The girl sleepily opened her eyes and yawned, "Who?"
"Hi, Jill." Meg said with a smile.
Jill turned to face Meg. "You're...you're Meghan Whitley!"
"Yes I am! I was just talking to your mom a second ago and she said that you're a big fan of mine."
"Yeah...you're my favorite!" Jill said, her eyes lighting up. "I was supposed to go see you and Britney Spears in May, but I got sick and I couldn't go."
"Well, I think it's better this way, seeing as we're both patients at the same hospital."
"Are you sick, too?"
"Well, kiddo, I'm being tested for cancer. See, I fell down at a show a few days ago because I was in a lot of pain and so...here I am."
Jill looked concerned. "Are you gonna die?"
"I hope not! I think I'll be okay, though."
"I hope I'll be okay, too. I have leukemia."
Meg was shocked. "I'm so sorry." She took Jill's little hand in hers. She decided it was best to change the subject. "Would you like me to sing for you?"
"Yeah!" She said, her fact brightening up again.
"What do you want me to sing?"
"Sing your favorite song!"
"Okay..." Meg paused.
Spend all your time waiting
For that second chance,
For a break that will make it okay.
There's always some reason
To feel not good enough,
And it's hard at the end of the day,
I need some distraction.
Oh beautiful release...
Memories seep through my veins,
Let me be empty
Oh and weightless and maybe
I'll find some peace of mind.
You're in the arms of the angel.
Fly away from here,
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you feel.
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie.
You're in the arms of the angel,
May you find some comfort here.
So tired of the straight life
And everything it brings,
Vultures and thieves at your back.
The storm keeps on twisting,
Keep on building the lie
That you make up for all that you lack.
It don't make no difference,
Escaping one last time.
It's easier to believe
In this sweet madness,
Oh this glorious sadness
That brings me to my knees.
You're in the arms of the angel.
Fly away from here,
From this dark cold hotel room
And the endlessness that you feel.
You are pulled from the wreckage
Of your silent reverie.
You're in the arms of the angel,
May you find some comfort here.
You're in the arms of the angel,
May you find some comfort here.
Jill grinned from ear to ear. "That was pretty!"
"Why thank you, Miss!"
Dionna leaned over to Meg, "Looks like you've drawn a crowd."
Meg turned around to see a group of pediatric nurses standing in the doorway. "Well, hello. Am I in trouble for wandering about the halls like a crazy woman?"
"Not really," a familiar voice said, emerging from the crowd.
"Long time no see, Lily."
"Same to you, Meghan," she said, approaching her. "Ready to go back to the lockup?"
"I guess." She turned back to Jill, "Well, kiddo, maybe I'll see you around."
"Can you come back?" Jill asked hopefully.
Meg smiled. "And miss seeing your smile ever again? I wouldn't think of it!" She squeezed Jill's hand and released it. "Nice meeting you, Dionna." She said to the young mother.
"Thank you so much, Meghan," she replied with tears in her eyes.
"The pleasure was all mine." She paused and turned back to the small blonde child in the bed. "Bye, Jill."
"Bye, Meghan!
With that, she was back down the hall via Lily pushing her wheelchair. After a long silence, she confided, "I can understand you getting cabin fever, Meghan."
"Really?"
"Yeah. I work here and I get it."
"Oh." She paused. "What do you know about Jill?"
"Jill...She's seven, parents are divorced. Dionna raised that child from the time she was two. Um...this is her second bout with Leukemia. She got it when she was four and was in remission until about six months ago."
"My gosh..." Meg whispered. "Does she have a chance?"
Lily didn't say anything for a while. "Not much."
Meg closed her eyes to stop tears from spilling on her cheeks. She leaned her head on her hand, suddenly feeling nauseous. This was what the hospital was about. Death. I can't stay here and watch Jill die...I have to get out of here.
I have to live.