Making Wishes

All through his childhood John had been fascinated by stories about making wishes. He spent a lot of time thinking about the wishes he would make, if he was given the chance: a crock of gold, a white stallion, a magic cloak. His elder brother Colin was always pragmatic, he'd wish for another three wishes straight away so he would have even more wishes. John had never found out what Colin's wishes would be. He couldn't think what Colin may wish: in his eyes, Colin was perfect.

John's favourite wish was that his mother and father would marry again. They'd fall in love  and there would be a big wedding with a huge cake and lots of dancing and laughter. His uncle would make jokes and his mother would smile again.

As he grew up John still diced with chance in different ways. If he took his red pencil case to school then he'd pass his exam. If he walked home through the park then his mother would have made him a nice tea. If he tidied up his bedroom then his father would visit. If he learned to swim then his father would take them on holiday. If the traffic light stayed green then he'd pass his test. If he wore his grey boxers then Felicity Markham would go out with him. If he lost a few pounds and got into the rowing team then she'd want to marry him. If he got a first class honours in his Law degree then Colin would always come back safely from his high risk job working as a diver on the North Sea oil platforms.

It was here that things started to go wrong and John faltered a bit. He got his first class degree and Colin was flown by emergency helicopter from the North Sea and in danger of losing his leg. . They got a telegram saying Colin was in a bad way.
  John went off to visit him straight away. He took grapes, books, chocolates and some of the girly mags that he knew his brother liked so much. If he found a parking space then everything would be all right.

The hospital car park was full. John was determined to find a space, his brother's life depended on it. He waited in the car at the entrance to the car park. He looked down on his lap and was surprised to see his hands clasped tightly together.

He looked up to the sky. 'Please, please, please, let Colin be alright.'

There was a rap on the window.

'If you're waiting for a space mate, I'm on my way out. The red Fiesta over there.'

Encouraged by this answer to his wish John parked the car and grabbed his gifts for Colin and went to find the ward. His phone rang, it was Felicity.

'Just to say I'm thinking of you John, send your brother my love and tell him I'll come next time. It's best that it's just you today.' Her voice changed, excited and joyful she whispered, 'I felt the baby move today , it's a sign.'

As he walked in to the ward John had to try hard not to cry at the sight of his brother. He was all bandaged up and his thick curly hair had been cut  so short you could see his scalp. His remaining leg was in a splint and his arms were limp at his sides. Only when he turned and saw John was there a sign of the handsome man he was. His face lit up with a radiant smile and he struggled to sit up.

'Hey little brother look at you! What great news about you becoming a dad. You'll be the best one ever.'

He sank back on the pillows and a pretty nurse rushed up to steady him.

Colin winked at her and she giggled. John sat down on the chair by the bed.

'You had us worried all right, don't go doing that any more. Here just a few things to keep you going. Felicity asked me to make a list of all the things you need, and she'll come with me tomorrow.'

He popped a grape into Colin's mouth and then took one for himself.

'Felicity's great, you chose well there mate. Tell her I'll be over soon and want one of her special roasts.'

Colin moved his arm and the magazines fell on the floor. The nurse came over to pick them up and when she saw the covers she laughed and carefully placed them next to him. She turned to John,

'You must be the little brother he talks about so much. Nice to meet you. My name's Lisa, you've got a great brother and no need to worry about him he's going to be fine. He's a fighter. I'm going to look after him, personally.'

She gave Colin a look of such tenderness and admiration that John caught his breath. There was an intensity of feeling there that hinted at a lot more than a professional interest.

Hope and relief flooded through John and he knew just how frightened he had been, how much his brother meant to him, how much he had been praying every day all of his life that his brother would be all right, and it was only now he realised it.

'You're on to a good thing there Colin, I think she's got the hots for you. I don't know how you do it with your leg stuck up in the air and bandages everywhere.'

Colin gave one of his wicked grins, 'Not everywhere mate, not everywhere.'

Later that evening when the visitors had left and there was a stillness on the ward Lisa came to Colin and sat by his bed. She took his hand in hers and gently squeezed it.
Colin closed his eyes. He thought of his brother and how all the wishes he had made for him had come true. John had always excelled at school and university and found true love and now was about become a father. He returned the squeeze to Lisa's hand and then opened his eyes and smiled at her.

Maybe he could make a wish for himself now.