Chapter Text
Joe looked at his Mother.
Joe: "Are you sure there is plenty of chocolate in the Christmas cookies?"
Miriam: "Yes, Joe."
Joe: "And there are also nuts in the Christmas cookies?"
Miriam: "Of course. Just as you told me."
Joe: "And they also taste like oranges? Nico loves oranges, and I promised there would be oranges in the Christmas cookies."
Miriam: "I promise you, I put everything in the Christmas cookies you requested."
Miriam handed Joe the cookie tins, which Joe took with a smile.
Joe: "Thanks, Mom."
Joe hugged his Mother before he walked into his room, where he put the cookie tins in his duffel bag. Then he checked if he had everything for a weekend with Nicky.
Miriam: "Do you have everything?"
Joe: "The only thing I'm missing is the movie, which we will get on the way. Got my card ready."
Joe held up his Blockbuster card.
Joe: "Claire promised me she would have the movie ready, so all I have to do is to collect then."
Miriam: "Good, we leave in five minutes."
Joe: "Great, I'll call Nicky and tell him I'm on the way with the Christmas cookies."
Fifty minutes later, Miriam stopped the car in front of the hospital. Before Joe got out of the car, Miriam placed a hand over Joe's hands.
Miriam: "Listen, Joe. You know, just as I do that, Nicky has had a hard week. If he gets too tired at any point and asks you to leave, it isn't because of you. Do you understand?"
For as long as Joe had known Nicky, Nicky had been ill. Nicky was suffering from a neurological disease, which meant he could not walk, and his immune system was also affected by it. Because Nicky, at times, would get really ill, it meant he stayed in the hospital for long periods. And Joe would visit Nicky every day if possible if Nicky were in the hospital.
Joe: "I do understand, Mom. And it isn't Nicky I'm mad at if it happens. It is the disease. Just like Nicky is."
Miriam hugged Joe.
Miriam: "When you get home, we talk more about it, okay?"
Joe: "Okay. Can I go now? I haven't seen Nicky in ten days."
Miriam: "Yes, you can, unless you want me to go with you."
Joe rolled his eyes.
Joe: "I thought we agreed that now I'm twelve, I can go by myself."
Miriam: "Sorry, I forgot you are twelve. I thought you were only seven."
Joe: "You are silly. And you know very well there were twelve candles in my birthday cake the last time since it was you who insisted on it."
Miriam: "Maybe I miscounted. It happens."
Joe: "I'm leaving now. Love you. And see you on Sunday."
Miriam grabbed Joe and tickled him. It made Joe laugh.
Miriam: "Have fun, Joe. And call if there is anything."
Joe: "I promise."
Joe hugged his Mother.
Joe: "Have fun with Aunt Noor. Say hi from me."
Miriam promised, and she didn't drive off before she saw Joe enter the elevator.