Buddy by Holly Schlaack

Author:Holly Schlaack
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Holly Schlaack
Published: 2018-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 23

“IT’S A BIG DAY FOR you, big guy,” Maxine says as she unbuckles the straps on my seat and easily slides me out of it, even though the heavy things on my arm and leg could make it hard. She’s used to it by now, and I guess I am, too. I’m glad my arm and leg don’t hurt nearly as much anymore.

Maxine sets me on her hip and throws my diaper bag over her shoulder.

“This is a big place, but we’ll find our way,” she says as we enter an elevator. A small person looks up and waves at me. He’s smiling. I look away and put my head on Maxine’s shoulder. Sometimes I like new faces, but today, not so much.

“Buddy, look, there’s a little boy waving at you,” Maxine says. “Can you say hi?”

I don’t look up.

“What’s his name?”

“His name is Buddy,” Maxine replies.

“My name is Tyrone. I’m five. I come here a lot. This morning, my baby brother threw up all over the place. It was disgusting! He’s not sick, though. I mean, he’s just a little sick and it will go away. He doesn’t have to come to the hospital or anything. Does Buddy come here a lot?”

“Tyrone, remember, we talked about how it’s not polite to ask people questions like that, especially strangers. Not everybody likes to talk as much as you do. This nice lady probably doesn’t want to hear about Josh being sick this morning, either.” The voice comes from the big person standing next to him.

“I don’t mind,” Maxine laughs. “Buddy needs a little extra help with things like learning how to talk, so we come here for that. He’s not sick. He’s just fine. Aren’t you, Buddy?” Maxine’s hand is on my head. I still don’t look up.

“That’s good he’s not sick, because I was really sick before and that was horrible. But I’m better now. Right, Mom?”

“That’s right.”

The elevator stops with a ding.

“Oncology. Here we are!” Tyrone says as he reaches out for his mom’s hand. “Bye, Buddy! Good luck with your talking!”

“Good luck to you, too!” Maxine says as she chuckles. They step out of the elevator and disappear.

“He sure was a friendly little guy. That’ll be you soon enough, Buddy, talking up a storm and making all kinds of friends.”

The elevator dings again and we step out.

“Looks like we go this way,” Maxine says and starts walking.

She talks to a lady behind a desk and then we sit down and wait until another lady calls out a name and Maxine stands.

“This must be Michael,” the lady says. She is smiling. I just look at her. I don’t like her face, either. It’s one of those days. “My name is Teresa. I’m the speech therapist who will be working with you all.”

“Nice to meet you,” Maxine says. “Michael’s nickname is Buddy. Everyone calls him Buddy.”

“Okay then, Buddy it is.” She bends down a little closer. “Hi, Buddy. I like your shirt. It has dogs on it. Do you like dogs?” I still just look at her.

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