31.  Did I Hear You Right
The next morning Mikey  met Jeff, an eighth grader who had missed a year of school battling cancer, as the boy got off the bus.

"How long?" Mikey asked, even though he knew the answer.

"One year today," Jeff said.  "Doesn't seem real."  As they walked, Jeff described his battle with cancer.  He told Mikey how he'd kept his spirits up, and  gotten through the fear and pain.  Mikey heard him without really listening.  He was anticipating their arrival at Jeff's homeroom.  Later, he'd be surprised he could recall  the boy's wisdom just when he most needed it.

"Surprise!" yelled Jeff's classmates, teachers, parents,  and doctor, a few nurses, the president of the school board, and a congressman.  A reporter from the local paper snapped a picture.

"Your mother let me know today was your anniversary.  She arranged the whole thing."

Today I will be grateful for wisdom.

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant (c) 2016 by Ken Montrose

Mikey, Repulsive, and Repugnant is a work of fiction.  Any resemblance between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:
http://www.amazon.com/Ken-Montrose/e/B001K8MG0S