I still have a wad of hundred dollar bills in my pocket and I feel bad that I didn’t finish giving them out. It’s Christmas Day, and I have too much money. Money that’s not mine. I almost think I need to take it back to the Reeds, but I’m pretty sure that’s not what they’d want me to do with it.
So, instead, I take myself to the hospital, to the long-term-care ward. It’s where I stayed after my accident, while I learned how to get myself around, transfer to a bed, learned how to dress myself, and do all the necessities. I want to go and talk to some of the patients there, to see if there’s anything I can do to help them.
When I get there, I go to the nurses’ station and introduce myself. “Okay if I go and talk to some of the people here?”
She shrugs. I don’t think she really wants to be here on Christmas Day.
I roll down the hallway, peering into doors, until I see a young man propped up in a bed. “Merry Christmas,” I tell him. “Can I come in?”
He nods warily. I introduce myself, and his mother comes back into the room, so I introduce myself to her too.
“Are you with the hospital?” she asks.
I shake my head. “How’s the rehab going?” I ask.
“It’s going well. We’re waiting for a grant to go through so he can get a motorized chair.”
Bingo! This is why I came here. “What do they cost?” I ask. “A lot?”
“Several thousand. It’s like buying a car.” She titters nervously.
I reach into my pocket and pull out a wad of cash. I count out hundreds and watch as her eyes grow wider and wider. “If this isn’t enough, come and see me at Reeds’ Tattoo shop, okay?” I tell her. I shake hands with the young boy. “Merry Christmas.”
The mom can’t speak, but she hugs me and I leave with my heart feeling a little lighter.
I give away a little more, and finally find a young boy who needs a computer so he can talk. It’s kind of like the one Pete’s friend Gonzo uses so he can type and have the computer speak for him. I give his dad some money and he’s almost speechless. “Who are you?” he finally asks.
“Just a guy with some extra cash,” I tell him. Extra cash and guilt. I have a heavy heart, and this is actually helping, although it will never undo what I did, and I know that.
I find a few homeless people and give out the last of the cash, and then I head back to my apartment. I go home. Because I have one. Of my very own.
As I roll toward the front door, a little girl rushes to open it for me. Another girl, a little older, stands behind her. “Where’s your coat?” I ask. I mock a shiver. “It’s cold out.”
“Oh, we weren’t leaving. We were just looking around.” She nods at her sister. “We just moved in.”
“Me too.”
“Do you know the Reeds?” the older girl asks.
“Yes.”
Her eyes narrow. “Are they really this kind? Or is there something I should be worried about?”
I laugh. “They’re just this kind.”
She lets out a breath. “Oh, good.” She turns to walk away, but calls over her shoulder, “Merry Christmas!”
I get in the elevator and almost hit the button for my floor, but I hit the one for Paul’s apartment instead. I know they’ll all be there, and I probably shouldn’t go, but I like what they all have together. I’ll only stay for a few minutes.
I knock on the door and Friday opens it. She’s in red and green pajamas and I almost turn around and leave, but then I realize everyone else is in their pajamas too.
“Merry Christmas,” Friday tells me. I roll into the room and stop. “Josh!” A roomful of male voices calls out. My face heats up. I don’t know why. But this feeling of belonging with these people…it just doesn’t feel right. Yet.
“Merry Christmas,” I reply.
“I’ll take your coat.” Friday holds out her hand.
“Oh, I’m not saying long,” I tell her.
“Oh, yes you are,” she says. “The boys are going to play Monopoly, and I hate that game. They need someone else to play.” She cups her hand around her mouth. “Apparently, it’s something they used to do on Christmas Day with their parents. I always end up wanting to slap Paul every time he makes me play, so you can take my place.”
“I don’t know how to play Monopoly,” I admit.
“Oh, they’ll teach you. Rule of thumb, though—buy everything.”
“Good to know,” I say.
“There’s a present for you under the tree, Josh!” one of the little girls calls out. I have no idea who they all are, but I am pretty sure this one is Paul’s.