Pooh's Site

Title: For a Cure II
Author: Fred
Category: All CC
Rating: G
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Summary: Timmy is in the hospital.
Special Thanks: To Pooh, for donating her video making talents and website, to Zendorox, for Betaing, and to Faithlee, for making the beautiful banner!!! THANK YOU!!!
For JP
~~~
The next year

Maria’s voice rang through Michael’s empty apartment. “Hello . . . Spaceboy . . . Are you here?”

When Maria didn’t get an answer she looked over at Liz and Isabel who had followed her through the door. “Maybe he’s in the shower.”

Isabel almost snorted. “Michael? – shower?”

Liz giggled as Maria rolled her eyes and began to make her way through the tiny apartment calling out her boyfriend’s name. “Michael . . . Michael.” After getting no answer and seeing no sign of him she came back to the living room. “I don’t know where he could be. I told him we were coming over.” She told her friends, angrily.

“Maria – it’s Michael.” Isabel said simply, knowing no other reasoning was needed.

Liz smiled sympathetically at her friend while Isabel walked around the wall into the kitchen. “Do you all want a drink?”

“Sure, get me a Snapple.” Maria answered.

“Liz?” Isabel asked.

“No, I’m alright.”

Isabel opened a cabinet and reached for a glass. “UHGG! Does Michael even know how to wash dishes?” She mumbled before announcing to Maria, “You’ll have to drink it from the bottle.”

“I know.” Maria answered as she walked towards the kitchen. When she turned the corner she found Isabel standing in front of the half-opened refrigerator door, looking at a piece of paper she had taken from it.

Isabel looked over at Maria sadly. “I think I know why Michael’s not here.” She said before handing Maria the note.

Maria took the paper and read the hastily scribbled note.

“Maria
Sorry not here
Timmy in hospital
Back later
Love M”

“Oh my God!” Maria gasped.

Wondering what was taking Maria and Isabel so long, Liz walked into the small kitchen. “What are you all doing in here?”

Isabel took the note from Maria and handed it to Liz.

Liz quickly read it over then looked up at her friends with concern. “I hope he’s alright.”

Her friends nodded and Maria announced, “We need to go see him.”

Both Isabel and Liz nodded their agreement. “Liz, you call Max, Maria call Kyle and I’ll call Alex. Tell them to meet us at the hospital.” Isabel said as Maria grabbed her keys and they all headed out the door.

The three girls spent the first half of the ride over to the hospital, calling the rest of the gang, explaining what had happened. When they were finished, Maria pressed the speed dial once again on her phone. After a few moments she slammed her phone shut. “Arghh! Why can’t Michael answer his cell!”

“Maria,” Isabel said calmly, “hospitals don’t usually allow cell phones.”

“Fine, you’re right, but he should have called before he left!” Maria ranted.

Liz tried to diffuse the situation. “Maria, he was probably just concerned about Timmy.”

“I know but . . .” Maria let her voice trail off.

As usual Isabel ignored Maria’s drama and started thinking, out loud. “We should take him something, some balloons or a toy.”

They brainstormed for a moment before Liz made a suggestion. “The hospital has a gift shop, we could get something there. I would really like to get there as soon as we can to make sure Timmy is alright and see what we can do.

They pulled into the hospital parking lot to find the rest of the gang already there, waiting.

Liz jumped out of the Jetta and ran over to Max, giving him a quick kiss. “You all got here quick.” She commented.

“Well our little guy is sick!” Kyle said sadly.

Tess squeezed Kyle’s hand in support while Liz nodded in understanding.

All eight of them had become close to the little guy this past year. When they had found out how hard it was for Timmy’s mom to find babysitters for a child with diabetes they all jumped in to help, learning his schedule, how to take his blood sugar and give him shots.

But each also had something in common with him. He shared a love of music with Alex and Maria, a love of science with Liz and Max and a love of video games with Michael. Timmy also enjoyed going to the park with Tess, and playing with Timmy made Tess happy because she knew she was experiencing a part of humanity she lost growing up with Nasedo.

Watching Timmy with Isabel gave the group the most enjoyment. Timmy was in love with her and because of that, she was the one who got Timmy to do the things he didn’t want to. Like clean his room or shop for school clothes. She even convinced him to start taking his own blood sugar, though he was still too young to give his own shots. The gang all teased Isabel, saying that she was Timmy’s girlfriend, and even Alex made it a point to act jealous around Timmy which always made everyone laugh.

Surprisingly though, it was Kyle who was now the closest to Timmy. During the JDRF ‘Walk for a Cure’ last year, he had taken Timmy to one of the school’s football games and the whole team had fallen in love with the little boy. Now he was their honorary mascot.

Kyle forced a smile. “I’m supposed to call Gary as soon as I know anything. He wants to know when the team can come and see him. But I thought that they should wait – didn’t know if Timmy could have so many visitors.

Alex had found his way to Isabel’s side. “Well Timmy will have a few visitors today – won’t he?”

Max grinned. “I’m sure the kiddo won’t mind. He likes the attention.”

“That is if he’s not too sick.” Liz added causing the other’s to sadden again.

“Well, shall we go in and find out?” Alex asked, stepping aside for the ladies to walk ahead.

Kyle walked passed him, grinning. “Oh Alex you’re such a gentleman.” He said in his best girly voice.

Tess turned and smacked Kyle on the arm. “You could learn a lesson or two from him.”

Kyle rolled his eyes but when they got to the front door he ran ahead and opened it for the group. “After you.” He said while bowing slightly.

The other’s laughed until the antiseptic smell hit their noses and their concern came flooding back.

“There’s the gift shop.” Maria pointed out. “Liz, Isabel, Tess and I will go look for something to bring Timmy. You guys go find out what room he is in.”

A few minutes later, in the entryway of the hospital, six of the seven met again.

“Room 346.” Max stated.

“What did you all get our buddy?” Kyle asked looking down at the bag that Isabel had in her hand.

Isabel opened the bag to reveal a small stuffed alien toy.

Max rolled his eyes. “You didn’t?”

The rest giggled and Liz added. “We also got him a toy car and Maria will be along in a minute with some balloons.”

As if on cue, Maria walked over to them with a huge balloon bouquet in her hand.

Liz grinned over at her friend. “Well, let’s head up.”

As the group got off the elevator they found Michael sitting in the hallway.

When he saw his friends he stood up. “Hey. I see you all got my note.” He looked up at the balloons in Maria’s hands and smiled. “You better watch it – you got so many balloons there, you might just fly away.”

Instead of laughter Michael was barraged with questions.

“What happened?”

“Why didn’t you call!?!”

“Why are you out here?”

“Will Timmy be alright?”

“How long have you been here.”

Michael tried to answer a few times only to be cut off by another question. Finally, he lifted his hand to stop them. “If you all would let me talk I will tell you.” When they all quieted down Michael began. “After you called,” he looked over at Maria, “I decided to play some video games while I waited, but Mrs. Johnson called. Mr. Johnson is out of town this week and she wondered if I could come with her and Timmy to the doctor. She said that Timmy had the flu or something and he wasn’t holding down any food. Because of that his sugar was going dangerously low.”

The group listened intently as Michael continued. “Mrs. Johnson was worried and wanted to get Timmy to the ER as soon as she could.” He looked over at Maria. “That’s why I didn’t take the time to call anyone.” Maria nodded her understanding feeling bad that she had been so angry at Michael.

“When we got here, they put an IV in Timmy’s arm.” Michael winced a bit. “Timmy doesn’t like IV’s so I had to help hold him down. By the way – if this happens again – I think it is someone else’s turn to be the bad guy.”

Michael took a breath. “The IV is glucose or sugar or something that will help his sugar levels go up and counteract the insulin. It is working and he’s doing better but they want to keep him here with the IV in him until they are sure he’s all better. I’m out here because the doctor is in his room right now with him and his mom.”

Maria walked over to Michael and wrapped her arms around his neck. “You’re a good guy Michael.” Then she hugged him and whispered in his ear. “I’m sorry I yelled at you.”

Michael understood that Maria had just been concerned with Timmy so he pulled her to him, squeezing her tightly, telling her that she was forgiven.

“So Timmy will be alright then?” Liz asked softly.

Michael nodded. “Yeah – he’s just got some stomach virus.”

“All this fuss for a kid with the flu.” Isabel commented sadly. “It’s awful that a normal thing like the flu can cause a kid with diabetes to end up in the hospital.”

The other’s agreed just as the doctor came out of Timmy’s room.

The doctor looked over at the group that had assembled around the young man who had helped Mrs. Johnson with Timmy, then called back into the room, “Timmy, it looks like you have some visitors.” Then looking over the teenagers that stood in front of him he whispered, “Timmy has told me all about you. He seems to think you all are some kind of aliens or something.” He winked at the kids and walked away.

“Oh no!” Isabel gasped.

“Don’t worry about it.” Michael said. “We were watching some alien show on TV last week. He likes to pretend we are all good aliens, even him, and that we are going to save the Earth from the bad aliens.”

“Well then he should like our present.” Liz said smiling as Isabel pulled the stuffed toy from the bag and handed it to Liz.

“Well let’s go see him.” Isabel suggested as she grabbed the car they had bought and wadded the bag to throw it away.

As soon as the group entered the room, Timmy’s face lit up. “Look mommy, they came to see me!” He said excitedly.

Mrs. Johnson nodded to the teens, silently thanking them.

“Of course we came, Timmy.” Max said.

Kyle ruffled the boy’s hair. “You know it kiddo.”

“I couldn’t let my best guy stay in the hospital without me now. Could I?” Isabel said as she kissed Timmy on the forehead. “We all got you a few things.” She added as she handed Timmy the car.

“Thank you.” Timmy said politely.

Alex crossed his arms. “Timmy,” he grinned as he scolded the boy, “are you trying to steal my girlfriend from me?”

Timmy giggled, knowing Alex was just playing. “Are those for me?” Timmy asked when he saw Tess and Maria walk in with the balloons.

Maria smiled. “Of course!”

Tess laughed. “Though, maybe we should give one to Alex as a consolation prize.” Tess teased.

Liz walked over and handed Timmy alien they had bought. “We all got this for you too.”

“WOW! Thanks!” Timmy said as he took the present from Liz. “I like aliens!”

“I do too.” Liz answered, looking up at Max.

“We know.” Max said as he gave a sly look to the rest of his friends.

They all giggled at the joke they shared.

Isabel walked over to Mrs. Johnson. “Do you want me to get you something? Something to eat or drink?”

Mrs. Johnson smiled. “Thank you. It would be really nice if you all would entertain Timmy for a little while so I can go down to the cafeteria and get some dinner.”

“No problem.” Isabel said. “We can stay as long as you need us to. We are just happy that Timmy will be alright.”

Mrs. Johnson smiled at the girl. “He will be . . . this time . . . but without a cure he’ll always have these problems.”

Isabel nodded, determination written all over her face. “Well then we’ll just have to help find one.”

Liz had overheard the conversation and nodded her head in agreement. “We already talked about it and we want to participate in the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes again this year.”

“Yes. When is it?”

A tired smile found its way to Mrs. Johnson’s face. “You all are so wonderful. I’m so happy that our family found you last year. The JDRF Walk is November 19th. I already have the brochures at home.”

“Well then as soon as Timmy is better we can start.” Liz stated.

Mrs. Johnson reached out to hug the two girls. “Thank you.” She looked over at the rest of the group entertaining Timmy. “Thank all of you.”

Isabel smiled, happy that she could help. “Now go get some dinner. Timmy will be fine while you are gone.”

“I know he will. I’ll be back as soon as I can. Thank you again.” Mrs. Johnson said before turning to Timmy. “Your friends are going to stay with you while I get something to eat. Will you be ok?”

Timmy giggled. “Yes mommy.”

Mrs. Johnson walked over and kissed her son on the forehead and walked out of the room.

Liz looked over at Timmy. “So Timmy . . . we are going to be on your walk team this year, if that’s alright.”

“YEA!!!” Timmy yelled. “I want to call the team Timmy’s Aliens.”

“Are we good aliens or bad aliens?” Tess asked.

Timmy giggled. “Good aliens, silly.”

Kyle laughed. “Timmy’s Aliens? Huh?”

“Sounds like a good name to me.” Maria piped in.

“You’re right Timmy. We are helping to get rid of diabetes we must be good aliens.” Isabel added.

“Well then, that’s the name.” Max decreed. “Timmy’s Aliens, blasting diabetes from the Earth!”

The End