"Happy Birthday to yoouuuuu!"
Lynn laughed as JC, Chris, and myself went terribly off key at the end of our very unique 'Happy Birthday' to Justin and Joey. You think, being one of the most famous bands in the world, that we could get 'Happy Birthday' down, but no.
Wrapping paper was strewn all about the room, Joey and Justin requesting that they open their presents first before we did anything else. Justin thought Chris' Hanson CD was funny, and he turned beet red when he opened the Britney doll. I was a little disappointed that Britney couldn't show up for the party. Her reaction would've been priceless.
Chris gave them both real gifts, of course, and so did we, and it was great. I tried not the let the fact that it would be the last time we'd all be celebrating Justin and Joey's birthdays together bother me.
"So, Justin, the big 2-0, huh? Too bad you're still not legal in some states," Chris said, snickering. Justin snorted and replied, "I look at it this way. You'll be thirty while I'm still twenty, and I'd rather still wait to be legal in some states then be a senior in all of them."
"Ooohhh," JC said, looking between the two of them and laughing. Chris and Justin's banters were always quite amusing to watch, and they usually ended in a playful wrestling match on the floor. This time was no exception.
Watching my friends, the people I considered more family than my own sometimes, it was so hard. I knew I wouldn't have moments like these forever.
Forever. That word has no meaning for me now.
*
The drive to the hospital was quiet, and tense, considering that JC's parents were in the car. They had showed up right before we were about to leave, and had somehow ended up in my car with me and JC.
Since I was driving, Karen and Roy were in the back seat, but still, it was a very awkward situation to be in. Karen and JC were making small talk, trying to rebuild their strained relationship, but Roy was silent, and when I kept looking the rear view mirror, he was staring straight at me, and I felt like his eyes were baring into my soul.
*
Justin, Chris, and Joey wouldn't make it to the hospital until after JC would be in surgery, so it would be just me, Karen, and Roy. It would be fun, I was sure.
"So... I'll see you when I get out?" JC asked, looking up at me, and his eyes were so wide and frightened that I took his hand in mine, not caring what Roy thought about it. "I'll be sitting right beside you, I promise. And I wont leave your side until you sign release forms and are back at home. You're going to get so sick of me, you'll wish you wouldn't see me anymore."
He gave me a small smile and said, "I could never get sick of you." I wanted to kiss him right there and then, but his parents were right there, and I wasn't sure how that would make him feel. He surprised me by pulling me down and gently kissing me, nothing big and fancy, just gentle and loving.
"See you when I wake up," he said, smiling at me. I turned around to see that Karen was shifting from foot to foot, obviously feeling out of place, and Roy was looking away, a look of disgust on his face.
"We love you son," Karen whispered as she hugged and kissed JC. I watched JC's face as he looked at his father's turned back, and I felt my heart break. I prayed my parents would understand when I told them. Whenever that would be.
JC sat in the wheel chair, the nurse pushing him into the elevator, and he gave me one last scared, but brave smile. I smiled back, mouthing 'I love you' to him. He mouthed it back and the elevator door closed shut.
And I was left alone in the waiting room with Karen and Roy.
And his eyes were still baring into my soul.
*
