The Carolers

The hospital was by Chinatown.

It was Christmas Eve.

Luke was five years old and had just come back to the floor from Recovery.

It had been his eighth surgery in two months.

--

His mother’s nook under the window was brimming with books, knitting supplies, and snacks. She would sleep on the short bench with a thin cushion covered in purple pleather.

She made sure to keep a plentiful supply of black licorice for herself and red licorice for Luke when he was allowed to eat it.

She popped piece after piece while Luke came in and out of consciousness.

--

Luke's father and sister Catherine drove into the city.

It was an hour ride.

Catherine, who was eight, had gotten used to these rides.

Over the last two, she had taught herself to blow bubbles in bubblegum.

She smacked and popped contentedly while her father drove without a thought but the road.

--

The hospital doors slid open and the unmistakable scent of cleaning detergent, hand sanitizer, and over-steamed food wafted over them.

They stopped by the cafeteria and picked up some cold sandwiches and chips.

Catherine knew which button to push when they got in the elevator.

Floor 9. Neuro ICU.

--

Catherine and her parents ate their supper and watched Luke breathe.

As Catherine was starting to get so bored she was falling asleep, a knock came at the door.

Five Chinese Christmas carolers came in and asked if they could sing for them.

They weren't Christians. Only neighbors.

Luke's mother nodded.

Their accents were thick but the tunes were familiar.

When they got to "Silent Night" the family joined them.

They all sang together as Luke continued to breathe.

https://old.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/98e3hi/i/e4fbjoz/

https://oc.reddit.com/r/OCPoetry/comments/98e60s/a_busy_death/e4fbxnj/