"Hey, you're not allowed to peek!"
"But..."
"Josh!"
"Fine..."
He responds in surrender then lets me put the palm of my hands back on his eyes.
He's even worse than me at surprises.
"Are we there yet?"
"Almost. Just a few more steps... And - you can open your eyes now!"
He conforms and then,
"Uh... I don't get it."
"Open the box," I say to him in a duh tone but I'm not surprised when he then says,
"But what was the point of closing my eyes if it's in a box?"
Josh has a smart mouth that I still try really hard not to slap.
"Ok I guess that was a little dramatic but open the box Josh jeez," I say to him annoyingly but also excitedly. I can't wait to see his face when he sees it.
He then doesn't waste any more time before opening the box and then,
"You're kidding me!"
"Nope."
"Alex, is this a prank?"
"Ooh, that would've been a great one hey? But no it's not."
I say then laugh when he jumps up and down holding the red piece of paper.
"My friend is one of the players for the eagles and he pulled that off for you,"
I say to him as he continues to celebrate.
Josh is probably the biggest eagles fan that I know. He's an even bigger fan than dad and dad is practically obsessed with them. He never misses any of their games and his worst days are ones when they lose a game. Lucky for him, that almost never happens as they are the best team in the league.
After a while of begging him, Ezra finally agreed to do this for me. I went through so much torture trying to get the tickets but I'll do it again in a heartbeat for Josh.
"So not only will you have front seat access, you'll get to meet the whole team after the game"
I didn't think it was possible but he started jumping even higher than he was before and I end up stopping him as I don't want him to lose any more limbs.
"Is it today's game?"
"Yup."
The only reason I'm giving this to him now is because Ezra only gave it to me this morning. I know he did it on purpose but I was too excited to scold him.
The Eagles are playing a big game today that Josh as well as the rest of the world had been anticipating for weeks now. I've been going around trying to get him a ticket, I was even on the verge of purchasing the very expensive piece of paper but thankfully, Ezra came through. Years later.
Josh is slowly finding his feet again. Not that he's ever lost them, he's just happier now than he was a few months ago. He's taken on hobbies and even went back to watching football again, which was something he'd minorly let go of. I know it's because that was something he used to share with his father.
He's slowly realising that this is his life, and he's accepting it.
I'd given up trying to let him understand that it's ok to cry when he'd told me that there are a lot of people in the world who go through worse and that he's just thankful to be alive. I'd gone home and cried later that day. Josh is a very special kid.
I know it's been hard for him to try to navigate himself into his new life, despite him being so positive and hopeful throughout this journey. I'm incredibly proud of how strong he's been and I wanted to show him by taking him to the first game of the season. This is the absolute least I can do for him after what he'd gone through.
"Alex, I don't know how to thank you." He says now getting emotional and I make my way to him to give him an embrace but,
"Ew no."
He says running away but I catch him before he gets away from me.
"Oh Joshy. You're shuch a cuute lwittle buoy aren't ya?" I say in toddler fashion as I pinch his cheeks and make faces. I know he hates that and that's why I like to do it.
He grunts then fights me off until he's able to wobble himself away from my hold.
"Josh you need to get ready, the car is coming in about 30 mins," I say a while later now looking at my watch. The game will be starting soon.
He wastes no time running upstairs and I smile at his perkiness. There's nothing in the world that I appreciate right now than seeing a smile on that boy's face and knowing I had something to do with it.
Josh is finally out of the hospital after being there for a few months. Other than losing his arm, he didn't have any other major injuries. He'd stayed a bit longer there because they were trying to find him a home as he doesn't have any other immediate family members who were willing to take over his care.
I guess that's a responsibility that not everyone can happily take on but I'd been really sad at the news still. I'd made sure he didn't find out about that because the last thing I want him to feel is not wanted.
He's now staying at an orphanage home.
Jenifer and I tried to find him the best one we could and we managed to find one that doesn't have too many kids. Josh is still too fragile and we were afraid to put him in that kind of environment.
Of course I'd tried to get him to stay with us but was told that wouldn't be possible unless I adopted him.
But I make sure to always be there for him when I can, which happens to be all the time.
"Ok ok, I'm here." I hear him shout as he now makes his way back downstairs.
I then let the caregivers know I'll be taking him to a game for a few hours, grab his jacket before we go outside to wait for our ride.
5 minutes later,
"Mickey!" I exclaim excitedly. I haven't seen him in forever.
"Hey Alex! And you little man must be Josh!" He says making his way to him to shake his hand and I roll my eyes at the formalities. He's 8.
Not too long after we get on the road to go to the stadium where the game will be starting in just under an hour.
"You're looking great Mickey, you've lost so much." I compliment him as we continue driving to the game.
He's literally gone from having a protruded belly to having a six-pack. So I can't help but,
"Is it because of someone special?"
I ask this because he always used to say he'll only lose weight if he found someone special.
"There was." He tries to say with a smile but I don't miss the sadness in his eyes.
I make a mental note to ask him about it. I've turned into one of those people who are constantly giving people advice and saving them in the last few months. A lot of people don't appreciate it but that's not going to stop me.
We soon enter through the gigantic gates of the stadium. We still use the private gates but everything looks so different from the way there are so many people here already.
I think it's because I'd always gotten here hours before the game would have to start so I'm not used to it being so... wild when I get here.
They're usually still cleaning and getting everything ready for the game when I arrive.
"Oh my gosh!" Josh exclaims staring at the thousands of people we pass on our way to park the car, and when we make it past the many people standing in queues.
It's crazy.
The Eagles have had a great few years and thus earning them countless more supporters. So even though they've always been popular, it's never been like this.
The stadium is so full that you have to squeeze your body past people to pass through.
Lucky for us, we don't suffer through that because as soon as we leave the car, we're escorted by some guards to lead us through the crowds and to the sidelines of the open field.
It feels so odd being here because it was always where I'd wanted to be, supporting my boyfriend at the time but was never allowed to.
I take a look around me once we're seated and practically squeal when I spot Michaela sitting not too far from me.
I stand up to make my way to her just when she too spots me.
I haven't seen Michaela in years. So it's no surprise when we embrace each other in a hug that lasts for what feels like hours. I let go to see her tearing up and I can't help but mimic her.
We stand there for a while just mindlessly chatting when,
"Alex?"
I turn around to see a look on Ezra I haven't seen in a while.