Page 68 of The Encounter
“Jace!” Brianna cried when she spotted him. She ran over and threw her arms around his waist. Maddie stepped aside.
“Hi Brianna! Do you like it?”
Her head bobbed up and down. She wore a simple red dress that made her look more alive and much healthier than he knew she was. A sparkly headband adorned her bald head as she forwent the wig. Brianna always attempted to embrace her appearance, hoping it would help the other kids to feel less self-conscious. Brianna had her trials with the medication and knew she must be feeling better to be running over to him.
Or she was feeling well enough by the excitement that she could force down the awful way she felt for just a bit of excitement for the night.
“I do! I approve! And I see you got my ice sculptures.”
He laughed. “Your wish is my command.”
Several of the children came over to him and he said his hellos and gave out high fives, fist bumps, and hugs to all of them. Various nurses and doctors on duty stood around them, still wearing their hospital attire. He nodded hello to all of them.
A voice boomed over the speakers. “Hi everyone! We will get started in just a minute if you’d like to take your seats.”
Jace waved at the kids as the hospital staff ushered them over to their reserved tables.
“Wow, they really love you,” Maddie whispered.
“And I love them.”
The benefit was dear to him, as it was one of the few things he could do to truly bring a smile to the children’s faces, along with a lasting memory. Playing at the hospital with them was something they enjoyed, but this seemed to be the one thing they spoke about the most. When the original sponsors of the benefit could no longer do it anymore, he immediately stepped in. It was something he wanted to do more than anything, and the opportunity presented itself at the perfect time. He had just graduated from college and was garnering a lot of press from being published in Forbes’ 30 under 30 list. Taking over the fundraising event benefited the hospital greatly because of his publicity. He strived to make it the event of the year in Modesto and always succeeded.
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Maddie walked with Jace toward their table near the stage. She gripped her small black clutch tighter and tighter the closer they got. Jace’s parents were already seated and chatting with a few other people sitting at the table. Her heart thundered.
“Mom! Dad!” Jace said as they approached.
His parents turned and smiled, standing up to hug him.
“Jace, you’re looking dashing, as always,” his mom said. She was a petite woman with blonde hair pulled up in an intricate twist at the back of her head. She wore a long purple lace dress with cap sleeves that complimented her thin frame.
His father, who wore a black tux, was larger than the average man, with graying hair mixed in with his natural brown hair. His face was clean shaven and Maddie could easily see the resemblance between father and son.
“Mom, you look gorgeous,” Jace said. “Dad, looking good.”
“You too, my boy!” his dad said.
Maddie watched the exchange in amusement as if they were a family in an old film. It was unlike anything she had ever seen.
Families actually interact like this?
“Mom, Dad, this is Maddie.”
“It’s so great to meet you,” his mom said. “I’m Jacqueline, but you can call me Jackie.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Maddie said as Jackie pulled her into a hug.
“I’m Dan,” his dad said.
Maddie shook his hand. “It’s nice to meet you as well.”
Jace then turned her attention toward the two remaining couples at the table. “Maddie, this is Leo and his wife, Sandra. And this is Clancy and his wife Jen. Leo and Clancy are board members of the foundation my parents and I opened for the hospital.”
They all said their hellos before they took a seat at the table.
“So Jace told us you work in marketing for a clothing company?” Jackie asked.
