I woke up the next morning to the wonderful smell of blueberry pancakes. I walked out of the room and yelled down the stairs,
"Mmm smells amazing! Are those blueberry pancakes?"
I could here Anthony chuckling downstairs.
"Yep! Freshly made! Why don't you get your friend and come down to eat?"
"Okay!"
I excitedly walked into Josh's room to find him on the phone. He held his finger up to me to tell me to be quiet. I stopped and stood in my place.
"Oh, okay."
I was trying to hear who was on the other end, but I couldn't.
"Alright. Thanks for telling me."
There was a pause.
"Love you too. Bye, Dad."
He hung up the phone and sat on his bed. His back was facing me.
"Who was that?" I asked.
"Oh, uh, it was my dad."
"What did he say?"
I felt like something was wrong so I walked closer to him. Once I was beside him, I noticed a tear had gone down his face.
"Are you okay?"
"Oh, yeah, totally."
I gave a look to show him I wasn't buying it.
"Fine. My dad was calling to let me know that my mom is in the hospital."
"Oh my god what happened?"
"Uh, he said that her chest felt weird and she wasn't breathing normally."
I could tell that it was hard for Josh to tell me this, so I sat next to him and pulled him into a one armed hug.
"Do they know why?"
"He didn't say. I just hope,"
He stared to cry more.
"I'm sure she'll be okay, Josh."
He looked at me with sad eyes.
"I hope you're right."
There was a little pause of silence, but then he stood up.
"Well, I guess we should go down to eat."
I stayed seated on the bed.
"Josh."
"What?"
"I think you should go back and see her."
He looked a little surprised.
"But who would take you home?"
"Anthony could take me."
"But he's have to drive all the way back here afterwards."
I shrugged.
"I'm sure he won't mind."
"But,"
He stopped talking. It was clear he was trying to think of more excuses.
"Josh, are you afraid?"
"No. I just don't know if I'll be prepared for whatever the results are."
"That's called being scared."
"Whatever. Then yes. I am."
I stood up next to him. I grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
"You should go."
Another tear fell down his face, but he was smiling at me.
"Okay, I will."
We walked downstairs and we were instantly greeted by Anthony.
"There you guys are! Ready for - are you okay, buddy?"
Josh looked down.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm going back to New York now, though. Sorry you made me breakfast for nothing."
"Aren't you gonna eat before you leave?"
"Nah, I'll just stop somewhere."
"Alright then. See ya."
"Bye."
They shook hands and Josh and I walked outside. I hugged him, and he got in the car.
"Thanks for a great few days, Maggie. It was really fun."
"My pleasure. Now, don't miss me too much."
Josh giggled as he started the car.
"I'll try. See you later."
"Bye."
I waved to him as he drove away. When he was gone, I went back into the house. Anthony was standing right there when I got in.
"What was wrong with him?"
"Oh, his mom had to go to the hospital, so I told him he should go see her."
"Oh, okay. Well, wanna eat?"
"Yes. I'm starving!"
We went over to the table and ate the best blueberry pancakes I've ever had in my life.