I Have Lived and I Have Loved - Willow Winters Page 0,161

was in the hospital.”

“Come on,” Stephanie pipes in. “Timothy really wants to see this. You wouldn’t want to disappoint him, would you?”

Eli lets out a nervous laugh and stands. “I don’t have my group or music, though.”

“Who cares!” Timothy says. “I have my phone!” He grabs the phone from his pocket and puts on the song Eli sang to me at the concert.

I smile at the memory of the night we met. It seems like so long ago, but it’s only been three weeks. It’s crazy how fast my feelings for him have changed. I giggle as he spins and does his best to entertain the crowd in a private concert.

Apparently, Eli isn’t content being the center of attention, and decides to embarrass the shit out of me by pulling me out of the group. Once again, Eli serenades me. Only this time, it’s much more intimate, and I’m not drinking. He gets on his knees in front of me, belting out the lyrics, and in true fashion, I turn bright red. My limbs are numb and each time I try to move away, he pulls me closer.

The song ends, and he bows as the group erupts with applause. Timothy claps the loudest and I bury my head in his chest, shielding myself from seeing anyone’s face.

Once it’s over, we go back to the rides for a while more. The sun begins to set, and I wish I could freeze time. If today could last forever, I’d be happy. It’s been a day of celebration. It isn’t focused on what the people who are suffering can’t do, but all the ways they still live.

Stephanie wheels herself over to Timothy, who looks so tired I think he may fall asleep right here. “So, did you have fun?” she asks him.

He opens his eyes with a smile. “Today was awesome.”

“I agree, kid.”

“The cancer makes me so tired, and it’s in my bones now.” He rubs his arm and winces.

Stephanie reaches her hand over, touching his. “I understand. I’ll need a lot of sleep tomorrow.”

“It was worth it.” He yawns. “It was the best day of my life.”

Stephanie smiles at me and Eli. “Anthony and I have to go. I’m exhausted and need to rest. My head hurts, and my muscles are tight.”

“Do you want me to come with you?” I ask.

“No!” She pretty much yells before dissolving into a giggle. “No, I’ll be fine, Heather. Stay with Eli and come see me tomorrow or the day after, okay?”

Eli kisses her cheek, and her hand covers it. “Thank you. I really hope you stick around.”

He grins. “I plan to.”

“I love you,” she says to me.

I kiss her forehead and smile. “I love you more.”

I watch as Anthony fusses over her as they exit, and then we move over to Timothy hand in hand.

“I’m glad I got to spend the day with you,” I say to him.

“Me, too,” Timothy says and then looks at Eli. “I had so much fun.”

Eli pulls his small body into his arms and holds him tight. “Thank you for giving me today, Timothy. I’ll never forget spending the day with you.”

Timothy looks up with tears in his eyes. “When I go to Heaven, I’m going to tell God about today. I’m going to tell him how meeting you was the best day of my life.”

My hand flies to my throat, and I work hard not to fall apart. Eli doesn’t do as well. He pulls Timothy to his chest again and shakes his head. “I hope that day is a long time from now.”

Cindi, who has been watching the exchange, is crying as her family holds her tight. We all know the truth is that day is coming sooner than it should.

Eli tenderly places him back in the wheelchair before whispering something to him and kissing the top of his head. Then he makes his way to Cindi and does his best to comfort her. She thanks him repeatedly, and then he’s at my side.

We watch as they leave, neither of us moving as he grips my hand.

After a few minutes, I turn into him. His arm is around my shoulder, and I hold his waist. “Today was . . .” I’m not sure how to express it, but I want to try. “It was everything. Not because you did something extraordinary for me, but because of the whole day. Seeing you with Timothy and his family, I can’t tell you how much I’ll cherish this.”

Eli’s gaze moves to