Between the Pages: Chapter 5

Elianna

The next morning Elianna woke to the smell of eggs and bacon. Her mouth watered as she jumped out of bed and dressed for the day. This time in her new jeans and beautiful purple and pink floral shirt. Rose smiled when she entered the kitchen.
“How about a  good breakfast to start the morning off right?” Rose asked cheerfully.
“Yes please. It looks great!”
Elianna quickly devoured the meal and cleaned the kitchen while Rose enjoyed her plate. Its the least she could do after all the generosity.  She then carried Rose’s large tote of books to her car and waited for her to lock up. Rose then drove her to the hospital.

“If you wait here, I can pick you back up as well. That is, if you want to spend another night.”
Elianna nodded in response and replied “7:15”, she knew Rose’s routine.
“Thats right. 7:15.”

Elianna climbed the steps to the hospital, eager to show Charlotte her new clothes. She “Woohoooed”, once she caught a glimpse. “Look at you all dolled up!”
Elianna spun around giving her the complete view.
“Don’t I look beautiful!”
“Most beautiful gal in Yellow Town.”
The girls spend the day painting nails and doing each others makeup. At 7 PM sharp Elianna was outside waiting on the same step Rose left her on.

“How was your day with Charlotte?”
“Good. She has been quite bubbly and in good spirits lately. She admired the clothes you gave me.”
“Maybe I could meet her one day.”
“Maybe but she is really shy. She doesn’t like to have much company.”
“Her parents must be grateful that she has such a great friend like you.”
“I doubt it. Her mom and dad never come around.”
“Why not?” Rose questioned while her heart grew heavier with every question.
“I don’t know. I have never seen them before.”
“Never?”
“Nope. Not even once.”
“Isn’t that strange?”
“Not really. Kids get sick all the time and their parents must go on with their lives.”
“That just seems odd to me. If my child was sick I would be there everyday.”
“Not everyone has a parent like you.”
A thick silence settled amongst them.
“Would you like to bring Charlotte a gift?”
“What kind of gift?”
“What do you suppose she would like?”
“She is always using up her colored pencils. She could probably use some more coloring pages and books to read too.”
“We will eat out tonight and go shopping for your friend.”


Rose drove Elianna to the local consignment shop. Together they walked inside where Rose instructed Elianna to pick her friend out a few items. A few minutes later Elianna returns with colored pencils, a coloring book, and one chapter book. Rose nodded and told her to go check out the board game section. She returned with a floor puzzle of ocean animals and CandyLand.
“Great. Now pick you out something.”
Elianna paused for a moment, confused.
“Why?” She asked.
“Why not?” Rose responded.
Elianna slowly approached the isle she had saw it. A little bear similar to the one in the story Corderoy. Except his overalls and hat were a light shade of blue and his belly glowed with ambient light. Perfect for the lonely scary nights when the darkness felt too scary to face.
Elianna clutched the bear tight, presenting it to Rose.
“Alright, grab another for Charlotte.”
Elianna did as she was told and followed Rose to the register. Elianna looked away not wanting to know the final bill. On the way home Rose stopped at a Burger joint and bought them both a cheese burger and fry. All the while Elianna was bursting with excitement and joy, though you would hardly know it other than the big smile on her face.

The next morning Elianna woke up early to prepare her friend’s surprise. She wrapped each one neatly in pretty wrapping paper, finishing them off with oversized bows. All of them except the bear. Rose instructed her to wait on that particular one. Next she grabbed the wig Rose had bought her and gave it a try. If she was going to be catching rides from Rose from now on she needed to maintain her privacy. She pinned her golden locks up and pulled the jet black wig onto her head. She pinned it in place and observed the stranger in the mirror. Funny how hair can make so much of a difference in someone’s appearance. Surely no one would recognize her. She planned to test it on Charlotte today. She wanted to see if she could recognize her beneath the wig. With the excitement of presents she just might fool her.

Rose did a double take when Elianna entered the kitchen.
“How do you like it?”
“Weird, but I kinda like it. We will see if Charlotte notices me.”
“Do you have everything ready to go?”
“All except the bear, like you said.”
Elianna watched as Rose touched each bear together instantly making them light up and play a tune in unison. Rose touch the belly of one bear and miraculously  the other responded with a lit up hand print on it’s belly. Elianna was amazed!
“These are special bears. Not only do they light up, but when paired, they will mimic the touch on the other bear’s belly. That way you can be close to Charlotte when you have to be away.”
Elianna rushed and hugged Rose, silent tears running down her face.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”


Once again Rose drops Elianna off at the hospital. This time with arms full of gifts and a devious smile. Upon entering she had to promptly tell Nurse Jackie what was up. Elianna was a familiar face, this girl was a stranger. The nurses happily joined in the game and stood back as Elianna approached Charlotte.

“Good day miss. I was sent from the central intelligence agency to deliver a special surprise for a very special lady.” Elianna announced, doing her best to sound different.

Charlotte looked puzzled but clearly oblivious to her friend’s presence. She took the arm full
of gifts and stacked them on her hospital bed. One by one she unwrapped each of them, the excitement and joy showing loudly on her face.
“I can’t wait to show Eli! She will be so excited to play with all of this!”
“You won’t have to wait because TA-DA!”
Elianna pulled off the wig revealing her true self.
“What in the world? How did you do all this?”
“I had a little help from some friends.”
“I would say more than a little. Thank you all so much.”
“Don’t let her fool you Charlotte. We had no idea until she walked through the door, arms loaded.”
“Thank you Eli! Thank you so much. You are the best friend a girl could ask for.”

Elianna showed her the magic of the teddy bears, demonstrating multiple times by placing her hand on the bear’s belly, causing the same imprint to glow on Charlotte’s bear. Charlotte shrieked with delight and joined in with the testing accuracy. As Elianna’s gifts sparked joyful play, laughter resonated through the halls, drawing in other residents. Charlotte and Rose extended an invitation, and soon the entire hospital was abuzz with contagious giggles and warmth, transforming the atmosphere into one of pure delight.









Before she knew it, 8:00 was quickly approaching. Elianna’s heart sank, knowing Rose was probably home and through with dinner by now. She desperately wanted her soft warm bed one more night. Just as she was about to say her goodbyes she spotted Rose standing off in a corner almost hidden. Rose caught her gaze and softly nodded, hoping to reassure Elianna of her presence. Her eyes lit up bright and she ran over to her.
“Come meet Charlotte.”
Elianna grabbed Rose’s hand and led her through the crowd straight to Charlotte who sat at a table with a couple other people doing a puzzle.
“Charlotte, this is Rose, my……. friend. She is the reason today was possible.”
“Wonderful to meet you Rose. Nice to hear Eli has other friends. I assumed I was the one and only.” Charlotte joked. “Thank you for the gifts.”
“You are most welcome. It is great to finally meet the great and mysterious Charlotte.”

The night stretched on, reaching almost midnight before the kids passed out and the nurses shift change was initianted. Elianna couldn’t recall the last time she had been this happy or had seen her friend this happy. She wasn’t sure why Rose had invited her into her home but was sure glad she did. Now with all the gifts, clothes and meals, she was largely indebted to Rose, or so it was beginning to feel. Once the party ran out of steam, Elianna and Rose helped clean up and went home. She stretched out in her over soft bed and slept soundly with a heart and belly full. Rose similarly went to be feeling fulfilled and gratified.