The Moments When We Smile, and Those Between

Sammy ran a hand through her hair as she hurried toward the room number her mother had given her when she called earlier that day. Jordan's T cells had been steadily dropping at an alarming rate in recent weeks, but now they's suddenly plummeted to almost nothing. Sammy hurried over when she saw her mother. "How is he?" she asked softly. Melissa shook her head. "I don't think he's said an English word in.....gahh four hours," said Melissa. Sammy nodded. "Adam and the boys will be here soon, I'll go see if I can settle him down." She peeked her head into the room. "Jordan?"

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Monte leaned his head on the window as his father drove. He remembered hearing much of the conversation between his father and his new mother. He remembered hearing her sound like she was crying, and saying something about his uncle, her younger brother, and then a bunch of medical stuff he didn't understand. "Daddy?" Monte asked after a long period of driving in silence. "What's wrong with uncle Jordan?"

Jordan thinking it was another nurse coming to bug him started. "Lasciami in pace .... Oh ciao Sammy.(Leave me alone.... Oh hi Sammy)" He finished softly.

Stevie walked into the hospital, the last time he had been in one was for a neck surjury but he had to be there for Sammy and the others.

Adam jumped slightly at the sudden question, having been lost in thought and busy concentrating on driving. "Uncle Jordan...he...uh..." Adam said slowly, trying to think of how he'd explain it. "He's just...very sick." Adam eventually said, unsure if Monte would actually understand or not.


Lennon was sitting beside Monte quietly, playing games on their dad's phone. He had headphones in so the noise didn't bother their dad while he was driving and because he didn't really like talking about people being sick after being left to suffer alone while sick so many times before.

Sammy carefully walked into the room after her mother promise she would make sure Adam and the boys found the right room. "Ciao piccolo fratello, stai bene?" she asked Jordan softly, going over to stand by his bed.

(Hey little brother, are you alright?)

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Monte nodded slowly. "Momma sounded really upset...."

"Sto bene ..."("I am alright...") Jordan said softly, curling up on his side.

"Yeah, she is pretty upset." Adam sighed. "He's been sick for a while...but he suddenly got worse."

Lennon turned up the sound on his game, frowning when he realised he could still hear them talking.

"Non suono va bene, lei non ha parlato una parola di inglese in ore, Jordan parla di me... per favore?" Sammy pleaded softly.

(You don't sound fine, you haven't spoken a word of English in hours, Jordan talk to me.....please)

Melissa sighed as she stood outside the room.
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Monte nodded again. "Oh...."

Jordan bit his lip softly and curled up tighter.

"Lissa.." Stevie said as he hurried over to her.

Adam sighed, running a hand through his hair as they stopped at a traffic light. "You know how I played Roger, how he and his friends were sick...?" He asked, looking breifly over his shoulder at Monte.

Sammy sighed softly. "Jordan.......please....don't do this, not to me, don't shut me out....."

Melissa looked up, hugging Stevie instantly.

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Monte nodded. "Uh huh....."

"Ho paura".("I'm scared.")Jordan said softly.
Stevie hugged her close.

"Your uncle's like that..." Adam said softly, frowning.

Lennon shifted in his seat, curling his legs up onto the seat.

"Lo so, lo so, ma che sarà bene," said Sammy gently

(I know, I know, but it's gonna be okay.)

"He's getting worse..." Melissa said softly

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"Oh...." Monte said sadly. "That's bad....."

"No, non è ...."("No it isn't....") Jordan said softly.
Stevie kissed the top of her head. "He'll be ok."

"Yeah..." Adam sighed, looking back at the road as he continued driving.

"Non lo facciamo, non..." Sammy whispered.

(Don't do this, don't give up)

Melissa nodded. "Adam's supposed to be here soon..."

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Monte leaned his head back on the window

Jordan sighed again, he didn't know what to do.
Leo run into the hospital, "Momma?"

"Are you two ok?" Adam asked quietly as he found a place to park.

Lennon didn't respond, still playing games.

Melissa gave a small worried smile. "Leo..."

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Monte just nodded.

"Is he ok?" Leo asked worriedly.

Adam sighed. "We're here..." He said as he stopped the car.