actions, your words. I have a feeling she feels mutual about you.”
Freddie shrugged “Maybe, but I don’t want to mistaken it for deep friendship. I must admit that I’ve never felt this way about a girl…except for my girlfriend in high school.”
“Really?” Jeff asked.
“Yeah, but that’s in the past. I want to be sure of my feelings before I make a fool out of myself.” He stopped when he noticed Jeff looked away sadly “I know you care for her a great deal too. You would probably be the perfect candidate.”
“Say no more…I don’t think she needs anymore pressure.”
“Who doesn’t need pressure?” the guys turned to the opening door where Joanne walked in. A smile so big that it surprised both of them. “Hey you…awake so early?” she asked casually.
Freddie smiled “Come give papa a hug.” He said teasingly as he brought out two arms for her. She took them eagerly as they hugged for a few seconds.
“How are you feeling?” she asked brightly.
“Never been better. You wouldn’t believe I just had brain surgery.” He pointed to his bandaged head “This thing is sooo heavy!”
“I’ll bet.” She giggled. Then Joanne noticed that Jeff was being extra quiet “Hey, why do you look so sad? Cheer up, Freddie’s okay now.”
Jeff smiled “I know. I guess I’m just tired.”
“Well, you should go home and rest. I’m sure you were tired running around looking for Ginny last night.”
Jeff nodded in reply “Yeah. I think I’ll take off. I’ll see you later, Freddie.”
Freddie smiled “Thanks buddy.” When Jeff was gone, he turned to Joanne “What do you mean that he was looking for Ginny? Wasn’t she with you guys the whole time?”
Joanne looked confused “No, I guess she never got the message cause she had patients. But he eventually found her.” Freddie nodded slowly while Joanne smiled “What? Trying to solve mysteries already? Don’t worry, I won’t argue with you. It’s no fun if I could win against a guy that has a piece of his head missing.” She laughed at her own joke.
“Better than having half a brain missing.” He quipped. “Oooh, gotcha didn’t I?” he teased.
She smiled “Well, I’m gonna go easy on you for now. Wait til you get better…its war, baby.” She nodded firmly.
************
For the next week, everyone anticipated for the day that Michael would announce what the mass in Freddie’s head was. It was Sunday morning when everyone gathered in Freddie’s hospital room in Intensive Care Unit. Even though he in stable condition, he was kept in the unit for more tests. Michael walked in looking a bit distressed. They instantly knew it wasn’t going to be good news. “Come on Michael, don’t keep everyone waiting.” Freddie spoke up when Michael was gathering his thoughts.
He took a deep breath. “At the time being, they have not confirmed what the mass is. But it’s proven to be a tumor.”
Freddie’s mother gasp “Oh dear Lord. Is it cancerous?” she asked the question no one dared to ask.
Michael shook his head and sigh of relieves were sung throughout the room “But, Yee Gor has to do radiation for the rest of his life. Like I said before, it hasn’t been determined what kind of tumor yet. I will know by the end of the day. Let me know if you need anything.” He told Freddie who nodded at him. He left the silent room.
Linda and her mom couldn’t hold the tears from coming. “Hey, hey don’t cry. At least it isn’t cancer.” Freddie said optimistically.
“Yeah. Freddie’s a strong person, he’ll fight it.” Virginia said firmly.
Freddie glanced at her and smiled thankfully “Yeah, Ginny knows me best. Come on mom, stop crying.” He placed his hand on his mother as he patted it slowly. “I’ll be fine.” He said trying to convince everyone. Don’t look at me like that guys. I’m still alive and better than ever!” he smiled showing everyone how alive and well he was.
“We’ll keep praying for you.” Deana spoke up, tears forming in her eyes too.
“Thank you.” Freddie smiled sincerely. “Now go on, I’m sure you guys haven’t eaten dinner yet.”
“I want to stay with you.” His mother said softly.
“If your gonna cry, I’d rather you go somewhere that will make you not cry.” He said warmly, hoping that she would not take it personal.
“I guess I shouldn’t stay then.” She wiped the new tears.
“Ga Jei, take care of mom for me.” Freddie whispered to his sister.
She nodded understandingly “I will.”
Slowly the crowd began to disappear, leaving Virginia and Joanne left. “Well, who’s gonna be the lucky girl and stay with me?” he asked teasingly.
Virginia glanced at Joanne, who’s eyes were avoiding hers. She knew Joanne didn’t want to leave. “I’ll go.” She offered.
Freddie smiled “Okay. I’ll see you later.” He smiled and gave her a slight wink. When Ginny left the room, he turned to Joanne “Okay, now that she’s gone. You can tell me what you’ve been wanting to tell me.”
She looked up “How did you know?”
He shrugged “Magical powers, I guess. Well, you want me to read your mind now?” he raised his eyebrows teasingly.
She shook her head “No, I’ll tell you….” She paused as she searched her mind for the right words to say “I…don’t know how to say it.” She smiled weakly.
He reached for her hands “Joanne.” He said softly, it was very seldom that anyone would call her by her whole name. It didn’t sound as bad as she imagined “We’ve known each other for a while now. We’ve gone through numerous fights and not to mention heart-to-heart talks. You can tell me anything.” He smiled.
“I..like you…” she stuttered. “I’ve liked you for a long time.” She said more bluntly.
His face fell but he continued to hold her hand in his “Well, I like you too.” He said quickly.
She tilted her head “You know what I mean.”
He looked away “Yes. Unfortunately I do.” He lied back on his pillow “I should have caught the signs.” He sighed softly “You’re a great girl, Jo…”
Tears brimming in her eyes “But you don’t like me that way. I understand.” She smiled as tears trickled down her face. She began to pull her hands away, but he had a better grasp on it as he pulled her back.
“No, I don’t think you understand. Michael said that I will be doing radiation for the rest of my life. Can you imagine what kind of burden that will be? I know you have a big heart and you probably don’t mind the fact that I will be a burden. But I care. You know when I was young, I imagined myself growing up and marrying the most wonderful wife. She would never have to work hard or worry about anything, because I was going to take care of her. Now…yeah, sure things changed and I’m a homosexual. But lately I’ve been asking myself if I really knew the meaning of homosexuality. I think it was my escape from the reality of a heartbreak. There’s absolutely nothing gay about me except for the way I act sometimes. But I do that because Virginia finds it amusing…not to mention strangers. I scare people sometimes and I think its almost like an adventure. Its strange how people stare at you because you’re different. I think its time to be myself.”
Joanne nodded slowly “You’re in love with Ginny, aren’t you ?”
Freddie looked up “Is it that obvious?”
She smiled “Yes. To a third person’s point of view. It looks like she’s the only person that doesn’t know this. I think you should tell her.” She pushed.
He shook his head slowly “I don’t have a right to love anyone. To put that kind of burden and pain on someone that I care so much about? I can’t do it, Jo. I really can’t.” he continued to shake his head.
“Well then, you are going to cause another heart break.” She looked away slowly.
“I’m sorry…” he muttered.
“Don’t be. At least you were honest. I’m just glad you found who you really were until it was too late…” she trailed off when she realized what she was saying.
Freddie didn’t seem to mind “I know. Life is strange you know? One day, you’re happy and living and healthy. The next, you’ve got someone telling you that it’s about to change forever.” He sighed “I’m gonna be honest with you Jo, I really don’t have a good feeling about this result.”
She shook her head “Don’t say that. No matter what happens, remember that you’ve got great friends that are willing to take care of you. All the way.” She nodded firmly.
He smiled “Who would have thought a misunderstanding in a bar would evolve into such a friendship?”
“I know what you mean. Life really is unpredictable.” She smiled warmly.