| Chapter 3 |
| JC followed Faith into the small preschool. The first thing he noticed was the youthful drawings that lined the walls. He laughed to himself when a woman came to Faith and greeted her warmly. She certainly seemed like she did everything. �So Faith, what do you do here?� JC asked as he looked into a few classrooms filled with giggling children. She turned to look at him, �I don�t work here, JC.� She said firmly. �Oh.� JC said thinking She opened a door to the small classroom and smiled at all the children. �Hey kids.� She said as a small child ran over to hug her legs. �Hey there, kiddo. Grab your stuff and we�ll be leaving. This is JC.� The little girl smiled and skipped away. �That was Lacey.� Faith said as she turned to JC and couldn�t describe the look on his face. He looked shocked but at the same time deep in thought, �My daughter.� JC�s jaw dropped. He didn�t know what to say or do except stare at her in disbelief. Faith smiled, trying to hold back her laughter, �And that man over there,� she said pointing to one of the teachers, �he�s my husband.� �Husband?� JC thought to himself. He couldn�t have been more stupid. �Re...really?� JC said turning away from her. �No!� she said as she laugh uncontrollably. �Huh?� he said looking at her. �Jeez, JC you need to lighten up. I�m too young to get married, let alone have a child!� she saw his confused look and continued, �Lacey is my sister, she was adopted, just like I was. I actually have no idea who that guy is either. My parents went away and I volunteered to take care of her while they were gone.� �Really?� �Yup. The look on your face just made me do that.� �God, Faith, you scared the crap out of me.� He said laughing �Why is that? What would it matter if I was married with a daughter?� she said as she collected some of Lacey�s things. �It�umm it wouldn�t matter�it�s just that I didn�t expect it and ummm�� �Right.� She said as Lacey came to her. �Do I have to go?� Lacey said jumping into her sister�s arms, �I was drawing a picture to show Timmy next week.� �Come on, Lace. We can finish that picture as soon as we get home.� Lacey looked at JC and shook her head. �What�s wrong.� �That�s�JC.� She whispered, pointing at him. �Yes it is.� Faith said as she started walking for the door. JC smiled when he heard her whisper to Faith, �Hey, Lacey. How are you doing?� Lacey looked at him a moment before she jumped into his arms. �Good.� She said giggling as JC balanced himself from her jump. �Lacey.� Faith said �It�s ok, I got her.� JC said as he walked out into the parking lot. Lacey stopped giggling as she played with the Leo necklace JC was wearing. �What�s this?� she said concentrating on the object. �It�s my good luck charm.� He said looking down at her. �Oh.� She said still playing with it. �Here we go Lacey. Say goodbye to JC.� Faith said opening the car door. �Bye JC.� She said as JC put her in the car. Faith shut the door and leaned against the car. �So, we better get going.� She said. �Yeah, same here.� JC said trying to think of something to say. �I�ll see you around then.� Faith said as she walked opened the front door. �Wait.� He said, �I�m sorry for acting like a jerk the other day.� �Ohs� came from Lacey inside the car. �I don�t need to hear your apologies, JC.� JC looked away, �It�s those kids that do.� She shut the car door and walked over to him. �Never did I expect you to act that way and neither did those children. I can tell you about 5 girls all tore down your beloved picture and replaced them with Justin�s. You were their hero. It�s a shame you turned out to be an ass.� �Faith!� Lacey screamed and began to talk about how �Mommy wouldn�t like to hear her say those words.� �I don�t know what was wrong with me.� He said taking a step closer. Faith stared at him for a moment. He was less then 10 inches away and she could feel the heat that came from his body. She looked down and turned to open the car door, �That means nothing to me.� She said and she got in the car and shut the door. �Faith�wait�I�� JC said not knowing what to say. �Look, JC, not only do I have to go to work but I have to worry about planning a party that all of the special guest have pulled out off. My stress level is high and I don�t feel like arguing with you. I have a lot of things to do today and I�ve already wasted enough time. Maybe�maybe we�ll meet again some day.� With that she drove away leaving JC in the parking lot thinking about everything she had said. JC knew exactly what he was going to do and something inside of him made JC feel like he couldn�t wait until he saw her again. The next day Faith was stuck in her office making phone calls and arranging guests. Looking at numbers in her directory she signed when her phone rang, �Hello?� she said �Hey, Faith, it�s Kathy. Any new developments on the party?� she said �Not really. So far the only celebrities that are coming are Vitamin C and LFO, no one has heard from them in years. This is a disaster, Kat and I don�t know what to do.� �Isn�t there any one else you can try?� she asked �I�ve tried everyone and it�s not like their phone numbers are listed in the phone book. It really is a shame that the only way half of them will come is if they are paid. For once I�m trying to do something that everyone will love and nothing is working out.� She said defeated. �Faith, you do things everyday that people love. It�s ok if this one thing doesn�t work out.� �No it�s not ok. This is what I promised and I�m not taking it back.� �Well, what about those Nsync boys? They were just in the hospital not to long ago. Didn�t you try them?� she asked �No, they did me a huge favor by coming that day and I� I just wouldn�t feel right and besides I saw JC yesterday and it was weird and�� �What? Wait a minute! You SAW JC yesterday? Where? FAITH!� �Calm down�he was at the food store and�� �They boy food shops! Faith you got to get to know him.� �What are you talking about. We talked for a little while but it was nothing special. I�d feel weird if I called him now.� She said even though she wanted to. �Faith! I want details!� JC walked into the hospital carrying two dozen yellow roses. Lifting his sunglasses from his eyes he walked over to a woman behind a counter and asked her how to get to the children�s ward. She smiled and pointed down the hall before asking him to sign in. �Thanks.� JC walked down the hallway and noticed the wallpaper covering the beige walls was replaced with child-like art and he immediately knew he was in the children�s section. Walking over to the office that he remembered as Faith�s, he cleared his throat and raised his hand to knock on the door. Then he heard her voice, �She�s on the phone.� He said aloud to himself before walking quickly passed her door so she wouldn�t see him. �I�ll come back to her.� Walking across the hall he entered a room that two girls, probably no older than 13 were both sitting on a bed watching TV. He smiled when he saw the pictures of himself and his friends on the wall next to a vase filled of flowers. He looked back at the girls and noticed their pale features. Even from behind the girls looked sick. Their hair was gone and their skin looked cold. He said a quick prayer for their health, then made his presence known. �Excuse me?� He said stepping closer to the pair Both girls quickly turned their heads and stared at him in shock. �J..JC? What are you doing here?� The first one asked. �Oh my god.� The other one said quietly, �I don�t have my bandana.� She said covering her head. �It�s ok.� JC said coming closer, �You are beautiful the way you are.� The girl blushed as sat on the edge of the bed. �I just wanted to come by and tell you that I�m sorry.� He said pulling out a yellow rose for each of the girls. �I hope you guys don�t hate me too much. I was having a bad day and I�m sorry.� �It�s ok, JC. I�m Danielle and this is Jackie.� �It�s nice to meet you both.� He said shaking their hands. Jackie blushed again and stared at him not knowing what to say. Danielle shook her head, �I�m glad you came back. I really didn�t like you for a while.� �That�s completely understandable. I promise I�m not always like that. I was just�� �Just having a bad day?� She said, �What do you consider a bad day, JC? Having to visit sick kids? Not having girls bow down to you?� JC was completely speechless as he stared at the young girl. �At this hospital, having a bad day means being diagnosed with rare forms of cancer, like myself. Or relapsing after 2 years like Jackie. These are bad days. No one here wants your pity but a hug and a smile would be nice.� JC didn�t know what to say. He leaned over and hugged each of the girls. �Thank you.� He said before standing up and walking toward the door. Walking across the hall he entered another room, and another, giving a flower to each of the kids in the rooms. He continued to do this unnoticed for two hours, until each child had received his personal apology. Walking over to Faith�s office with another bouquet of roses, he noticed that she was still one the phone. Not wanting to interrupt he leaned against the doorframe and smiled when he heard that she had been talking about him. He could hear her foot steps coming closer to the door so he quickly backed away around the corner. �Kat, I�m not asking them to come. End of story. The other day was harmless between JC and I. Yes�I know he�s cute but�No!�I would never. Kathy!! Yes, I�m going to ask her now.� JC smiled, �I�m cute.� He said out loud watching her walk away. He quickly ran inside her office and placed the flowers on her desk next to a small card. �There.� He said. He quickly walked out of the office and down the hall and smiled at one of the nurses he had recognized from the other day. �Faith is a great girl.� She said �I know.� JC as he walked down the hall. �Faith!� The nurse called as she saw him walk away. �Yes?� She said clicking her phone shut. �I think you have something in your office.� The older woman said pointing down the hall. �Oh�I swear if it�s another donation from the Mitchell�s, I think I may just throw it away. Yes, I need clothes for the children, but some of their things are so dirty, it�s a sin to make others wear it.� Faith said as she walked in the direction of her office. �I don�t think it�s anything from the Mitchell�s.� Faith looked at her strangely before seeing Danielle and Jackie standing in the hall holding their roses, �Hey girls, who gave you those? They are so pretty!� she said stopping in front of her office. �JC.� They both said similtaneously. �JC? Are you sure?� She said smiling. They two girls nodded. �Maybe you should go into your office.� The nurse said. Faith looked at her once again before entering her office. She gasped when she noticed the yellow roses lying on her desk. �Oh my.� She said walking toward them, �Who would give me these?� Faith smiled when she smelled the flowers. She slowly picked up the card and ran her fingers over her name that was written in small capital letters on the envelope of the card. �Would you stop being so dramatic and open it!� the nurse called as she stood by the doorway. Faith, Thanks for giving me a second chance. Don�t worry about getting guest for the party, I�ve got it under control. See you in a week. JC Faith smiled when she read the card and ran out of the office in search of him. �Where is he?� she asked The nurse smiled and pointed down the hall. �JC!� she called as she saw him walk on the elevator from behind, �JC! Wait!� she said again JC turned around and smiled when he saw her coming. �Trust me.� He said as she came closer. He knew that she wanted to talk to him but instead of waiting for her he left the elevator doors close. Faith watched out her office window and signed. She watched as JC made his way to the parking lot in search of his car. After watching him for about 2 minutes he turned in her direction and waved up at the window, he knew she was staring from. Instead of turning away from him, she was completely mesmerized by his smile that she could see clearly for 3 stories above him. She smiled and waved back. �What are you doing to me, JC?� she asked herself aloud. The only thing she had to do now was trust him.JC followed Faith into the small preschool. The first thing he noticed was the youthful drawings that lined the walls. He laughed to himself when a woman came to Faith and greeted her warmly. She certainly seemed like she did everything. �So Faith, what do you do here?� JC asked as he looked into a few classrooms filled with giggling children. She turned to look at him, �I don�t work here, JC.� She said firmly. �Oh.� JC said thinking She opened a door to the small classroom and smiled at all the children. �Hey kids.� She said as a small child ran over to hug her legs. �Hey there, kiddo. Grab your stuff and we�ll be leaving. This is JC.� The little girl smiled and skipped away. �That was Lacey.� Faith said as she turned to JC and couldn�t describe the look on his face. He looked shocked but at the same time deep in thought, �My daughter.� JC�s jaw dropped. He didn�t know what to say or do except stare at her in disbelief. Faith smiled, trying to hold back her laughter, �And that man over there,� she said pointing to one of the teachers, �he�s my husband.� �Husband?� JC thought to himself. He couldn�t have been more stupid. �Re...really?� JC said turning away from her. �No!� she said as she laugh uncontrollably. �Huh?� he said looking at her. �Jeez, JC you need to lighten up. I�m too young to get married, let alone have a child!� she saw his confused look and continued, �Lacey is my sister, she was adopted, just like I was. I actually have no idea who that guy is either. My parents went away and I volunteered to take care of her while they were gone.� �Really?� �Yup. The look on your face just made me do that.� �God, Faith, you scared the crap out of me.� He said laughing �Why is that? What would it matter if I was married with a daughter?� she said as she collected some of Lacey�s things. �It�umm it wouldn�t matter�it�s just that I didn�t expect it and ummm�� �Right.� She said as Lacey came to her. �Do I have to go?� Lacey said jumping into her sister�s arms, �I was drawing a picture to show Timmy next week.� �Come on, Lace. We can finish that picture as soon as we get home.� Lacey looked at JC and shook her head. �What�s wrong.� �That�s�JC.� She whispered, pointing at him. �Yes it is.� Faith said as she started walking for the door. JC smiled when he heard her whisper to Faith, �Hey, Lacey. How are you doing?� Lacey looked at him a moment before she jumped into his arms. �Good.� She said giggling as JC balanced himself from her jump. �Lacey.� Faith said �It�s ok, I got her.� JC said as he walked out into the parking lot. Lacey stopped giggling as she played with the Leo necklace JC was wearing. �What�s this?� she said concentrating on the object. �It�s my good luck charm.� He said looking down at her. �Oh.� She said still playing with it. �Here we go Lacey. Say goodbye to JC.� Faith said opening the car door. �Bye JC.� She said as JC put her in the car. Faith shut the door and leaned against the car. �So, we better get going.� She said. �Yeah, same here.� JC said trying to think of something to say. �I�ll see you around then.� Faith said as she walked opened the front door. �Wait.� He said, �I�m sorry for acting like a jerk the other day.� �Ohs� came from Lacey inside the car. �I don�t need to hear your apologies, JC.� JC looked away, �It�s those kids that do.� She shut the car door and walked over to him. �Never did I expect you to act that way and neither did those children. I can tell you about 5 girls all tore down your beloved picture and replaced them with Justin�s. You were their hero. It�s a shame you turned out to be an ass.� �Faith!� Lacey screamed and began to talk about how �Mommy wouldn�t like to hear her say those words.� �I don�t know what was wrong with me.� He said taking a step closer. Faith stared at him for a moment. He was less then 10 inches away and she could feel the heat that came from his body. She looked down and turned to open the car door, �That means nothing to me.� She said and she got in the car and shut the door. �Faith�wait�I�� JC said not knowing what to say. �Look, JC, not only do I have to go to work but I have to worry about planning a party that all of the special guest have pulled out off. My stress level is high and I don�t feel like arguing with you. I have a lot of things to do today and I�ve already wasted enough time. Maybe�maybe we�ll meet again some day.� With that she drove away leaving JC in the parking lot thinking about everything she had said. JC knew exactly what he was going to do and something inside of him made JC feel like he couldn�t wait until he saw her again. The next day Faith was stuck in her office making phone calls and arranging guests. Looking at numbers in her directory she signed when her phone rang, �Hello?� she said �Hey, Faith, it�s Kathy. Any new developments on the party?� she said �Not really. So far the only celebrities that are coming are Vitamin C and LFO, no one has heard from them in years. This is a disaster, Kat and I don�t know what to do.� �Isn�t there any one else you can try?� she asked �I�ve tried everyone and it�s not like their phone numbers are listed in the phone book. It really is a shame that the only way half of them will come is if they are paid. For once I�m trying to do something that everyone will love and nothing is working out.� She said defeated. �Faith, you do things everyday that people love. It�s ok if this one thing doesn�t work out.� �No it�s not ok. This is what I promised and I�m not taking it back.� �Well, what about those Nsync boys? They were just in the hospital not to long ago. Didn�t you try them?� she asked �No, they did me a huge favor by coming that day and I� I just wouldn�t feel right and besides I saw JC yesterday and it was weird and�� �What? Wait a minute! You SAW JC yesterday? Where? FAITH!� �Calm down�he was at the food store and�� �They boy food shops! Faith you got to get to know him.� �What are you talking about. We talked for a little while but it was nothing special. I�d feel weird if I called him now.� She said even though she wanted to. �Faith! I want details!� JC walked into the hospital carrying two dozen yellow roses. Lifting his sunglasses from his eyes he walked over to a woman behind a counter and asked her how to get to the children�s ward. She smiled and pointed down the hall before asking him to sign in. �Thanks.� JC walked down the hallway and noticed the wallpaper covering the beige walls was replaced with child-like art and he immediately knew he was in the children�s section. Walking over to the office that he remembered as Faith�s, he cleared his throat and raised his hand to knock on the door. Then he heard her voice, �She�s on the phone.� He said aloud to himself before walking quickly passed her door so she wouldn�t see him. �I�ll come back to her.� Walking across the hall he entered a room that two girls, probably no older than 13 were both sitting on a bed watching TV. He smiled when he saw the pictures of himself and his friends on the wall next to a vase filled of flowers. He looked back at the girls and noticed their pale features. Even from behind the girls looked sick. Their hair was gone and their skin looked cold. He said a quick prayer for their health, then made his presence known. �Excuse me?� He said stepping closer to the pair Both girls quickly turned their heads and stared at him in shock. �J..JC? What are you doing here?� The first one asked. �Oh my god.� The other one said quietly, �I don�t have my bandana.� She said covering her head. �It�s ok.� JC said coming closer, �You are beautiful the way you are.� The girl blushed as sat on the edge of the bed. �I just wanted to come by and tell you that I�m sorry.� He said pulling out a yellow rose for each of the girls. �I hope you guys don�t hate me too much. I was having a bad day and I�m sorry.� �It�s ok, JC. I�m Danielle and this is Jackie.� �It�s nice to meet you both.� He said shaking their hands. Jackie blushed again and stared at him not knowing what to say. Danielle shook her head, �I�m glad you came back. I really didn�t like you for a while.� �That�s completely understandable. I promise I�m not always like that. I was just�� �Just having a bad day?� She said, �What do you consider a bad day, JC? Having to visit sick kids? Not having girls bow down to you?� JC was completely speechless as he stared at the young girl. �At this hospital, having a bad day means being diagnosed with rare forms of cancer, like myself. Or relapsing after 2 years like Jackie. These are bad days. No one here wants your pity but a hug and a smile would be nice.� JC didn�t know what to say. He leaned over and hugged each of the girls. �Thank you.� He said before standing up and walking toward the door. Walking across the hall he entered another room, and another, giving a flower to each of the kids in the rooms. He continued to do this unnoticed for two hours, until each child had received his personal apology. Walking over to Faith�s office with another bouquet of roses, he noticed that she was still one the phone. Not wanting to interrupt he leaned against the doorframe and smiled when he heard that she had been talking about him. He could hear her foot steps coming closer to the door so he quickly backed away around the corner. �Kat, I�m not asking them to come. End of story. The other day was harmless between JC and I. Yes�I know he�s cute but�No!�I would never. Kathy!! Yes, I�m going to ask her now.� JC smiled, �I�m cute.� He said out loud watching her walk away. He quickly ran inside her office and placed the flowers on her desk next to a small card. �There.� He said. He quickly walked out of the office and down the hall and smiled at one of the nurses he had recognized from the other day. �Faith is a great girl.� She said �I know.� JC as he walked down the hall. �Faith!� The nurse called as she saw him walk away. �Yes?� She said clicking her phone shut. �I think you have something in your office.� The older woman said pointing down the hall. �Oh�I swear if it�s another donation from the Mitchell�s, I think I may just throw it away. Yes, I need clothes for the children, but some of their things are so dirty, it�s a sin to make others wear it.� Faith said as she walked in the direction of her office. �I don�t think it�s anything from the Mitchell�s.� Faith looked at her strangely before seeing Danielle and Jackie standing in the hall holding their roses, �Hey girls, who gave you those? They are so pretty!� she said stopping in front of her office. �JC.� They both said similtaneously. �JC? Are you sure?� She said smiling. They two girls nodded. �Maybe you should go into your office.� The nurse said. Faith looked at her once again before entering her office. She gasped when she noticed the yellow roses lying on her desk. �Oh my.� She said walking toward them, �Who would give me these?� Faith smiled when she smelled the flowers. She slowly picked up the card and ran her fingers over her name that was written in small capital letters on the envelope of the card. �Would you stop being so dramatic and open it!� the nurse called as she stood by the doorway. Faith, Thanks for giving me a second chance. Don�t worry about getting guest for the party, I�ve got it under control. See you in a week. JC Faith smiled when she read the card and ran out of the office in search of him. �Where is he?� she asked The nurse smiled and pointed down the hall. �JC!� she called as she saw him walk on the elevator from behind, �JC! Wait!� she said again JC turned around and smiled when he saw her coming. �Trust me.� He said as she came closer. He knew that she wanted to talk to him but instead of waiting for her he left the elevator doors close. Faith watched out her office window and signed. She watched as JC made his way to the parking lot in search of his car. After watching him for about 2 minutes he turned in her direction and waved up at the window, he knew she was staring from. Instead of turning away from him, she was completely mesmerized by his smile that she could see clearly for 3 stories above him. She smiled and waved back. �What are you doing to me, JC?� she asked herself aloud. The only thing she had to do now was trust him. |